"I don't like saying this...but I think he might be right." Levy said with a loud sigh. She set down one of the many books she had been studying and reading, sitting back in the chair with a loud huf. Jellal let out an annoyed grunt of agreement, setting his scroll down and letting his head lean against the wall.
"So you think it's possible? I can get her back?" I asked, struggling to keep myself from getting to excited. Levy sighed, running her hand through her hair. Happy was sitting on the makeshift desk while Juvia and I sat on the opposite side of Levy, holding our breaths for a response. Levy furrowed her brow a bit and Jellal stood up.
"If the spell worked and she lived...theoretically yes...I think it's possible. It's worth a try anyway." Jellal said and I felt like I was going to implode. There was a chance that I could reunite with Lucifer. I took in a long breath, feeling excitement course through me. We were just hours away from where the patrol that would stop us and check us before we would arrive at Jūndāo de fénmù, or Sabers Grave. The island had originally been named Jūndāo shèng suǒ, which meant Saber Sanctuary. It was renamed over the years after the story of what happened was spread, and then different versions of the story formed until only someone who had been there knew what really happened. It wasn't a name I was opposed to hearing however, in fact most of the time it made me inwardly smirk.
"This..this is…." I said breathlessly, standing quickly. "I can get her back? She's not gone forever?" I asked, needing them to say it again. Levy stood up as well, putting her hand on my arm.
"There's a chance Natsu, but we don't know if it will work." She said and I nodded quickly. Juvia stood as well.
"Juvia can see her captain...Juvia can tell her that she can bear her name just like Juvia can." Juvia said and Happy jumped up, feeding off the excitement in the room.
"Just remember Natsu, Sting said we have to generate the same conditions in magic energy to open it up. You almost died that day, in fact you would have if we hadn't gotten Saber tooths healer and Wendy to heal you at the same time." Jellal said and I made a face.
"Well...I'm a lot stronger now. I can perform the same spell and that much energy without it being as dangerous to me. I'm a lot stronger than I was." I said and he nodded.
"Yeah you are, but you also had my flame, and then we have to think about the magic from everyone you were fighting, you've got to think about the spirit's energy and Juvia's and Lucifer's." He said and I frowned.
"Oh...well then I guess everyone will have to pitch in...or..I...we should ask Sting. Jellal go get him." I said and his lip curled into a sneer.
"Suuure…" He trailed off, drawing out the word as he stiffly walked out of the room. A minute or two later Sting was pretty much thrown into the room and into my desk. Levy jumped away with almost a hiss and I held back my comment about how she'd been spending too much time with Gajeel.
"That hurt you son of a-" Sting started to growl at Jellal but I clapped my hands together.
"Good news! Jellal and Levy have confirmed that there's a good possibility you were telling the truth and that if the spell worked then we might be able to get Lucifer back. Now you're going to tell me exactly how we're supposed to go through with this." I said. My look had become serious once again, deciding not to let Sting be aware of the hope that was rising in my chest despite my attempts to keep it down. He carefully stood up, still tied tightly by ropes.
"I'm not telling you anything until I'm untied...and given something to eat besides that nasty bread." He said and I looked at him steadily. He was about an inch taller than me but from the few feet between us we were level. "I came to you. I want to save Lucifer more than you realize Salamander. There's no need to tie me up. What am I going to do, jump over board? As much as I hate saying it, I need your help to get her back, but you're also going to need my help as well which means the ropes come off." He said firmly and the room stayed silent as they waited to see what I would say. I examined him for a long moment before I jerked my head towards him slightly. Levys jaw dropped.
"You've got to be kidding me! Nasty I want to get her as much as you do but you can't be serious-" she started ranting and I gave her a hard glare.
"Don't forget that while I care about you Levy, we're talking about my mate, and I'm going to do what it takes to get her back and if you have a problem with how I do it, or if anyone else for that matter has a problem, then they can sit their ass down on the ship and shut the fuck up. Sting isn't to be trusted, but let's not forget that for the first time in three years…" I trailed off, taking a deep breath before continuing, "we have a chance to get her back. Now if any of you know exactly how to do that then speak up now." I snarled. Levy glared at the ground, saying nothing. I waited for another thirty seconds and when the silence stretched on I nodded.
"Everybody get out." I said lowly, clearly pissed of and stressed. Levy turned on her heel, stalking off quickly. Jellal sighed, taking a deep breath.
"I'll go help Erza on deck, and inform her of the change." He said, following Levy out. Juvia slowly walked away from the desk, walking around so she was right in front of Sting.
"Juvia wishes Sting to realize...he will never be accepted, even if Lucifer asks to have him in her life. Sting will always be an outcast...and Juvia will take any chance she gets to make his life hell," she glanced over at me before looking back at Sting, "despite anyone's orders, she does not have to be nice to Sting." She spat and Sting took a step back. Juvia turned and walked out stiffly with Happy slowly flying out with a glance behind him. The door shut and I pulled out a knife, walking over. Sting sucked in a breath, trying to hide his concern as I walked to him and looked in his eyes.
