Chapter 22
Erza stopped Gray and Gajeel before they could go. "What is it Erza? Gray asked very curious. In a quiet voice she said "I want you two to call whoever you need too, find out about Zeref. We need to know if he's alive. " "Got it" answered Gajeel. "Shouldn't Natsu know about this since he's the leader" "No, he's already got enough going through his head. No, call your contacts from around Fiore and report back to me or Jellal when you find something" "Yes ma'am" they both responded. "Come on or they are going to start wondering why we haven't come out yet. Last thing we want is Natsu or Lucy up our asses" advised Jellal as they got moving. "You guys alright?, been waiting for a few" said Lucy. "Oh yeah, all good. We had to use the bathroom" answered Gray as the others quickly agreed with a smile. Neither of them believed a word Gray said but they were too focused on their daughter to give much thought. "Your driving this time then" said Gray as he got in the back. "Yep, now everyone hang on cause I'm not slowing down for any of you" said Natu as he slammed down on the gas sending the others flying into the backs of the other seats. "You damn hothead, try not to kill us on the way" "I said hang on dumbass" said Natsu. Once they got there, everyone except Lucy who was in the passenger side fell to the ground dizzy. "Next time, I drive" stated Gray. "How about Dragneel just don't drive at all" said Gajeel. "Come on you wimps, I got us here didn't I and you don't hear Jellal or Erza complaining. "Enough, let's get inside" commanded Jellal refocusing them. The house was abandoned with the windows boarded up and roof tiles falling. He went up to the front door and discovered it was locked.
"What now?" asked Lucy wondering. Natsu grunted loudly and kicked the door hard bringing it down. "We have come way too far for a fucking door to stop us now" said Natsu highly irritated. "Easy Natsu, save your anger" Lucy said calmly as he took a deep breath and let it out stepping inside with the others in tow. "Where should we start?" "Start breaking doors..GO!" ordered Natsu as they all split off and searched. "I've got a feeling" thought Natsu as he looked and headed towards the kitchen there. "Hmm, well where there's a kitchen, there's usually ..ahha!, basement , oh and it's unlocked" he said happily as he opened the door and flipped the switch. "Holy dust trap. Jeeze" he complained as he coughed his way down the stairs and through cobwebs. He found a small table with maps and papers. As he was looking, he found a map with a circle traced around a location multiple times with others crossed out. "Son of a bitch" he said cheerfully as he grabbed it and ran back up. "LUCY, GUYS YOUR ASSES TO THE CAR NOW!" he hollered through the house as he ran to the car. When they all got there, Lucy was the first one to speak up. "What did you find Natsu?" In a gentle voice he said "Baby, we're bringing our daughter home" he held the map out showing them as Lucy brought her hands to her face. "My baby…Layla" she cried out happily. Opening the doors with a grin he said "let's bring her home" with that they all hopped in as Natsu voluntarily stepped aside letting Gray drive. "Natsu, you know there's gonna be a shit ton of security" "I'm expecting that so my order, if you see someone , kill em on sight. I'm not fucking around. "What about Evelyn?" asked Erza. "Leave her to me and Lucy. Bitch is going to pay" he said hard. The sun was setting as they drove but none of them cared for they were so close they could practically taste it as they drove until they came upon it.
"Jesus, looks like a fucking castle" said Natsu as they pulled up into a hidden corner. "You ready Lucy?". "I'm sick of this bullshit. I'm taking Layla home. Let's move" she said with some anger behind it. They all got out and grabbed their guns. "Alright everyone, watch your backs, I want all of us to meet in the center when your done cause I'm betting that's exactly where she is" They nodded as they started walking forward until Erza stopped Lucy and Natsu. "Hold on a second" she told them as she went back into the trunk and pulled out two things. She came back and threw them at Lucy and Natsu who caught them. "Cavlar vests?" questioned Natsu. "Yup" agreed Erza as the others all lifted their shirts revealing the vests underneath. "Holy crap! And you've all been wearing these all day?" exclaimed Natsu while Lucy was just shocked. "Ha, yup, this is not the first time we've been in this predicament. You learn to live with wearing it" said Gray amused.
