Hey Guys,

Okay, the climax is finally here! There will definitely be one more chapter and then an epilogue after this. I'm also playing around with the idea of a sequel, since I did leave the option for one. Anyway, I have an idea but it will definitely be even more fan-girl than this one if I stick to the current plot line. I'll make my decision soon.

As always, hope you enjoy and feel free to leave your comments and reviews.

- Singed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

P.S. Good job for those of you who saw right through me.

The reaction was instantaneous. Levy screams echoed, wrenching the hearts of everyone. Wendy burst into tears. Gray jumped back in horror as rain poured down from the heavens due to Juvia. Carla and Happy huddled crying with Wendy and Erza screamed in fury. Natsu however created a massive explosion. He'd seen the master's intent just before he started moving the knife. Natsu hit the force field with so much magical energy that to this day people wonder how he could have channeled that much energy with just his own flesh at one time. His reputation helped since channeling large amounts of energy is a trade mark of his, but this was still on a whole other level, even for him. He should have been dead.

The force field shattered and rained on the house and the grounds. The shockwave caused the house to shake and there wasn't a window left. As the dust cleared, the party stood up after being knocked to the ground. They saw Natsu standing over Lucy's body. They couldn't see his face but they prepared for his wrath. Gajeel, Gray, and Erza looked at each other. This was it. If Natsu snapped, they'd kill him for his own good. The master was currently hobbling away from them, obviously stunned but still determined to run away.

"I'll go after him," Juvia said.

"I'll go with you," Wendy volunteered.

"No," Natsu's voice left no room for arguing. "He's mine. Besides I need the rest of you to search the house."

"What for?" Gajeel asked.

"To search for the real Lucy. This isn't her." Everyone sagged a little, pitying him. He wasn't coming to terms with reality. How could he determine that this wasn't her? It was obviously her.

"Natsu," Wendy tried.

"This isn't her!" He screamed, turning around to face them, his eyes wild. "It's a copy, almost an exact one, but there something to the smell, just under the surface. It isn't right. Plus, I'd know if Lucy were dead!" He touched his chest where the bond lay and Gajeel nodded to Erza and Gray. He understood what he meant.

"Well," Lucy's voice suddenly said from the ground, "I guess I'll have to do a better job next time." Everyone jumped back and looked at the ground, now staring at Gemini. The twins floated up and stared at Natsu, who nodded towards them.

The twins laughed and transformed into Natsu. In his serious voice, they said, "Better get hunting flame brain." For the first time in months a smirked graced Natsu's lips and he ran off.

Ten Minutes Earlier

"Emma," the master's voice called from the other side, "is the sacrifice finally awake." Lucy swallowed hard.

"Yes," Emma called, pushing Lucy behind the changing screen, just as the door opened. "She's getting changed into some real clothes."

The master said something else, but Lucy wasn't listening. As Emma had pushed her behind the screen, she'd given Lucy two things. The first were her keys. Her heart leapt at the sight of them and she could have hugged the girl. The second was a bust of magical energy. Lucy checked this in a split second and realized that this girl, her friend, had given her just enough to override the master's spell and call one of her spirits. In utter silence she called Gemini. Utterly silent, they greeted her with joy and hugged her fiercely.

"Come out now Lucy!" The master called. "It is time we sealed your fate." Gemini transformed into Lucy and stepped out. They were dragged out by the master, complaining of rough treatment. Emma, falling for the act gasped and rushed around obviously trying to decide what she could do.

"Emma," Lucy hissed.

"Lucy!"

"Shhh. Come here." Emma did as requested and hugged her.

"Oh Lucy, I thought that he had you."

"No, that is one of my spirits, Gemini. How did you do all this Emma?"

"Well, when Mikel broke his spell it would seem that I broke mine as well; although I didn't realize this until afterwards. I continued to feed the master my power, but it was of my own will. I have been defying him for days. I happened to find your keys when I went to his study, looking for him to explain that you still weren't up."

"How did you know that giving me that magical energy would be enough to counteract his spell over me?"

Emma shrugged. "I didn't. I just did what felt right." Lucy smiled and hugged her friend. Just as Lucy pulled away, they felt the house rock and the windows in the room shattered. Screaming, Lucy covered Emma and they waited until everything grew quiet again.