"You touch any of the girls or Happy and I'll skin you alive, and I know how to keep you alive while doing it." I said darkly. A shiver ran up his spine as I cut the ties. I stepped away, going back to sit in my chair. Sting wriggled a bit, letting the ropes fall down. He stretched a few times, joint popping loudly and sighing in content.
"Thanks for the faith-" he started and I blinked. He stopped, sucking in his lip slightly before he sat down where Levy had been.
"Tell me how to get her back." I said bluntly and he nodded slowly.
"So we have to generate the same amount of magical energy that was in the air as when she was taken up, which is quite a lot. However, keeping in mind that everyone has grown much stronger than before then we should be able to make up around the same if we use fusing." Sting said and I narrowed my eyes. Fusing your magic with someone else's was hard, you had to be compatible with the other person's energy. It produced around three times the amount of power and usually lengthened the spells range.
"Okay...go on." I said slowly and Sting nodded, leaning forward slightly.
"Okay so I was thinking that the ice mage could fuse with June-" He started but paused when I interrupted him.
"Juvia. Her name is Juvia," I said firmly and he stared at me for a moment before taking a breath and continuing.
"Okay yes, Juvia and the Ice mage, Titania and Jellal and the iron dragon's mate with me." I stared at him, trying to figure out what the hell he was thinking.
"You with Levy? Your powers don't match up." I said and he nodded.
"Yeah I know that, but the thing is she's the mate of a dragon slayer, and it's hard not to smell him on her so I know that they've been together. That means that it takes her ability to fuse with a dragon slayer way up. And if she fuses with me then it can power my own spell." He explained and I rubbed my temples.
"So that would leave with me with Wendy." I said to confirm and he shook his head.
"Nope, if I'm right about this, which I'm pretty sure I am, we'll be firing at you." Sting sad and I let out a snarl.
"I can take a hit, but a powered one from Levy, Erza, Gray, Jellal and Juvia would put me in the hospital for at least a week or two, that doesn't help." I growled and he put his hands up.
"Just listen, if you have the assist magic from Wendy then you can shift into dragon force and cast your secret art. There's supposed to be a light that opens up. What you have to do is you have to run through it. It's a gate to the celestial world but it's extremely hard to get through without multiple powerful spirits helping you. Then to top it off it's hard to breathe in there. If we aim our spells at you just as you hit the gate we can probably get you through. Once you're in we can keep the gate open for maybe a minute. In that time you have to find Lucifer and make it back to the gate before we let it close." He explained and I leaned forward, putting my elbows on the desk as I rubbed my face.
"This is a terrible plan, the entirety of it is based off of probability that fused attacks won't kill me if I run through a gate that may or may not appear at just the right time. And if I get into the gate alive then I have a minute to grab Lucifer in a place where I won't be able to breathe and get back through or what? I die?" I asked and Sting thought for a moment.
"Uh...yeah you'll probably die because you'll eventually suffocate." Sting said and I groaned, sitting back in my chair.
"Wait, if that's the case then how could Lucifer have survived all this time?" I asked and he held up his finger.
"So I talked to a few spirits that would give me the time of day and they said that on the very rare occasions that this spell was cast and someone survived that they were infused with a lacrima of some sort that's meant to help them breathe. That's why the casting of the spell takes so long because they have to infuse the lacrima with the body and the worse the wounds are the longer it takes. Then they had to wait to see if the lacrima was accepted by the body before they can actually cast the spell. So we know that the lacrima was accepted at least." He explained and I rubbed my face some more.
"Mavis...how do I know that this isn't some trick?" I asked suspiciously and he shifted. I moved my hands from my face, breathing in deeply to catch any change in his scent.
"I care about Lucifer." He said and I jumped up, grabbing him by the throat and pulling him close to me, not giving him a chance to even yelp as he flailed.
"You fought against me to kill her." I snarled, rage rippling through me. My canines grew a bit as I bared my teeth.
"Don't think I'm an idiot you can toy with. I've rallied a revolution, I've walked onto a battlefield and watched the enemy drop their weapons and run away. I've planned out battles that have wiped out thousands without a single loss on my side. Before that I managed to avoid the countless bounty hunters and soldiers after the prize money on my head. I'm not stupid so you're going to have to give me something better than that." I told him, my voice dropping into a deadly whisper. I could see the anger and hatred in his eyes for a moment before he blinked and it was gone. He put his hands on mine and I released his grip. He took in a deep breath.
"If I killed you then that meant I could take Lucifer out. Jiemma would have thought I just wanted privacy when killing her. Lector had gotten our guilds healer." Sting said and I turned, looking at him from the side.
"Where is Lector now?" I asked, suspicion in my voice. He let his shoulders drop and he looked down.
"He's dead. He was crushed by a rockslide a few months ago when we were hiding from a patrol." Sting said and I took in a deep breath.
"I don't trust you Sting. But if this is the only way we can get Lucifer back…" I trailed off and he nodded eagerly.
"It is. I really think that she's there." He said and I ran a hand through my hair.
"Alright...let's go tell the others." I said and his face lit up in a gleeful smile.
