A/N Welcome back to Unbroken Bond, readers! Just a reminder, the poll for whether I should do a Halloween Special is still up, so be sure to check it out at my profile page! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 13: Reunion

(Natsu's POV)

This is just great...

I stare at the ice spear that I barely managed to dodge with a strange type of detachment. Even though there are two ice users here on this mission, I know immediately who this magic belonged to. after all, he specialized in making inanimate objects; a spear is no exception.

"Is this spear..." Lucy started, but her voice faded away in confusion.

Before I could confirm her suspicions, another voice cuts me off.

"You bastard!" the voice was filled with enough anger to make me flinch. No doubt that anger is directed at me, and I could probably guess what that was all about.

I turn my head and barely dodge - again - Gray, who charged at me like a bull. His entire body was covered in scorch marks, and I look away in guilt.

'That must've hurt,' I thought, faintly remembering the time when I was burning Gray mercilessly while Lucy was begging me to stop.

"W-wait, Gray! Stop!" Lucy shouted for Gray to stop just as he was about to lunge at me again.

"Huh?!" he growled...? I don't know what else to call it. You know, like the way he always says his "huh", I guess. Anyways, read on.

Gray looked at me, and I guess he kinda understood the situation. Still, he looks just as pissed as he did a moment ago, which I take as a bad sign. Well, I can't blame him. Nobody would be glad to have their own friend turn against you, let alone almost burn you to crisp, even if it was against their own will.

"Calm down, Gray!" Lucy yelled.

Not listening to her at all, he pounced at me. But this time, I didn't dodge. Instead, I stood my ground and waited for his fist to connect with my poor jaw. Sure enough, my jaw started aching real bad.

"Are you satisfied yet?" I ask, rubbing my jaw to ease the pain a little.

Gray smirked. "I can't believe I was beaten by someone like you."

I return the smirk with one of my own and held out a hand. "How 'bout a rematch when we get back?" I challenged him.

He took my outstretched hand and shook it with resolve, leveling me with unwavering eyes. "You bet!"

And there was Lucy, who looked like she was just relived that the fight was over.

(Lucy's POV)

I sighed in relief when Natsu and Gray made up with each other. After having to deal with so many things, the last thing I would want is to have my friends fight against one another again, especially because everything has finally gone somewhat back to normal. Now we just need to defeat Zero and stop the Nirvana one and for all, which I have no idea how to do. And whatever we need to do, we have to do it fast. Based on what Zero hinted at, time is running out.

Which reminds me...

"We need to meet up with Happy," I pointed out. At least I didn't forget about Happy this time - something I'm actually proud of doing, thank you very much.

Gray's eyes widened at the thought of Happy.

"Oh yeah, where did he end up at anyways?"

The pride I had a second ago vanished. And I looked away, embarrassed. "A-ah, who knows? I just kinda found him lying around..." I lied, not wanting to deal with all the questions - or so, that's my excuse. "C'mon, let's get going."

I took off before they could ask any other questions, not looking back. They probably will follow anyways.

'I hope Happy doesn't end up getting mad at me again for leaving him all alone," I silently prayed.

(Happy's POV)

When you're a cat - magical or not, the best thing that can happen to you is having all the fish in the entire world given to you anytime of the day, just like a royalty. That is exactly what I'm seeing right now. Fish. Everywhere. Around. Me. And the best thing is: no one is here to stop me from gluttonously eating the fish! Oh my gosh, I'm in heaven right now!

And then someone shakes me awake...the heaven is no more.

I wake up with drool on my mouth, and reality crashes into me. The fish...it was all just a dream?!

Imagine Happy with a shocked look on his face and his heart breaking at the thought of his too-good-to-be-true dream.

As I was busy mourning (on the inside) for the loss of fish, the same person who shook me awake spoke.

"Oh, you're finally awake!"

Even without looking up, I know who that voice belongs to. My immediate reaction was to freeze, fear taking over my little cat brain. But there was a warmth in it that I could not forget. Ever. Tilting my head upwards, I saw Natsu grinning at me, not one of a predator, but of a friend, a partner. Not able to hold down my joy, I summoned my wings and jumped at Natsu.

"Natsu!" I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks.

He looked down at me apologetically. "Sorry to worry you, Happy."

Another voice coughed, as if to get our attention. I look over to see Gray.

"Sorry to break the moment, but we should head back to Erza soon," he said matter-of-factly. Oh, right. I completely forgot that we left Erza and Jellal to go and reunite with Natsu. They must be really worried right now. And we still need to go ahead and save Carla and Wendy's guild - maybe Carla will like me more if I save her guild from utter destruction.

I guess the realization on my face is clear enough, since no one needed any further explanation for me. Just as we were about to leave, Natsu suddenly stopped, and we stopped with him.

"What's wrong, Natsu?" Lucy asked quietly, as if trying to keep her voice neutral.

Natsu cocked his head to one side, as if trying to hear something we couldn't After a long pause, he said. "Someone's using telepathy."

For a moment, the rest of us were confused, but then, a voice pooped up inside my head, loud and clear, as if we were talking face to face.

"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" a familiar voice resonated withing my brain.

"Hibiki?" Lucy said out loud, but I could still hear her telepathically.

"Yeah, it's me. Listen, I think I found a way to destroy the Nirvana!" he said.

I'm so sorry for another interruption. I just want to let you know that I will be skipping over the telepathic conversation since it pretty much stays the same (and because I'm lazy). Just so you know, after the Author's Notes end, the story takes place after the telepathic conversation, where Natsu is heading towards Zero (Lacrima #1). Anyways, enjoy reading the rest of the chapter!

(Natsu's POV)

There's a reason why I decided to choose the first lacrima After everything I did, I have to do something to redeem myself. Thanks to my nose, I can smell Zero's stench from miles away. I swear he's going to pay for making me hurt my comrades and those I have sworn to protect.

'You better be ready for me, Zero." I thought.

...

As I go through the other side of the dark tunnel, that horrible smell of Zero became stronger and more distinct. Gosh, how did I ever yet used to that smell?!

"Glad you could make it," Zero said in that disgusting voice of his when I reached the end of the tunnels.

"Shut up," I growl, my eyes narrowing and my hands lighting on fire.

Let the fight begin.

A/N Well, that's it for this chapter! Sorry that this chapter was a bit short... In the coming chapter, there's probably a time skip during the fight between Zero and Natsu, due to the similarities with the anime (again, I'm lazy to write it all out). So that's something to look forward to! Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter and thank you for reading!