"The barrier's gone," Emma said, looking outside. Lucy could see it too. A smile began to spread, which she lost to a new shaking of the house. Only this time, it sounded less like magic breaking and more like a house exploding and catching on fire.

"That would be Natsu," Lucy smiled as she stood and began racing towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Emma asked.

"Towards the fire. Where there's a flame, there's a Natsu. Go find a way out Emma, because I'm about to run into danger."

"You mean the master?" Emma's voice followed as Lucy started running down the hallway towards the distance orange glow.

"No," Lucy called back. "Natsu may not mean to be, but he's the most dangerous person I know!"

Natsu was on the hunt. He had to find him. He had to find him and kill him! He deserved to die. He needed to die! Natsu had gotten a whiff of his scent just before the coward ran off. Now, he was like a blood hound. He wasn't giving up until that scent was destroyed, burned, and purified.

The small part of him that wasn't running with this insane agenda, hoped against hope that he'd run into none of his friends now. The girls he knew he'd just ignore, but the boys, yeah, he'd probably kill them. It was this certainty that hurt Natsu the most. He'd do anything for his guild, but at the moment, it would appear that he'd actually do anything for Lucy. Of course, she'd hate him if he did that, so it wasn't really for Lucy anymore. It was for his crazy instincts that wouldn't leave him alone!

Suddenly, the scent of his pray was right there and Natsu dove into some bushed next to the house. The man was waiting for him and he struck Natsu across the face with some type of magical instrument. Whatever it was hurt!

"Gaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" He screamed as he lit his body, the bushes, and the side of the house on fire. He'd hoped to get the loser in front of him too, but he'd been just fast enough to avoid the flames.

"So dragon slayer, it would seem that you and I are finally going to battle."

"Won't be much of a battle." Natsu said, stepping out of the bushes and walking towards the man. "In the past there always seemed to be some type of restraint on me whenever I fought. Maybe it was my own willpower to not destroy everything, but that's gone. You made sure that my sanity is all but gone. I will destroy you and this house without restraint, but first you're going to tell me."

During his speech, Natsu continued walking towards the man. The faceless man backed up each time but when Natsu lunged for him the man couldn't react quickly enough. Grabbing the front of his shirt, Natsu suddenly found himself face to face with the faceless man. Whatever enchantment he'd place over himself couldn't handle the heat radiating off of Natsu and it began to melt. It was relieving to see eyes actually looking back at him. They looked familiar.

"You're going to tell me where my Lucy is."

"Dead!" The man laughed. "You're more gone than I thought. Didn't you just see me slit her throat?" Natsu tightened his grip and slammed the man into the ground over and over again.

"Natsu stop!" Erza commanded.

Natsu ignored her. "No! Not until he tells me where she is!"

"Dead," his voice croaked from his broken body, "I killed her myself. My best and final revenge for this dragon slayer." The master slumped in a faint. Natsu gripped the unconscious man and started to smolder his clothes. He'd burn him to a crisp and then go on another hunt.

"Stop him!" Levy cried behind him.

"Yeah, you have to do something!" Natsu snorted. Like anyone could stop him now.

Suddenly, the breeze shifted and it brought a voice and a scent. "Natsu," it called gently. "Stop. You don't have to do this now." Her voice, her scent, it was like his world was finally clearing after months. He dropped the man and turned slowly, seeing his Lucy limping towards him. Juvia and Wendy were helping her to walk across the lawn. Her ankle was badly injured, she was covered in bruises, she was coated in soot, and based on her voice she'd breathed in plenty of smoke. But she was perfect. His Lucy was perfect.

Lucy stumbled as she raced through the burning halls. She had to make it, she just had too! It had been a year, the worst possible year of her life! She had been heartbroken, she'd been scared, she'd been alone, she'd been guilty, and worst of all, she had led the people she loved into terrible danger. Somewhere she knew she wasn't really at fault. She had just been the crux of someone else's plane to destroy Natsu.

"Idiot," she whispered as she turned a corner, racing for the stairs. It wasn't his fault either, not really. They had both made plenty of enemies along the way and she wasn't stupid. She'd always assumed that one would try and come back for revenge. No, she wasn't stupid, she'd just been naive to believe that none of their former enemies would be patient enough to go through with such an elaborate plan. They'd waited. Waited for what they'd apparently figured out well before anyone else had. If she'd had time and if she'd been foolish enough to believe that Natsu would leave him alive, she'd ask what had given it away. Obviously, this had all started after her and Natsu had figured it out, but still, the enemy had known for at least a year before they had. So seriously, how did that work?