_!_~?~? *time skip*
I licked my lips as we walked through the remains of the building that had been here. I didn't bother looking at Sting as we passed a group of skeletons. I knew who they were faintly but I didn't bother to try and remember them.
"Natsu...are they some of the people you killed? Were they here when-" She started to say but cut herself off. I looked at her from the corner of my eyes as we walked, looking down slightly since she hadn't grown much.
"Yes. They were." I said bluntly and she took in a deep breath. No one really understood what had happened completely, sure the others had been on the island but they had been rounding up strays. Four people knew what had happened. That was Happy, Juvia, Sting and I. After hearing what the others said I knew that the only thing they knew for sure was that there was a huge energy surge that washed over them and then a huge explosion.
I stopped when we were in the middle of what the building use to be. I looked around, taking in deep breaths as potent memories flooded through me. My breath caught in my throat as I slowly turned around, taking everything in. As soon as we had gotten strong naval power there were frequent patrols around this island and the surrounding islands to watch for any unusual activity, and to make sure any members of Sabertooth that had been away couldn't come back and ban together. It was widely believed that Sting and Lector had been the last of Sabertooth.
"Alright...this is where we need to be." Sting said, looking around almost breathlessly. The wind was blowing harshly, dead leaves scraping against the ground. Levy shivered softly, the cold getting to her. I readjusted my scarf, turning to Sting.
"And you're sure this is going to work?" I asked him and he splayed his hands a bit before nodding quickly.
"Mhm, yes. I'm sure this should work…" He trailed off and Natsu narrowed his eyes.
"And you're sure I can survive?" I pressed and he waved his hand, dismissing my question.
"Yup, like, 67% sure you'll live." Sting said and my mouth dropped.
"Why that specific number?" Levy asked and Sting shrugged.
"Sounded like a good number. Alright people, we need to aim for Salamander when we fire, it has to be dead on so wait for my signal to fire." Sting said, rubbing his hands together before looking at me. "You need to get a running jump, you need to pick up a lot of speed, and with Wendy's assist magic it'll help you move faster." Sting said and I took a deep breath. I paused however, my eyelids pulling back to widen my eyes while my pupils narrowed. Sting paused as well, taking in a deep breath. I stepped forward, trying to place the scent. It was sharp and fresh, hinted with the smell of vanilla and sweet strawberries. Sting grinned in excitement while the air around us seemed to shift, buzzing with magical energy. I bit my lip.
"Alright! It's time to get this started! Salamander take Jellal's flame and shift into your dragon force. Cast your secret art right before you hit the gate." Sting said, excitement overtaking his body. I swallowed, looking at my guildmates. They looked uncertain, but determined.
"Don't hold back guys." I told them, giving them a very small reassuring grin. They said nothing, just nodding or looking away. Jellal mumbled softly, stepping forward. A brilliant golden flame appeared in his hand and my mouth watered, remembering how amazing it tasted. He let the flame grow in his hand and I got myself ready. He looked over at me and when I gave him a nod he cast his spell. My eyes lit up as the golden fire flew at me, opening my mouth and inhaling what I could, anything missed was easily absorbed by my body.
"Damn that's a good meal. I'm all fired up." I said, my voice a bit raspy like it always was when I ate fire. I wiped my mouth and Sting grabbed my arm, not firmly but in a way to get my attention.
"Come on, I'll show you were to stand." He said and I took a deep breath, nodding. I turned and walked with him, our steps falling into time.
"What do you plan to do if I get her back and she wants you alive?" I asked him, knowing we were out of earshot from the others. Sting took in a breath.
"I plan to serve her in anyway she asks or needs. I'm going to be around her as much as I can...providing you don't kill me that is." He added and I chuckled softly, stopping when he did I turned to him.
"If she wishes you to be in her life, alive then I'll attempt to bury the hatchet...but don't make the mistake that I'll spare you if she doesn't want you around. I'll enjoy every scream, whimper and flinch." My tone shifted from light to dark and dangerous, a grin still on my face. Something flickered in Stings eyes and he pursed his lips slightly, as if holding back a comment. He suddenly grinned, letting out a chuckle himself.
"Well... I guess we'll find out our fates soon enough." He said and I let out a huff, not liking the confidence or snide tone in his words. I felt a sadistic shadow crawl over my body and into my brain. It had become an almost ever present side of me in the past three years, causing me to inflict cruelty on anyone around me at those moments. I gave him a sick grin.
"I guess so...tell me...does it sting to stand on the island where half of your family was slaughtered? Does it sting to know that this is where the woman you loved confessed her love of me, to be where I cut your brother down?" I asked, my smile never leaving my face as his own face dropped, his fist clenching. He sucked in a deep breath, there. Something flashed in his eyes. It was hatred, deep, simmering hatred. I would have to kill him, no matter what happened. He could never be trusted, he would always hold that hatred and eventually he would act on it. After I got lucifer back I would kill him. Here. I thought it was fitting. To kill the last Sabertooth member on Sabers grave.
"It does...sting...but I guess I'm more excited about what's in store for my future if we get Lucifer back, wrongs will be righted." He said and I narrowed my eyes slightly. He turned away from me, starting to walk back to where the others were.