They slipped the vests over their heads and continued to walk. "Be on your toes everyone" Natsu insisted as they didn't get too far before guards had come out in front of them. "Well well, the welcome party has arrived." Gajeel announced with a grin as he pulled out his shot gun and started shooting. "EVERYBODY MOVE!" Erza shouted as they all split off. "Lucy!" Natsu yelled as he grabbed her hand pulling her beside him. "Stay with me baby" "Got it" They pulled out their shot guns and began shooting. They got past them as they kept running only to met with another set. "Fucking ..there coming out of the damn woodwork" said Gray. "MOVE" ordered Natsu as they scattered. Gray was fighting one when another caught him off guard and hit his shoulder. "GRAY!" Lucy screamed as she saw him go down on his shoulder. "No Lucy, I'll be fine" he grunted out as he stood back up. "This is just a scrap" "Gray.." she reached for him as he said '"Go Lucy, get your daughter, this is why we are here!, Natsu your our leader, go damn it!" Against everything he wanted to do, he ordered Erza and Jellal to follow him as he had Lucy reluctantly go with him. "Get up you damn freezer" said Gajeel. "Oh shut you metal head" insulted Gray lightly as they charged forward towards the guys shooting at them. "Sorry assholes. I don't plan on dying today" Gray said cocky as he shot a few right in the head with Gajeel. They grinned at each other as they were covered in sweat and blood and kept moving.
Erza and Jellal raced with Natsu as far as they could through the house until they were blocked by more men. "Fucking goon squad, great" said Natsu as he pulled out his hand gun and started shooting. These guys had bigger guns then the ones fighting Gray and Gajeel making it harder to dodge. "LUCY!" Jellal shouted as he saw a guy aim right for her as Natsu reacted and jumped in front of her shoving her out of the way as it grazed his stomach and hit the wall. "Natsu!" she yelled as he landed on his side holding where he got shot. "I'm fine Lucy…just grazed me" she started shaking as she saw the blood coming from the injury. Taking her hand, he looked at her with soft eyes and said "baby, I'm fine. I'm not going to die from this." "AHH" that scream turned their heads as they saw Erza shot in the leg and on the ground. "Erza!" Natsu growled angrily seeing her hurt. "Natsu, go I got her" said Jellal. "No I'm not leaving you guys" said Natsu.
"Then your risking your one chance at getting Layla back, are you going to fuck that up because of us!" Jellal snapped at him. "Natsuuu, go, you nneed to get Layla..sometimes a leader hhas to mmake the hard choices. We'll make it through this.. and even if we didn't. You would shame us by not going after her. Now I am ordering you Natsu and Lucy, go! Find your daughter."
Putting his head down, he grumbled "damn it Erza" Lifting his head up, he made his message clear when he said " don't either of you fucking die, do you hear me because If I'm going to be your fucking boss, I need you two there. Is that understood!" They both nodded their heads with an understanding smile as Natsu and Lucy charged forward. "I'm not giving up. No fucking way" said Erza as she stood up wincing in pain. "Ha, wouldn't expect you too, that's not in your nature." Jellal teased. "It's not in yours either" "Isn't that why we married each other" "That and many reasons but now we have another reason, we have new family members and a niece we love with all our hearts. We are going to live through this and see her again" said Erza determined. "You hear that you bastards!.ahhhhh" she yelled as she went forward. Natsu and Lucy ran till they came to a hallway with massive doors. "Natsu..you sure your okay?" she asked nervously. "I told you Lucy. I'm fine. It barely hit me and the vest took most of the damage.. are you ready? He asked confidently. "Oh yes, I am more then ready" He smirked at her as he used both his arms to push the heavy doors open revealing the large center of the place. They looked around and barely got a step in when they were surrounded by guards.
