Natsu had never thought he'd be so relieved to see the Eclipse Gate as he was when he first caught sight of it. Hoisting the still unconscious Lucy higher in his arms and very aware of the shadow he was lugging around as well, Natsu was shockingly exhausted. He didn't know if it was a combination of Lucy's problems, the additional weight of both she and Rogue, or the stress of ensuring the pair with them - Angel and Cobra, in addition to Cobra's snake Cubellios - didn't kill them, but he was tired.
It also could have also been the constant weight of uncertain confusion regarding Lucy herself, naturally. He had no idea what to do around her, even unconscious. He was tired of being angry, but...he was still so angry with her betrayal. She'd lied to him - openly lied to him. She'd told him to his face she wasn't sure about what happened regarding Crocus, yet she'd known the entire time it was him.
At least, Natsu thought as they scaled a rather steep hill and found the cottage waiting, they'd made it to a relatively safe location, where there were others to keep an eye on the pair accompanying him. He was rather surprised they were still there, actually. He'd have expected them to go up in smoke, vanishing the second he had Lucy.
Happy yowled on his shoulder quite suddenly, nearly making him jump. Natsu glanced around and found a pair of equally happy felines racing over to greet them. Frosch and Lector were both purring loudly by the time they reached Natsu's group. Natsu wasn't surprised when Rogue emerged, face pale and slicked with sweat, to greet them quietly. Both gentled immediately, recognizing he was in pain.
It wasn't long before someone was jogging up to greet them. Sting. Natsu felt a flicker of relief. While he still wasn't too fond of Sting after what he'd done and said so long ago, he'd help, if only for Rogue. "Natsu!" called Sting, faltering when he saw the wary pair nearby. He chose to ignore them, however, as he slid to a halt before him. "Where's-"
"Here, Sting," rasped Rogue, and the other Guardian of the Eclipse Gate snapped his head down to peer at his friend and partner. Sting's eyes flashed with concern and horror. Without hesitation, Rogue switched to Sting's shadow. Natsu rolled his shoulders a little, pleased to be relieved of the weight as Happy leaped down to sniff at Frosch and Lector.
Sting dropped into a low crouch, unbothered by the way Rogue's head barely poked out of the shadows. He was too tired to do much else. "You good?"
"Not really," muttered Rogue with a grimace, his expression one of agony.
Sting's gaze darted up to meet Natsu's. Irritation resided there - until he saw Lucy, not so much as stirring in his arms. "What happened?" he demanded. "We got a message from Leo when he left Aries's key with Yukino, but past that and the rumors that there was a huge incident in the southwest…"
"Long story that I don't wanna give right now," Natsu said bluntly, shifting impatiently. He just wanted to get Lucy to safety so he could focus on the pair accompanying them. They'd initially been there to keep Lucy safe, to avoid his wrath, Loke had told him. So why were they still around? He knew they'd kept her from getting hurt. There was no reason for them to linger like this.
As if reading his thoughts, which Natsu was fairly certain was actually the case, Cobra bared his teeth in a broad, vicious smirk. "We want to make sure you know we didn't do anything."
Natsu blanched, annoyed. "Noted. Go away."
"No." Cobra's smirk widened. He knew he was annoying Natsu, and it only served to agitate him further. Sensing the incoming danger, Sting interrupted.
"C'mon," he told Natsu, eyeing Cobra and Angel suspiciously. His gaze froze as it lingered on Angel, confusion evident as he studied her. He fell awkwardly silent for a few moments. Finally, he shook his head and finished what he'd been saying. "Yukino's made herself sick she's so worried, and I don't like it." He scowled, and Rogue uttered a sound of distress at the idea. He would be able to feel Yukino's concern and fears, Natsu realized. He likely hated them; Natsu knew he did when Lucy felt such things. Usually at least.
Another flicker of uncertainty raced down his spine as Sting launched for the cottage and Yukino at a quick walk, leaving the others to trail after him. Rogue vanished entirely into his friend's shadow, relieved to be home and safe. Normally, he hated Lucy's fears, too. Was he allowed to do that now with everything that had happened?
Cobra snickered.
Natsu tightened his grip on Lucy, a flicker of impatience racing through him. He wanted nothing more than to incinerate the new dragon. His skin crawled with the desire. Something about Cobra got under his skin in a way that made Natsu want to burn him where he stood.