"On my signal." He said, not facing me before jogging back to the others. Everyone got arranged how Sting wanted them, getting next to their partners. Wendy was a few feet behind them, turned so she could access Sting, Jellal, Juvia and I with her assist. It wasn't that they needed it, but it was they had more long range spells than Levy, Gray and Erza.
"Alright Salamander shift! Don't run until I say!" Sting called to me and I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. I dug into my magic, focusing on my anger and passion, my desperate feelings to save Lucifer. That was the thing about dragon force. I couldn't just decide to shift into it, it was almost always driven by a strong emotion. I let out a growl, heating my body temperature up quickly. The air around me wavered slightly and my growl got louder. I set my body on fire, pushing a bit deeper. I have to save her. I tilted my head back, letting out a loud roar. A huge geyser of fire spewed from my mouth, reaching high into the sky, almost singeing what I assumed was some red parrot. I felt my body harden, patches of scales rising under my skin on my arms and chest, even my cheekbones. I heard loud thunder crack overhead and I pushed my fire from my body to encircle me, feeling my fangs grow thicker and longer, my eyesight enhancing. I let my roar fade, seeing powerful lone spells being casted by the others. The sky had gone from light and clear to dark and ominous. Lightning lit up the sky every few seconds, the thunder seeming to shake the ground. Is this really going to work?
"Salamander! Turn up the heat!" Sting yelled from where he was and I growled, crouching slightly as I pulled up more magic. My flames pushed forward, rising higher. They reached up to my chest now. I sucked in a deep breath, the flames getting hotter. I pushed more, feeling Wendy's assist magic hit me. I felt three times stronger, I hadn't felt a strain on my energy to begin with but now I felt amazing. I heard an explosion and I looked up, my eyes squinting. A few yards away from the others and a in the air was a bright light, it looked like a star had fallen from the sky only to stop just short of the ground. The air pulsed with magical energy.
"Salamander now! You've gotta go now!" Sting screamed, trying to make himself heard over the roar of the fire. I looked at him, noticing sweat ran down his brow. The humidity in the air from Juvia's threatening storm and my heat was causing plants to shrivel away and burn. I looked at the star in disbelief. This is it, he was right. I can get her back.
"Salamander!" Sting shrieked and I jumped, starting to run. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as I ran, pushing my flames higher. I could hear the blood rushing through my ears, my heart pounding in my head. I got closer to the light, letting out a yell that sounded foreign to me.
"Fire Dragon secret art!" I yelled, jumping and using Wendy's assist to my advantage, letting my flames giving me an air boost. From the corner of my eye I was vaguely aware of the fusion spells being cast. I got closer to the light, sucking in a deep breath, "exploding crimson lotus with kings flame!" I yelled and fire exploded around me, tearing the star wider. I felt the fusion attacks hit me full force and I let out a roar of pain, pushing my magic harder to try and cope with the agonizing hit. I felt pressure as I hit the light, intense, suffocating pressure as I was shoved into it. I felt pain rip through my cheek and I let out another roar, pushing my flames as hard as I could for a few seconds before they sputtered, a loud crack going through my ears before everything went black as my body tried to cope with the pain.
!? pov change (because everyone wanted an indication)
I gasped, pulling my hand away from my eyes as the harsh light faded. My glass sanctuary walls had been shattered, the shards shifting to sparkling dust around me. I looked around me to see a body floating near what seemed to be a hole in the very world itself.
Could that…could that be?
"...Salamander?" I called out and from where I was I saw eyes snap open.
"Lucifer!" He yelled, shifting slightly. I could tell he was struggling to breathe, flailing from where he was. A second later he seemed to find his footing, easily sticking to the ground. He looked around wildly, his face seemingly awestruck. It is Salamander...hope and joy filled my chest.
"Salamander! Salamander I'm here!" I yelled, ecstatic energy overflowing in my veins. He came for me. I watched him turn, facing me finally. He froze, his eyes taking me in. My breath caught in my throat. He had grown physically, his hair was longer. He had a deep, ragged gash on his cheek that must have happened when he tore the barrier between the celestial kingdom and Earth land. His body was bigger, as if he had been training non stop but his face told me he felt empty, that he had spent nights without sleep. Just like I had. The way he looked at me as he struggled for breath, I could do nothing but stand there and watch him as he slowly sank to his knees, watching me as if he was waiting for me to disappear.
"My love…" He whispered and I felt my lips tremble. He had gone through hell to save me. He was my childhood friend, my captor, my friend, my love. He had stolen my heart. He wasn't any man, he was Salamander. The way he looked at me, as if I were nothing less than a Goddess had the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
"Salamander…" I said, my voice breaking. I loved being among the stars, walking among my spirits and seeing their world. But I had been told I might have to stay there forever unless someone could break the barrier. He held his hand out to me, the gate flickering.
"Come to me Lucifer, leave this heaven and be with me." He said, urgency and desperation in his voice. He knew I would love it here. He knew I loved being among the stars. But looking at him now, bleeding, rugged and his eyes full of fear that I would reject him I knew where I belonged. I belonged with my dragon slayer. I wiped at the tear I hadn't realized fell from my eye, taking a deep breath I ran forward. I grabbed his outstretched hand and I felt better than I had the entire time I was here. He pulled me, running backwards for a second as if still trying to process I was there.