Standing back to back, Natsu confidently cocky said "well, well, looks we got a bit of situation Lucy, you ready?" You bet baby" "Then let's get to work" he said as they split from each other and charged the guards. Natsu dodged a few and landed a few sucker punches in their faces as he jabbed some in the stomach. Lucy used her small body to dodge easily as she missed the shots fired at her. She however was able to get and bring some down. While she couldn't get any head shots, she managed to hurt them. They were doing alright when they started to get the upper hand. "Natsu" she said starting to get nervous. "Don't worry Lucy, we're go" He got cut off as they saw Gray and the others come through the door. "You guys!" exclaimed Lucy happily. Natsu grinned as he punched a guy. "About time" he said "Shut it hothead" replied Gray with a smile. Distracted, none of them were paying attention as a guard on the ground aimed for the part of Lucy's back that wasn't covered and fired.
None of them could get there fast enough as it went through. "LUCY"! Natsu shouted as he ran to Lucy who was on her stomach. She used her strength to push herself up. "Lucy.. gah..baby!" "I'm fffinee" she said hoarse as she tried to get all the way up but her back screamed at her as she grabbed it. "Lucy!" they all yelled as they came running at her. "ahhh" grimaced Lucy. "Natsu! ,what now!" "Where is she?!" "Where's Layla!" "There's one way to get her down here" "Never" Natsu snapped "Natsu, we don't have time!" "This bullet needs to come out now..Gray! hold her arms" directed Jellal. "Sorry Lucy" he apologized as he dug his fingers making her scream in pain as he pulled the bullet out and ripped the fabric on his shirt wrapping it around her Injury "Natsu!" "MOTHHHERRR!" he bellowed as the walls echoed his scream. "It's about time you used my title" Evelyn said as she walked out of a room. "Where the fuck is my daughter you bitch?" he demanded as he glared at her. She had a wicked grin on her face as more guards came to defend her. "For fucks sake" groaned Gajeel. Natsu went at them. "Well come on, we can't let the dumbass fight them alone" said Gray as they agreed and charged forward. "You underestimate me you stupid cunt" said Natsu. He cold cocked a guy as he went straight for his mother and landed in front of her with a wild expression in his eyes.
She backed away slowly. "I know your weakness stupid" he said confident. "You know nothing" she snapped as Natsu said "Zeref" "Hh..hhow dare you bring him up. You are nothing! Compared to him." "Obviously, I'm not a fucking cold-hearted psychopath. I am the son of Igneel Dragneel and he was ten times better then you or psycho will ever be." "You bastard" she insulted as she ran and pressed a button. Natsu ran and grabbed her by the shirt holding his fist back. "Now your going to pay ..Evelyn" he said emotionless when he heard "DADDDY!" that froze everyone's movements as they heard her voice. Layla was standing there with a servant who let her go as Lucy held her arms out as Layla went running to her. "MOMMMY!" Tears streamed down Lucy's face as she grabbed and hugged her tight as she could. "my . god I missed you so much" "Mommy!" Layla cried happy as she wrapped her arms around her. Lucy couldn't stop crying as she held her until she lifted her hand up and saw it came back red. "Wwhat the hell…?" She instantly lifted Layla's shirt as Layla crouched down in fear. "Lay…la..did she do this? Layla profusely nodded her head as Lucy stood up. The rage she felt was overwhelming as she ran straight for Evelyn. "LUCY!" everyone shouted but she wasn't listening. The only thing she saw was red as she dodged every shot that went for her "YOU FUCKING WHORRING BITCH!" she shrieked as she jumped in the air and kicked Evelyn straight in the jaw sending her backwards. "LUCY," Natsu restrained her as she was going crazy. " Lucy!. What the hell" he managed to say as she fought to get to Evelyn. "Let me at her now Natsu, I'm going to FUCKING CUT OUT HER THROAT!AHH" "Luce, what.." LAYLA! LIFT UP YOUR SHIRT NOW! She screamed. "Mommy please" Layla begged. "It's alright baby girl, show me" Shaking, she turned and lifted her back showing Natsu her bleeding back. And then he got a real look at her. He saw the bruises on her legs as she turned back around and the marks on her face. His face turned crazy as he let go of Lucy who was looking straight at him.