Suddenly, a section of wall exploded and flames licked at her as she just barely side stepped them. She had to get out now!

"Lucy!" That voice! Turning, she saw Gray and Juvia down at the end of the hall.

"Gray! What are you doing here?"

"Helping Natsu rescue you! What do you think? Come on, we have to get you down the stairs and out of here before this whole place goes!" Lucy nodded and raced after them. They reached the stairs soon enough and when Lucy saw the destruction of the great hall, she gasped. It had once been so beautiful, but now… it was in utter pieces. Nothing stood and the house groaned with the fire and the destruction. Gray and Juvia had raced forward, passing her in their hurry to escape. Gray finally realized that she'd paused at the top.

"Lucy, come on! What are you…" Gray never got to finish, because the stairs holding her collapsed. Lucy rolled as soon as she hit the ground, but not before an excruciating pain raced up from her ankle.

"Gaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" A voice screamed from somewhere outside and a huge fire explosion lit up the windows.

"Natsu," Lucy whispered, knowing that scream.

"Love Rival!" Juvia exclaimed leaning down, examining her leg which was starting to swell.

"Juvia," Lucy said through clenched teeth, "you should know by now that I am not, nor ever will be, your love rival."

"Yeah, seriously Juvia," Gray said. "I figured that you'd know that by now." A pleased blush raced up her face, and Lucy paused to look at them. Apparently, a lot had happened in the nine months she'd actually been captured. She'd have to find out later.

"Gray," Juvia, finally said, "Lucy cannot walk." Lucy was concerned over the strange look that passed between them. It was a look of defeat.

"Well Gray, just carry me out."

"I can't," he answered immediately.

"Why, are you injured?"

"No."

"Then why not?"

"Because if I do, if any of us men touch you, Natsu will kill us!" Lucy honed in on Gray's eyes and saw that he spoke the truth. The building was burning around them and Lucy was in serious pain, but all Lucy was aware of that she was going to have to break Natsu of his protective streak.

"Well then Juvia will just have to help me. My other ankle is fine." It took a little longer than it should have to get righted, but Lucy was hobbling briskly towards the door as the walls and ceilings started caving in. She'd have to speak to her mate about his destruction later. It had been a nice house.

"So this assumed death threat," Lucy said, as Gray kicked the doors off their hinges and helped Juvia and Lucy through the door. "Is it for real?"

"Yes. He never came right out and said it, but Natsu is going to kill someone today and I am doing everything I can to make sure it isn't me."

"I see."

"Lucy," Juvia cut in. "Natsu isn't quite himself. He will need to be handled with care." Lucy nodded and continued limping on when Gajeel and an obviously pregnant, though still tiny Levy, came around the corner. Happy, Carla, and Wendy were close behind.

"Lucy!" Levy squealed and ran up, hugging her.

"See, I told you Levy. Never mistrust my noise again."

"Oh, like the time you told me the milk was fine."

"It was! For the stomach of a dragon slayer that is." The banter continued, but Lucy was looking around for her pink haired partner.

"Where's Natsu?"

"Natsu stop!" Erza's voice commanded around the corner. The group hurried as best they could, hindered by the injured Lucy. When Lucy did finally make it around the corner, she saw something that broke her heart. Natsu, crazy eyed and broken, slamming the master over and over again into the ground. He'd always been reckless but never crazy.

"No! Not until he tells me where she is!" Natsu finally answered Erza. She was watching the dragon slayer with hooded eyes and Lucy knew that Erza was preparing herself to stop Natsu at any cost. Lucy motioned for Juvia to help her forward, grateful for when Wendy joined in to help.

"Dead," the master's voice croaked from his broken body, "I killed her myself. My best and final revenge for this dragon slayer." Still a good ways away, it took Lucy and the others a few seconds to see the smoke rising from the man's clothes.

"Stop him!" Levy cried behind her, clutching at Gajeel.

"Yeah, you have to do something!" Wendy said next to her. It would seem that everyone knew that if anyone could stop Natsu it was her. She was still so far away! How could she stop him? Her voice was raw and cracked. She needed to reach him somehow. Suddenly, Wendy said something under her breath and a breeze shot forth behind them.