"Come on Salamander!" I said quickly, squeezing his hand firmly. He gave me disbelieving grin and turned, pulling me closer as we headed towards the closing tear.
"We're not gonna make it!" I yelled, Salamander slowing down as he struggled for the air this world had to offer.
"We'll make it!" He yelled, both of us getting closer and closer. He let out a growl and I felt power surge off of him, flames rising from his skin. He picked me up bridal style and I yelped, watching his flames cover me. They didn't burn me to my amazement. I watched him in amazement as he pushed his flames higher as we got ever closer to the gate. It was almost impossible for powers to be used here, even by the spirits unless you were extremely high ranked. I felt hot needles dig into my skin and I let out a pained scream, hearing Salamander grunt loudly. I felt intense pressure on my body, my lungs being pressed down on. I couldn't breathe, I felt like I couldn't move. I just held onto Salamander tightly, squeezing my eyes shut. I had to trust him.
Suddenly the pressure was gone and the feeling of falling took over. I opened my eyes and let out a surprised shriek along with Salamander as we fell. We hit the ground, rolling away from each other on impact. I sucked in a strained breath, coughing I opened my eyes again, looking around. My eyes widened when I saw the ocean in front of me, destroyed bits of a building here and there. I'm back.
"They made i-mph!" Someone called and I gasped, pushing myself up quickly I turned, seeing Salamander a few feet away from me. I remembered how I had accepted him, how I knew that I wanted to be with him. That hadn't changed. I was faintly aware that there were other people around me but I could only look at the pink haired man that was on the ground. He could have died by entering the celestial world, yet he had ripped the barrier between us, shattered the place I thought I'd be in for forever. He slowly sat up, rubbing his head he frowned slightly, looking down at his lap as he very slowly stood up on shaking legs I felt tears running down my face. He had brought me back, he was there for me, he wanted me. I got up, my legs wobbling as I ran to him.
"Salamander!" I sobbed and he looked up just in time for me to tackle him. He caught me easily, holding me to him tightly as if he was afraid I'd get up and leave him. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, overwhelmed with everything I was feeling and had felt over the past three months. I wasn't ashamed though, feeling his own body shake against mine.
"I saw you hit the ground...I thought you were dead I thought I didn't accept you soon enough of God I thought I had killed you." I blubbered into his skin and I felt one of his hands come up to behind my head, feeling my hair.
"I thought I lost you...every night I prayed and watched the stars, hoping you were dancing among them…" His voice shook, his own face buried into my skin. "I thought you had left me for good." He whispered, holding me tighter.
"I thought you wouldn't be able to save me, I was so worried you wouldn't know or have a way." I breathed and he pulled back slightly to look me in the eyes. I hiccuped slightly, those amazingly dark black eyes with green and gold flecks.
"I will always find you, no matter where you are or what's happened. I would fight death for you if it meant that I could be with you one more minute." He told me and my body shuddered. I slipped my hands up, shaking. I cupped his face, looking at him.
"I...I accept you. I'm yours, and you're mine." I told him before leaning up and kissing him hard. He responded instantly, kissing me back with overwhelming passion and love. I felt fire run through my veins as I kissed him. He filled me completely, the hatred, the loneliness and the hurt I had bottled up over years and years faded away. I felt alive, I felt safe. I could kiss him forever as he poured everything he had felt in the time spent away from me. I knew he had waited three years for me, and I could feel all of the hurt, anger, pain and fear he had felt. I felt his overwhelmingly strong emotions wash over me with each movement of his lips, his arms crushing me to him. I pulled away, gasping for air as my brain tried to process the intense feelings he had just shared. I looked at him, putting one hand on his chest. He loosened his grip on me and I took a small step back to look at him a bit more, my thumb from the hand still on his face rubbed his uninjured cheek softly. I tilted my head, holding his gaze fondly before I felt something sharp poke me, not quite puncture but it poked me. I frowned, looking down to see a sword barely brushing my stomach. It was covered in blood. My mouth dropped when realization hit me. It was through Salamanders stomach.
I looked up quickly, grabbing Salamanders arms. A look of intense pain and shock weas in his eyes as he stared at me. I saw blonde hair and suddenly there was a face next to Salamanders shoulder.
"Wrongs have been righted. You killed my mate, my family and then tried to take Lucifer too. Well you can't have everything can you? No. You can't. But things will be made right again. See you're going to die on the island you were going to kill me on, and I'm going to take your mate and marry her. I'll become King and one by one I'll execute your friends in the most painful ways. Once I'm done I think I'll go to my new wife and produce an heir or two." He chuckled and horror ran through me as I recognized Sting. The sword lurched a bit as Salamander tried to say something and he coughed up blood. The sword slid from Salamander and his eyes locked on mine before he fell. I let out a scream, catching him and easing him to the ground.
I looked at his wound, it was gushing blood. He was shaking hard and I let out a panicked sob, quickly applying pressure to the wound.