They turned and stared at Evelyn as if in a trance. Their minds consumed with rage. "NATSU!, LUCY! SNAP OUT OF IT! Screamed Erza. "You laid a hand on our child" said Natsu. His voice was completely devoid of emotion. Gray ran over to a crying Layla trying to comfort her. "Guys, stop!" yelled Jellal as him and Erza ran an stopped in front of Natsu and Lucy. "Your protecting her?" accused Lucy. Her voice filled with vengeance . "No!, you think we give a shit about her" said Erza waving her hand to the side. "NO, we care about you which is why we cant let you do this" "She deserves to die" said Natsu. Threw with waiting, he had them spring forward but couldn't go far due to Erza and Jellal grabbing them. "Let me go!" Lucy yelled. "Lucy…this isn't you" said Erza. "After everything she did to me..SHE TORTURED ME FOR FIVE YEARS KEEPING ME AWAY FROM NATSU, THEN MY MUSIC, NOW SHE SCARRED MY CHILD AND YOU EXPECT ME TO LET HER GET AWAY WITH THAT!" she shrieked. "Natsu, stop damn it."urged Jellal. "If I'm the leader then I order you two to get the fuck out of our way" "We can't do that Natsu, I'm sorry". Evelyn was still on the floor, but she was genuinely afraid Natsu and Lucy were going to get through. She knew she would die if they got ahold of her. "SHE NEEDS TO PAY!" shouted Natsu. "Yes and she will ,I promise but doing this right now. It will make you two no better then her" said Jellal. The looks in their eyes said they didn't care so Erza wanted to try something. "Look at your daughter, now! Look at her" she told them pointing behind them. They turned and their faces dropped. Layla was crying in Gray's arms as he was rubbing her back.
"Mmmommy,dddadddy pppleease.. just want too go home" she pleaded as tears streamed down her face. "Layla" Natsu and Lucy said softly as they looked at each other. Feeling them relax, Erza and Jellal gently let them go as they sank to the floor. Layla ripped herself out of Gray's arms and ran for them making them look up. They held out their arms with teary smiling faces as she jumped into them. "Daddy!, mommy!" she cried happily as they kissed her everywhere they could without touching her back. "My baby" said Lucy. "We missed you so much baby" said Natsu. Layla nodded her head agreeing as she buried her face into Natsu's chest. They closed their eyes and both put an arm around her. "I love you" "We love you too" they told her lovingly as they looked at her face and rubbed her cheeks sad that she had marks all over her face. "You stupid people!" Evelyn shot up off the ground as she pulled a gun out and aimed right for the Dragneels. Natsu pulled them in close shielding them as the girls were terrified. "
Daddy!" "Don't worry, I wont let anything happen to you two" "Natsu" Lucy said scared. Evelyn had her finger about to pull the trigger when Erza hard kicked it out of her hand. "You dumb bitch, you think we would let you hurt them. No fucking way." Snapped Erza. Natsu put his head up and turned seeing Evelyn's gun on the ground. He motioned for Lucy and Layla to look up so they did as they all got to their feet and turned to Evelyn. "You weak hearted man, can't even kill me, your no son of mine" Not letting Natsu say anything, Jellal said "your son is many things but weak is not one of them" "You should be proud of him, of everything he's done..and not killing you, that isn't weakness Evelyn. That's strength and he has more than you will ever know. It's what we need for a mafia leader" she turned her head towards him to see him giving a look of appreciation. "Mafia leader?!" They turned to face her again "Yes, he's proven to be capable of it" said Jellal impressed. Natsu began to walk up as Jellal and Erza attempted to stop him but he held his arms out giving them a calm face as they stood down. "What, you going to finish killing me now? She said hostile. "I hate you with everything in my body, as far as I'm concerned, the only thing we share is blood. I am Igneel's son. I don't have a mother. Sad thing is , I never have. There were rare moments where I saw possibilities as a little kid where you really acted like my mother but you smashed those. You took my daughter and beat her" His voice had a low growl as he said "Everything is telling me to kill you for what you did to my family…" They all looked at him waiting to see what he would do. "But for Layla…and I don't want to be anything like you, your going to live. Locked away from everyone, everything, live with yourself for what you've done. Goodbye Evelyn..go to hell" He walked back over to Lucy and Layla as he took Layla's hand.
