Chapter 35: An Enraged Dragon

Natsu engulfed his fist and forearm in fire and lightning and sent a devastating blow down upon Erza, her armor however insulating most of the damage but not leaving her entirely unscratched.

"Face it girl. We both know this fight is about to end. You're weak. A weak fairy like master said. You should be back down there hung in chains from the roof as Wendy and I beat you senselessly." He said in a taunting manner. Erza was about respond back, however before she could a figure made a beeline between them causing any altercation to come to a halt.

As both fighters zoned in on the figure it turned out to be a blonde haired girl.

"Who are you?" Erza asked.

"I'm Alice, the water dragon slayer." She responded then quickly bolted to Natsu's side and started frantically speaking to him with clear panic in her voice.

"Natsu, Wendy is in danger!" She shouted at him.

Hearing that his love was in danger, his keen abilities sharpened. "What do you mean Alice?"

"There was several earth quakes that destroyed the cliff we were observing off of. A giant hole hole opened up and we began to slide down near it with all the rumbling movement. I nearly fell down it before Wendy saved me with her sky dragon magic. However, a final much larger earth quake shattered the edge she was climbing up off and she went tumbling down the hole with rocks and debris following her. I'm worried for her Natsu!" She finished explaining with tears forming near her eyes.

Shit. Natsu thought to himself. "Listen Alice, lead me to where she is and we'll find her together."

She quickly nodded and began to job ahead of him. His eagerness to save Wendy after finding out she was in trouble led the dragon slayer to let his guard down in a crucial moment, completely forgetting he was in the middle of a fight. The next few moments happened so quick their was nothing he could do. Erza Scarlet had summoned a more enhanced lightning spear in her hand and had aimed it towards him. However, her true intention was never to strike down Natsu then. She knew how to win this fight. Letting the fire dragon slayer raise his flames back up in anticipation for an attack that never came, because for once since this fight had started...he wasn't her target. Releasing the spear's magic abilities she let loose a LIGHTNING BEAM! The attack was aimed at Alice. Sensing the danger she was in, Natsu lunged out to intercept the attack shouting, "ALICE!" However, that's what Erza had expected which is why she aimed the attack on a slant so he wouldn't be able to. As the blonde haired Grimiore Heart mage turned around to see why he was calling her name, the lightning charged beam made a direct hit into her chest. Titania released more lightning beams as Natsu tried to take them out, but failed to. They impaled into her shoulder and more into her chest as the blonde stood gaping in shock before looking down feeling her energy beginning to leave her quickly.

"Shit, no no no no!" Natsu panicked as he ran to her side and cradled the young girl in his arms.

He put his hand on her stomach trying to put pressure, but the damage had been done to her significantly. She was dying. Erza Scarlet turned on her back and began to walk away a little giving the two a final moment since Titania knew what she had just done.

"N-natsu." Alice spoke.

"Shh. It's alright. You're gonna be fine." Natsu tried soothing her with clear panic in his tone.

"A-am I..." She started to speak and trailed off."

"What is it Alice?" He eagerly asked.

"A-m am I...you're apprentice?" She wondered.

"Yes, Yes. You and Wendy both. I have plans for all three of us to get stronger for the future so stick with me and then we'll go find Wendy okay!" He told her his plan.

"G-good. I-I'm glad...to of met someone like you N-natsu." Her stuttering had started to get worse which is what he feared.

"Hey, stick with me alright? Okay." He tried to tell her but to fell on deaf hears as she had began speaking.

"D-do you t-think that Auga and I-Igneel would have b-been friends?" She asked him wondering something about their parents.

"Yeah, I'm sure they woulda been great pals!" He grinned trying to cheer up the mood.

"Hey, Natsu?" She asked with no stutter in her voice as she raised her right arm that was dripping and covered in blood, placing it on his shoulder.

"Yeah, Alice?" He asked.

"P-please..." She began to trail off this time her breathing becoming slower as she struggled to finish her words.

"P-please what? Alice! Alice, stay with me!" He tried to encourage her.

"P-please save Wendy..." Her voice finished in a raspy light whisper as she glanced up one more time into his eyes and tried to muster a grin, but failed. He sensed her blood run cold, her chest quit moving and felt her arm slide off his shoulder while watching it fall limply to her side.

"No...No...No! No! No!" Natsu shouted out with tears forming from his eyes as he watched Alice die right in his arms. His thoughts started washing away. He had failed his apprentice...he had failed to counter those lightning beams...he had failed to protect her. After quietly weeping to himself, he took his hands and lightly closed her eyelids in respect. He gently carried her over against a tree and laid her limp body on the ground as he promised her that he would not fail from here on out. That after he kicks Erza Scarlet's ass and takes revenge for what she has done that he will find Wendy and rescue her. With those vows, Natsu Dragneel made his final departure as he set his sights up on the hill which Erza rested awaiting him. A snarl escaped from him as his anger began to explode, his rage showing. I will not lose you son of a bitch. Making sure his sheath was attached he left Alice in peace and swore he would come back for her after he slays Scarlet. At least, that's what he had planned.