Lucy knew help when she received it. "Natsu," she called more gently than she felt. "Stop. You don't have to do this now." The response was instantaneous. Natsu dropped the man and turned. His eyes were wide and looked at her like she was the most wonderful thing he'd ever seen. Well, she could understand since she was feeling the same. He was bruised, bleeding, and definitely disheveled, but he was the most perfect thing she'd ever glimpsed.

She continued to limp forward a few more moments, when he finally took a small step forward. She smiled at the move and this seemed to be what opened the flood gate. He was running now. Juvia and Wendy had just enough time to jump aside as he reached her and picked her up. He cradled her, molding her firmly, but gently to him. Lucy wrapped her own arms around the dragon slayer and she stroked his hair as he buried his head under her chin, breathing in her scent deeply.

She felt the coolness of water as it met her skin and at first, she though it was her own tears streaming down her face. She realized after a moment that they were Natsu's. Lucy clutched him harder and both of them began to cry in earnest. The rest of their party was forgotten and they were glad for it.

"Happy," Erza commanded, "you and Carla need to go back to town as fast as possible and let Mest know that we have caught this master. He should be there by now. Just lead them here. Gajeel, you and Gray need to tie him up and put him somewhere where our fire breather can't get to him." The commands were followed and Erza had Levy and Wendy begin rearranging the cart to transport Lucy and Levy back down the hill.

"Wendy, do you think you could look at Lucy's ankle?" Erza asked once the cart was ready.

"Umm, maybe in a bit. I don't think I want to interrupt them." Erza followed her gaze. She was half worried that perhaps they were making out, or worse. But no, they were still hugging. The crying was over but it was still such an intimate moment that Erza smiled.

"Yes, I see your point."

"Natsu," Lucy finally whispered. She had been aware of some of the activity around them, but she had been to content to really pay attention. "My legs are falling asleep. Could we go somewhere else?" They had knelt sometime during their reunion and suddenly Lucy was struck with just how uncomfortable this all was.

Natsu pulled away from her and smiled with his trademark grin. "Sorry Lucy, I'll fix it." He stood and picked her up before carrying her to the cart. Lucy may have been only partially aware of the commotion around them, but Natsu was still on high alert. He'd taken in everything, because while he may finally have had Lucy back, he was still worried someone may have tried to hurt her again. Thus, he knew why the girls had rearranged the cart.

"Wendy," he called.

"Yes?"

"You can look at her ankle now." Natsu took a step back and crossed his arms, looking at the girl.

"Oh, like right now?"

"Yeah. Is there a problem?"

"No, no," the obviously concerned girl said. "No problem, it's just with you standing there, watching me like that, well it makes me nervous."

"Oh," Natsu said, taking a step back. "Is that better?" Wendy smiled, but it was just to hide her unease. "Not really, but it'll do." Wendy climbed into the cart and began healing Lucy's leg. Lucy was aware of Natsu's ever watching eyes so she tried not to grimace.

"How have you been Wendy?"

"Oh, good Lucy! Especially compared to you! I mean, it must have been awful!"

"Well, it wasn't pleasant, but until the end, it wasn't too bad. In fact, I made two new friends. Wait," Lucy said, in near panic, "Where's Emma?"

"I'm here!" Emma called, racing around the building, followed quickly by Mikel. Natsu tensed as the other male grew closer to his still unclaimed mate but Lucy's outstretched hand, grabbing his arm, stopped him.

"I'm glad you're safe," she said, smiling.

"Yeah! I was around back, trying to save some of the more priceless items, when Mikel found me."

"I scolded her for being stupid, then told her where she could find you." Lucy noticed that he took Emma's hand in his and Lucy smiled at how Emma lit up.

"So what will you do now?" Erza asked.

"I'm going after my brother. I'm not entirely sure where to find him, but he needs to know that Emma and I are free. From there, I'm not sure."

"Well, you obviously have some impressive magic. When you find your bother, you should think about joining a guild." Lucy rolled her eyes at how this was Erza's answer for everything. Mikel however seemed to take the advice seriously and Emma squeezed his hand.

"What of you Emma," Lucy asked. "What are you going to do?"

"Go with Mikel, I mean if that's alright." Mikel seemed shocked at the announcement, but a brilliant smile lit his face and he nodded.

"I'd take you anywhere Emma."