She looked up at him and said "Daddy, can we go home?" Smiling a warm smile, he knelt to the floor and put a hand to the back of her head rubbing it. "Yes baby girl, we can go home" he replied with a peaceful look on his face. Her cheeks turned pink as she threw her hands around his stomach surprising him but he welcomed it as he put his hands around her neck. "I love you daddy" "I love you too Layla, my baby dragon" she giggled as he put a hand to her cheek. Standing back up, he put an arm around Lucy shoulder as she put her arms around his waist. "Erza, what are we going to do with her?" he asked straight forward. "Leave her to us, go to the car. We'll meet you there" she told him. Not questioning it or turning around, he walked the girls out. "So, what are you going to do with me?" asked Evelyn snippy. "Oh you, your going in a dark hole where you won't see the light of day ever again" said Gray. "I won't be there forever, I have power" said Evelyn. "You can't tell anyone if there's no one to tell" "What, what do you mean?" asked Evelyn feeling a hint of fear. "Where your going, there are no people for you to try to bribe. Your going into a hole and staying there" Erza said flatly. "Gajeel, how long until they get here" Jellal asked seeing Gajeel get off his cellphone. "Hehe, about 20 minutes then they'll transfer her to Magnolia. "Good work" complimented Jellal. Twenty minutes later, the agents for alikitasia showed up and took a very irate and terrified Evelyn away. "Ha, if you ask me, she's getting off easy. She should be grateful we didn't let Dragneel or the Mrs. have their way with her or she would not be screaming right now" Said Gajeel. "Speaking of which, come on. I'm sure they want to get going by now and are getting ancy" recommended Erza as she waved an arm for them to follow. Opening the door, she quickly signaled the others to look but quietly. They crept up and all smiled at what they saw. Lucy and Layla were completely snuggled in Natsu's arms with their arms both around Layla sound asleep. They had peaceful, loving expressions on their faces. "They are going to hate us when we start driving" teased Gray. " I don't think they will wake up, they've been running for days. Come on let's let them sleep" said Erza as they all got in and drove for Magnolia.
They had all gotten home while Natsu and Lucy carefully tended to Layla's wounds on her back. Putting healing medicine on it , it killed them when she cried from the pain. Lucy had chosen a house she had been eyeing for a while so her and Natsu packed up their stuff at Erza's and their apartment and moved right in. It was a two-level home with four bedrooms, with a ground indoor pool and not too far from Erza and Jellal's house which is what they wanted. The protection order for the Dragneel's was given to the mafia where it was framed and hammered to where it could be seen so everyone knew. Natsu nervously but willingly accepted the position of being the mafia boss in Magnolia. Lucy was his right hand while Erza was his second in command for he told them he wouldn't do it without her and Jellal coming back to active duty. They accepted without a second thought.
Three days later
"Lucy!" "Hey baby" she greeted happily as she went and gave him a kiss on his lips. "Daddy!" a happy cry was heard as he released from Lucy to see Layla running at him. He picked her up and spun her in his arms. "Hey baby dragon, how's your back feeling?" he asked tenderly. "It doesn't hurt as much today..but it's still there" she said sadly. "I am so sorry Layla. You should've never had to go through that" apologized Natsu. "Hey, we're all here together, we will get through this" said Lucy optimistically putting her arms on Natsu and Layla's shoulders. They looked at her and smiled. "Your right" said Natsu. Layla nodded in agreement as she ran to the living room waving for them to follow her. They laughed as they walked hand in hand to the living room where she sat in the middle of the floor and played with her toys. Lucy laid her head on Natsu's shoulder as he leaned his head against hers. "How was it today?" "Ugggh, boring. I don't even have to do anything, just go into the building every once in a while, and check to make sure shit is going right and no one is fucking up." He explained with a boredness to his voice. "Ha, sounds good for you. You have more time to spend with us here" she said lightly. "True, and I'm getting money but you know me , I can't sit still for long so I'm going to look for work probably. I still like to make my own money" "You could work at Erza's gym" "No, she already works for me, last thing anyone wants I'm sure is seeing the magnolia leader working in the gym." "Okay , well whatever you choose, I know you'll do great" she said getting distant as she looked out towards the backyard. "Lucy?, what is it?" "Huh, what do you mean?" she asked. He gave her a look as he said "Baby, you can't lie to me and you know it so spill, what's up" Sighing she said "Yeah your right, no matter how times I tried, I can't lie to you for shit..It's just I" "You miss singing don't you?" She looked at him with sadness in her eyes "Yes, I miss it so much, I'd give just about anything to have it back." Getting an idea, he snapped his fingers and put a hand to his head. "I'm such an idiot" he told himself lightly. "Huh?" said a very confused Lucy.