"No! No no no no no!" I wailed, putting as much pressure as I could on him. How could this happen? Salamander coughed, more blood splattering on his chin.
"Y-you w-w-e" He started to say but was cut off when a boot stomped on his chest. He cried out in agony as a rib cracked. I looked at the owner of the boot and scowled.
"You fucking traitor! You'll never get away with this!" I spat at Sting and he gave me a sick grin, slapping me hard across the face. I fell next to Salamander. Being in the celestial world had healed my wounds but my body had slowly been adapting to the different gravity and air pressure, to the different magic. It would take me a few days before I was at full capacity again and even then, I hadn't been able to train. I saw Sting move kick Salamander again and I let out a shriek, covering him quickly.
"You can't have him." I whispered, knowing he would hear me. I didn't care that my clothes that Virgo had given me were being soaked in blood. I just clung to Salamander. I have to save him. I can't just let him go, he fought for me, he waited for me even when he thought I was dead. He didn't give up. Is this truly our fate? I spent the last three months thinking of him, realizing how much I love him. How could fate be so cruel? Salamander made a gurgling noise and I looked up, blinking to try and clear my vision from the tears. He brought his hands up and I could do nothing but watch in agony as they shook, covered in his own blood.
"I...I'm sor….sorreh…" He strained out, tilting his back in pain, his teeth gritting together. His breathing was barely there and panic rose in my chest and I slid off of him sightly, watching his face. He took my hand and I squeezed it, trying to catch my breath from sobbing.
"No! No Salamander no please don't leave me! I was wrong! I don't love Sting, it's always been you. Don't leave me I just got you back...Natsu I love you." My voice cracked as I said his name. Natsu's body shuddered and he gave me a smile, even as the pain racked his body.
"Luce...I lo..o..AHG!" He yelled out and I let out a scream as a sword went through his chest.
"NO!" I watched in horror as Natsu coughed up more blood, gasping for breath even though his lungs wouldn't fill. He gave me a pained, scared look and I cradled him closer to me, the sword being pulled away. He reached up slowly, touching my face.
"Love you." He whispered before his hand fell, his breath leaving him as his eyes closed. I stared at him in horror, my mouth open as I tried to process what had just happened. I could feel his blood all over me. On my cheek, my torso and my hands.
"Lucifer, it's time to go." Sting said and I looked up at him, my mouth not closing. I looked behind him to see Juvia, Gray, Erza, Levy, Jellal, Charla and Happy all tied up with orangish looking rope. They watched helplessly, tears on their cheeks and in their eyes as they watched the scene. There a few other people, men with the king's insignia on their armor.
"They can't help you, those are magic binding ropes. Drains all magic and energy, come on Lucifer. This is what you wanted, me and you together. Jiemma is dead, now Salamander. No one can stop us from being together." Sting said and I just watched Natsu's face. It looked like he was sleeping, a deep peaceful sleep after a battle.
"Oi Lucifer! Aren't you glad Sting was this brilliant?" Lectors' voice rang in my ears but I didn't look away from Salamander. "See he told them that I was dead, but instead I was leading troops behind these idiots the whole time! We slipped in through the gap created for them. Haha! While everyone was distracted with holding the gate open and having you two come out we were able to gag and bind every single one of them! Not so tough now are they?" He asked, touching my shoulder. I screamed, startling both Lector and Sting. They stepped back as I bent over Natsu's body with the force of my scream as it registered in my head. I screamed and screamed, sobbing to where my body was shaking so hard that I couldn't seem to see straight. I held Natsu's head close to me, hugging him and clinging to him, as if trying to keep him with me. How could I lose him? Thi was all my fault. If I hadn't left him on the sand bar, if I had been honest with him, with myself. We would be together now. Side by side and smiling. But I hadn't listening to my heart and my gut, so now I paid the price. What a cruel lesson.
"Why are you shedding tears for him?" Sting asked but I could hardly hear him. I felt his hand on my shoulder and I jerked back.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" I shrieked, glaring at him in pure hatred. He flinched away from me and my sobs came back. I ran a hand through the pink hair I had always found amusing. I could hardly breathe, any air I took in was instantly spewed out in a wail. My entire body hurt. I felt like I was going through torture again. No, torture was better than this. I would take the torture again every single day if I never had to feel this way again.
"Lucifer let's go." Sting said suddenly, gripping my arm tightly as he yanked me up. The noise that came from my mouth was inhuman as I was separated from Natsu. I turned, my hand moving faster than my brain. Sting let out a yell of pain, releasing me as he stumbled back holding his nose. I took a shaky breath as a few of the soldiers drew their swords but Sting out hi hand up, stopping them.
"Alright, you want to go the hard way then so be it." He said, drawing his sword. I bent, picking up Natsu's sword from where it was secured on his side. My body trembled slightly as I looked at Sting. I took a deep breath, standing over Natsu's body protectively and Sting gave me a dangerous look.
"KILL HIM LUCIFER!" Levy screamed, her gag having fallen off. I swallowed, watching Sting slowly approach me. His nose was crooked and bleeding. I had broken it. Hatred towards him fill me.