This time, Cobra cackled at him, and Natsu nearly stopped dead to glare at him, a snarl ripping from his chest. It dragged Sting's attention back to them, curiosity in his eyes. Cobra could definitely read what he was thinking, Natsu decided, smoke billowing from his nostrils. Angel hastily tugged at Cobra's wrist, insistent. "Cobra," she hissed. "We're not here to fight, remember? We're here to do the opposite. And that doesn't include pissing off Dragneel."
Cobra stared him down unblinkingly, and Natsu stared back, ignoring the hiss of the massive violet snake curled around Cobra's shoulders. That would be Asuka's little temptation, he knew. Just the idea made him smoke more. This guy had addressed Asuka and scared her so badly, she'd had to come to him under a promise in order to spill the information. Cobra winced, knowing precisely what Natsu was thinking about. It was Natsu's turn to offer up a wide grin that was a fraction too sharp for Angel's liking. She paled as Natsu purred, "Yeah. Don't forget that you pissed me off before you even touched Lucy."
"Natsu, c'mon!" Sting shouted over his shoulder, and Natsu gave one final glare at the pair before following.
He had more important things to worry about at the moment, but he didn't forget. He'd sat around for months plotting how to get back at that councilman for what he'd done to them in the northern parts of Fiore. Natsu was anything but impatient, and knew how to strike where it hurt most.
Let Cobra read that in his thoughts.
The moon was high in the sky and almost everyone around him was sleeping soundly when Natsu felt the tug in his gut. He stilled in the darkness, comfortably leaning against the wall as Lucy rested beside him with Happy curled beside her head. Happy, sensing something was off, lifted his head with wide, unblinking eyes. Natsu grunted quietly, making a small gesture. He recognized this tug; he'd be fine without his little partner.
Happy settled back down to continue snuggling Lucy as Natsu rose to his feet silently. He easily picked his way through the cottage and ducked outside, ignoring the hiss that slipped from Cobra's lips when he passed. Cobra didn't bother to follow, and Natsu trusted the source of that tug to protect their words from prying ears. He'd already been working on protecting his thoughts, easily bypassing what he didn't want Cobra to know.
He couldn't wait to be free of the mind-reading dragon.
Natsu breathed in sharply, enjoying the fresh air of the crisp night. His eyes cast around sharply for the source of the tug that he was seeking, but he came up empty-handed. Grumbling in reluctance because he didn't want to leave Lucy behind, Natsu reluctantly headed towards the Gate. It was where he needed to be, his gut told him.
No matter how much he hated it.
He wasn't surprised by what he found waiting for him.
This time, the horse was short and stout. More of a pony then an actual horse, but strong and sturdy, and clearly just acquired. It was still whole, eyes burning into Natsu as he approached. It whickered in warning, ears pricked and silver in the moonlight. The figure upon it gathered the reins to prevent the pony from stepping forward, small and slim, too, like a child. It creeped Natsu out, if he was being honest, to see a child's face grinning from the head tucked beneath its arm.
"Dullahan," rumbled Natsu respectfully, "it's an honor to meet with you again."
It worried him, the number of times the Dullahan had appeared in the past three years. So many centuries of not seeing it, only for it to appear time and time again within such a short period. No, Natsu realized as he lifted his chin, it didn't just worry him. It almost scared him, actually.
Still, not now.
The Dullahan's grin widened, sunken eyes gleaming. Demon King. You answered my call so quickly...do you seek Death's kiss upon knowing what will soon take place?
Natsu clenched his jaw, jutting his chin out angrily, but held his tongue. "No," he said coolly. "And it won't happen." He remembered his conversation with Juvia; Lucy was trying to save the world for him, she'd said. He believed that, no matter how much it hurt to look at Lucy now.
The Dullahan clicked its tongue, a sound made more unnerving by the serious look that replaced its grin. You lack the conviction to ensure such an event does not occur, Demon King. Natsu nearly snarled at it, furious with the insult. The Dullahan's frozen look, however, stopped the words in their tracks. It was the number one rule he'd told Lucy when dealing with creatures like the Dullahan - don't insult them. Be polite. As I have said time and time again, Demon King, the Fates have made their choice, and what will come to happen will happen. Regardless of the desires of those like yourself. The reason behind it may change, but it will happen.
Natsu stubbornly shook his head. "It won't," he said firmly. There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice, however. "I can't be that monster again. I can't."