"Then you should leave before Mest arrives with the unit from the magic council. You may have kidnapped Lucy under orders and magic control, but the magic council may not care." Mikel nodded and taking Emma's hand once more, pulled her along. Emma stopped and raced back to Lucy one more time. She jumped up into the cart and hugged her.

"Thanks for being my friend."

"Thanks for risking your life for me." Emma smiled and jumped down, racing off into the trees with Mikel.

"And don't be a stranger! Come visit us!"

"We will," the call answered. Lucy smiled, as Wendy finally stood.

"Well, that's as good as I'll get it Lucy. It'll require a few days rest though."

"Yes," Erza said. "Once we get to town, we'll stay there for a week. Everyone needs some time to recover and you two," she said pointing to Natsu and Lucy, "need to get this bond finished." Lucy blushed scarlet, as Natsu shot her a devilish grin, one that spoke of promises. Wendy covered her mouth and Levy laughed, remembering her first time with Gajeel fondly.

"Erza!" Mest called from the trees.

"Ah Mest, I'm glad you could make it so promptly. Come, I'll take you to the prisoner." Natsu stiffened and watched them walk off. He wanted nothing more than to go kill that man, but he also knew that if he did, now that the battle was over that it'd be murder and he'd never see Lucy again.

"Natsu," Lucy called, seeing his mind. "Why don't you come in here? It's not moving yet." Wendy and Levy left discreetly as Natsu did as requested. He laid down next to Lucy and curled around her, covering her protectively.

"I missed you Luce," he said, playing with her fingers.

Lucy sighed and kissed his hand, cradling it next to her chest. "You know," she said after a moment, "I always thought that I'd never feel so lonely as I did when I was a prisoner in my father's house. But these past few months, I've never felt more alone in my life." She turned so she could face him.

"Fairy Tail maybe my home Natsu, but you, you are my reason for breathing. You saved me and brought me to my home and all my friends." Natsu smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I know how you feel. I was literally losing my mind without you. Now I'll get what little I had back, I guess." Lucy smiled and kissed him properly. She meant it to be chaise, but Natsu's dragon instincts took over and he grabbed her head, deepening it. Lucy, a bit surprised, but longing for the contact all the same, ran her hands through his hair, helping him deepen it. It was when his tongue slipped into her mouth that Lucy realized that she might have to put the brakes on this now or risk being caught in the act by their friends. Luckily, Happy came along.

"Natsu!" He called, flying back through the trees. Natsu sighed in annoyance, but nipped her bottom lip as if to say 'we'll finish this later.'

"Yeah," he called sitting up.

"How's Lucy!"

"I'm fine Happy, you can come in," Happy flew in speedily and attached himself to Lucy.

"I was so worried," he cried, and Lucy hugged him.

"Don't cry Happy, I'm fine now."

"Well, I for one, am most glad for your recovery," Carla said, flying in a much more dignified manner than Happy had.

"Thanks Carla."

"Thank you," Mest's voice called from around the building, "We'll take him from here. I have an entire unit waiting for us in the town. He'll be imprisoned until his trial, and we'll inform you as to when that it."

"Thank you Mest." He nodded and a soldier he'd brought with him began escorting the master towards the forest. Natsu stiffened and positioned himself in front of Lucy. The master however, turned and saw her staring back.

"No!" He screamed. "You should be dead! I killed you! I killed you!" The last words faded as they were transported away from the house. Something about his face however nagged at Lucy.

"Where have we seen him before Natsu?"

Natsu, who had been staring after him, snorted in disgust. "I never forget a smell. I fought and defeated his gang of lowlifes just before I meet you. It was pretty simple and it turned out they were doing some very illegal things, more than anyone was aware. I thought he'd been locked up, but we met him again, about a year later. I recognized the smell, but I never bothered to go after him because he was obviously just an accomplice in that whole thing. I wish I had. If he'd been locked up a second time, maybe none of this would have happened."

"Which job? The robbers in Maple?"

"No, those smugglers in Dogwood."

"Oh," Lucy said, sitting up, suddenly remembering. "That's where I saw him! You and Gray were in there, beating everyone up. I chased a guy down an alley and hit him with my whip. He dropped something. It turned out to be that unbelievably powerful magical item the council had been looking for at the time, the one that got stolen. That must have been why he was so angry with me. He obviously wanted it." Natsu nodded and watched as everyone else in their group returned. Natsu took a deep breath and let it out. For the first time in months, things felt right.