"Get. Away. From. Me." I growled, my throat raw from the screaming. Sting shook his head, pausing and holding his sword up. We both knew that he had always been better than me with sword, hell. He had been the one to teach me how to use one.
"Don't make me hurt you...please." He said and I swallowed hard, bending my knees slightly. "You're going to come with me, I'm going to take Salamanders body and parade it on the way back to the castle. So everyone can see what happens when you oppose him." He said and I held my sword up, pointing it at Sting's chest.
"Then you'll have to take me back dead." I said and he growled, his calm demeanor leaving him. He jumped forward and I brought my sword up quickly. My hand shook at the impact of our swords and I grunted, feeling him pushing down. I was so weak, my energy was still gone. I quickly brought my leg up, pushing forward hard as my knee came up between his legs. Sting coughed, falling back and bending over. He let out a wheeze, holding between his legs and I swallowed hard, moving over Natsu again.
"Run him through Lucifer!" Gray yelled and I glanced at them. I felt their gazes on me, their hope. I felt sudden energy rush through me and I frowned slightly, looking down at my body. I saw a very soft yellow glow, almost impossible to see. I could feel it though, as if someone had just poured their energy into me, like I could breathe.
Sting slowly stood back up, taking a deep breath he growled and launched at me. Anger fueled me as I brought Natsu's sword up to block him.
"I love Natsu." I spat at him and he bared his teeth. We separated and I swung hard at his ribs.
"I'll force you to watch as I rip his body limb from limb." Sting snarled at me and I let out a scream of defiance as he jumped at me again.
!?
The Fairy Tail members on the island and Jellal watched everything with wide eyes, helpless in their bonds. They watched Lucifer stand over Natsu's dead body, covered in his blood. They couldn't help but to watch the scene even when they wanted to look anywhere else. Erza couldn't believe her eyes. Not only was Lucifer alive, but she was defending Natsu, even in his death. She was clearly weak, scars littering her body, many of them still deep pink.
Erza watched the blonde girl fight for Natsu, for them. She watched the fatigued girl growl and spit, meeting Sting's ferocity every inch, meeting every jab and swing with her own. Not only that, but she was getting in hits as well. When they got close she would get an elbow into his jaw or chest. She hardly moved away from Natsu, keeping Sting away from his body.
"Do you think he needs help?" A soldier asked another one and the questioned man shifted.
"Yeah...let's take her down so we can get back." He said gruffly and anger simmered through the tied up group. A few of the soldiers started moving, drawing their swords. Erza watched as Gray and Jellal both shifted, turning and kicking their legs up between the guards legs. The girls smirked as the two guards they had aimed for both grunted or yelped, falling. One fell towards Erza and she rolled back, kicking her legs up as well. Her feet hit the guys head rather hard and he fell back towards Levy. She moved out of the way, watching him hit the ground. Suddenly there was a pained scream and Erza froze, watching as Jellal and Juvia were yanked up, a gun to their heads. In these ropes she wouldn't be able to shift into her water form.
"That's enough out of you all." One of the guys growled out and hatred ran through Erza's blood as she looked at Jellal and Juvia. She looked back to where Lucifer was and fear ran through her. Lucifer was now struggling, facing not just Sting but four more. She was barely keeping herself from being hit.
"Lucifer! Stop fighting me!" Sting yelled and Erza gasped as Lucifer ducked and swung, her foot coming up to kick some guy's jaw, her sword going through a weak spot in another's armor.
"Never! I'll never stop fighting you!" She yelled, shoving the guy her sword was in to the ground. She took another defensive stance against Sting and the remaining guy.
"You have nothing to fight for!" Sting yelled, getting faster in his attacks. Lucifer let out a growl, blocking him. She elbowed the other soldier and he stumbled back. "I killed Salamander." He spat at her and she flinched, barely blocking his swing. "He's dead. And death is permanent." Sting said and Lucifer's breath hitched. She took a step back now, still standing over Natsus' body. Erza felt her eyes sting as tears slid from her eyes. This couldn't be happening. Natsu was just gathering strength. He was getting ready to jump up last second and save the day. Natsu couldn't just die...that was basically her brother. He was everyone's family. He had come back from unbeatable odds. Almost as if death looked him in the eye and shied away. How could he just lay there? Her breath hitched as she watched Lucifer start to waver as Stings words cut through her.
"He's not coming back. He can't save you." Sting yelled and Lucifer stumbled, moving away from Natsu's body.
"No! No he will!" Lucifer cried out, pain in her voice.
"Never! You'll never see his smile again! You'll never hear his laugh again!" He screamed, anger rising in him. He stuck her sword and she yelped as it fell from her hand. A punch from Sting sent her flying to the ground. Erza flinched as she heard the impact.
Everyone seemed to stop struggling and making noises, watching in sorrow and defeat as Lucifer laid on the ground, her face in the sand as she sobbed. Sting wiped at his mouth where Lucifer had busted his lip, blood still coming from where she had broken his nose.