"Wait just a sec Luce" he said as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Hey Mira, It's Natsu, you got a second?. Great, do you and your old man have room for another?, gah, no Mira you know I can't sing worth a damn" he said amused as Lucy looked at him puzzled as he turned towards her and smiled. "It's for my wife Lucy…yesss Mira(rolling his eyes) I got married. Haha , I have a daughter..I'll explain at some other point, can you get Lucy in?. Wonderful!, thanks a bunch Mira" he hung up with a pleased look on his face as he looked at Lucy. "Natsu…what did you just do?" she asked him. "I completely forgot, I had a friend, well you remember Mira from school?" "Yess, I remember , why?" "Well It turns out being in the mafia let's you get access to a lot including labels that are picky." "Natsu, what are you saying?" "You know Fairytail?" "They are one of the most popular record labels ever!" she said excited. "Mira and her dad run it …and it so happens they are looking for another artist" NATSU!" she screamed joyfully as she tackled him making him fall over.
"So good yes?" "GOOD, THIS IS AMAZING! I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING HUSBAND EVER!" "Haha, I told you I'll always support you and your music" he put a hand to her red cheek and lovingly said "I love you baby" "I love you too!" she squealed happily jumping off the couch and jumping in place making Natsu laugh hysterically. "Go , go tell the others" he said "Oh yeah!, I gotta tell the guys we have a gig again. YIPEE!" she ran off as she went to call Jellal and the other two. Couple hours later, the gang went over to their house to celebrate. "This is great Lucy" said Gray. "Oh yeah man, With FairyTail behind our backs, we'll be swimming in concerts before we know it" said Gajeel. "I'm really happy for you Lucy" congratulated Jellal as he gave her a nice hug as she hugged him tightly. "I just can't wait to start singing again!" "Mommy!" Layla greeted walking over and hugging her waist. "Hi baby" she said cheerfully. "You gonna sing again?" she asked. "Yes, Layla I am" she answered. "YAY" Layla cheered as everyone smiled and laughed in agreement. "Hey Erza" Gajeel whispered getting her attention as him and Gray eyed her to come over to a corner. "What's up?" she asked. "We did some digging like you wanted" said Gray. "Did you two find anything then?" Erza asked immediately in a serious tone. "Yes..and it's not good. Zeref got out from wherever he was being held. We didn't get that much but we were told that" "That's not the only thing" "What else?"she questioned. "He's on his way here to Magnolia. We don't know for what or why but he's on his way here" "Fuck" Erza cursed angrily. "Still think we should keep this from him? Asked Gajeel eyeing Natsu. She turned to see all of them and Jellal with bright, happy faces celebrating. "Yes" she replied coldly. "Natsu and his family have been through enough, they don't need to know unless something happens" "Erza" Whipping her head back around in a commanding voice "You two listen to me, I am his second and I am ordering the both of you right fucking now, you are not! To say anything to him or Lucy. That will be placed on my shoulders. Is that understood?" "Yes ma'am" they answered. "Good, now let's get back over there. It's not every day you guys get a record label like FairyTail signed up with" said Erza as they walked back over where they all celebrated. Natsu and Lucy were so happy they got their family back and Lucy's career. Everything was perfect.