Juvia felt like she couldn't breathe, watching as the woman she admired more than even gray lay face down on the ground and sobbed. She couldn't bear to watch and yet she couldn't pull her eyes away. Sting walked over to her sobbing body, his kindness towards her seemingly gone as he shoved his foot into her side. Lucifer rolled over, coughing but she didn't look up. Juvia held her breath as Sting growled.
"Come on then! Is that all you've got? Jiemma was right...once you join Fairy Tail you go soft." He snarled and Lucifer was up in a second, her fist slamming into his eye. Juvia felt pride trickle through her. Sting fell to the ground, Lucifer wobbling softly before falling again, her sobs coming back. It was painful to watch as Sting sat up, holding his eye in fury.
"You're mine!" Sting yelled, standing up. Lucifer didn't say anything, just looked at him as her body racked with sobs. "You're going to come back with me. I'm going to be the king, and you're going to give me an heir." Sting said and Lucifer's mouth closed suddenly as she went still. Juvia frowned before gagging herself as Lucifer lurched forward, retching. Sting jumped back, avoiding the vomit.
"Guards! Bring some of the ropes." Sting ordered as she finished. He swung his sword slightly, walking back over to Natsus' body. Lucifer's eyes widened and she scrambled past him, not quite running but struggling on the ground. She threw herself over Natsu, holding him closely.
"Get out of my way." Sting ordered and Lucifer just huddled closer to him.
Come on Natsu! You're not really dead! Get up! Fight! Gray thought, watching his rival's body lay there limply, covered by the shaking blonde.
"I'm not leaving him!" Lucifer screamed, her voice cracking as it went raw.
"He's dead." Sting said bluntly and Lucifer hiccuped, hiding her face in Natsu's shoulder. Levy couldn't stop crying, watching everything unfold. The man she had known since she was a child was dead in front of her, his fingertips starting to turn purple, the oxygen leaving his blood. He had been taken out...how could this happen? What would they tell Master Makarov? What would Gildarts say?
"The mighty Salamander, leader of the rebellion...Natsu Dragneel. Is dead." Sting said, his voice cocky and smug a he leaned down, grabbing Lucifer roughly. She screamed, clinging to Natsu s Sting tried to rip her away. Guards swarmed them, covering the groups view.
"NO! NATSU PLEASE! NATSU DON'T LEAVE ME PLEASE WAKE UP! DEATH CAN'T YOU!" She screamed and suddenly they could see her again. Jellal watched in agony and fury as she was shoved to her knees, clinging to Natsu's scarf. She went limp in their grasp, her body shaking. Her eyes were red and puffy, snot was running from her nose. She looked...broken. Like Natsu had looked when he woke up and found out that Lucifer was gone. Jellal wanted to scream to her, to tell her everything would be okay. To tell her to not give up. But he couldn't, his throat closing. Besides that, it looked like she couldn't hear anything anyway. He was amazed. He had known her almost her whole life. She wouldn't break easily, but there she was, her body shutting down on her. She didn't move or react as guards placed the orange rope around her, just holding the scarf tightly.
"Wait…" Sting said suddenly, his voice no longer wrathful. He walked to her, watching her on the ground for a minute. Jellal's blood boiled as he sighed, bending down. He scooped Lucifer up into his arms. She didn't fight, just buried her face in the scarf, her loud sobs coming back. He looked down and if Jellal didn't know any better he would say there was remorse and affection in his eyes.
"Bring them to the ship...leave Salamander here." Sting said, starting to walk back to the ship Fairy Tail had brought. He walked by the group and Jellal caught his eye. Jellal held his gaze fiercely, his lip curling in contempt.
"How pitiful is it to know you can only have her when she's broken? When she get's better you'll lose her again." Jellal said, ice in his voice. Sting glared at him, looking away to continue walking. Guard surrounded them and Jellal shifted closer to Erza, brushing his shoulder against her in an attempt to comfort her. Erza was holding her breath, trying desperately to not let any more sobs or tears out. Jellal sucked in a breath, glancing over his shoulder as he was escorted away. Salamanders body laid on the ground, his blood covering his clothes and the sand around him. Jellal closed his eyes tightly, turning his head. Lucifer was back and Natsu Dragneel was dead.
oooooooh shit
Hey guys! I'm sorry for the lateness of this chapter but I'm going hell right now and you guys really lift my spirits up with your comments, messages an reviews! That being said I can tell you that Rivals WILL be updated next, however I'm not sure when bc I just burnt both of my hands to high hell and i'm using the three okaish fingers I have to type. I do know that I will be working on this story though throughout my upcoming break.
On to the story though! So...heh. Sting was right! Lucifer was brought back safely! And Natsu is dead. I tried to capture abit of everyone's pov in there so tell me what parts made you feel what.
discussion questions:
What will Lucifer do while on the ship?
Will everyone make it to the palace alive?
How did Lucifer suddenly get so much energy?
How will the others cope with Natsu's death?
Anser all in the comments below or in a pm! Have any comments, questions or concerns? Don't be shy, just drop a message and I will do my best to respond or answer you! Anyway tell me what you guys thought of this chapter, if you liked how it was set up, if your heart hurts now. Anything! And until the next update feel free to read and review my other one shots and story.