The Dullahan said nothing, thinking. After a long few moments, it decided to change the subject, much to Natsu's surprise. You greatly offended my beloved brother. When Natsu frowned, confused, it said a name in a language that Natsu could not hope to ever hear again. It was an ancient one, older than anything Levy would have heard of. Your kind gave it another name.
"The Nuckelavee?" suggested Natsu and the Dullahan said nothing, confirming it. "You have my sincerest apologies," Natsu said carefully, though the Dullahan most certainly didn't have his apologies. The thing had tried to kill them all. "It was necessary."
Insulting our kind is never necessary. Ancient laws permit punishment for those who do so, and my brother calls on those laws now. You will be considered lucky should you survive. Such laws have allowed us to reap your souls and destroy your corpses. Such laws have allowed us to torment you as we see fit. Such laws could allow us to take the bond you so cherish with your Marked One for ourselves - and leave you to endure such suffering for eternity.
This, Natsu realized, was why the Dullahan was here. To warn them about the Nuckelavee's fury. He wondered why the Dullahan had taken it upon itself to do so, but there were other things to focus on right now. Not that they'd not already known, but to hear that it was calling upon such old laws… A chill ran up his spine. "Is there a way for us to placate the Nuckelavee, Dullahan?" he carefully asked.
Sacrifice. The Dullahan's child-like eyes gleamed with mockery. Blood. Bone. Death. You cannot placate my beloved brother. It cannot be reasoned with - not like others of our kind. It will come for you until the end of days, Demon King. It was a mistake to believe otherwise.
Natsu nearly swore aloud, frustrated. As if they didn't have enough to worry about… "What kind of sacrifice would it require? You said death, but you never said what kind of sacrifice we'd have to make."
It matters not - so long as it is something of equal standing to what it lost.
Natsu stared hard at the Dullahan. "What about Acnologia?"
The laugh that left the Dullahan was horrifying. It was as if a thousand corpses had come up to laugh with him, and the sound silenced the night. You believe you can sacrifice a creature such as Acnologia? One who even myself avoids? You are brave and clever, child of demons. It is why my kind favors you, after all. Yes, my beloved brother would be placated by Acnologia's blood and bone; he will know to expect it within the circumstances of time. But that is not all you ask, I see it in your eyes. For having the courage to suggest this, I will answer what you ask.
"Lucy…" Natsu's mouth was dry. "Over and over, you have said that there's no stopping what happens. But we don't know why it happens. Lucy thinks that something will happen to her. Maybe there's some rules about telling us, but…"
You wish to know why you are considered one of my kind in future times? Natsu wasn't sure he liked the idea of being considered something like the Dullahan, who Death followed like a faithful companion. Still, he nodded. As you stated, Demon King, the laws of time and the Fates do not wish for you to know. Why should you know if the Keeper of Visions is not granted such information? But the Fates have decided, and it cannot be changed regardless, so they will allow for you to know that what you suspect is true. Lucy Heartfilia will be lost within the year.
Every thought emptied from Natsu's head and he felt sick, furious, and devastated all at once. He was still angry with her. He'd never not be angry with her. But she was Lucy, his Marked One and partner. His Lucy, the one who'd been the only one to accept him for what he was without batting an eye. The one who he suspected might have loved him as easily as he'd hated her for lying to him.
The one who he suspected he might have loved as easily as he wanted to hate her for it, but couldn't.
Within nine months, she'd be lost. To death, to time, to herself. He didn't know which, but she'd be gone, and he'd be alone, left to suffer the very way that the Dullahan had warned him it was capable of ensuring.
Hoarsely, Natsu forced himself to thank the Dullahan for the words that had shredded him to pieces, and the Dullahan studied him for a few moments, as if it could see the way this information ravaged his soul. Why do you suffer so? Is this not what you wished to know?
It was mocking him. It took everything in him to not burst into an inferno of hate and rage. "It is," he rasped, and the Dullahan laughed again at the fury in his words.
Farewell, Demon King.
Its pony took off, thundering into the night, and the moment it was gone, Natsu's knees buckled. He grunted in surprise as he struck the ground, unable to remain standing. "Damn it," he hissed, ashamed. He was the Demon King. He shouldn't have been so stricken with something like this; it was Lucy's fault, all her fault. She'd convinced him to feel such things, and now, she was going to abandon him, just like everyone else had. Like Igneel, like Zeref-
Fingers brushing over his cheeks had his thoughts clattering to an abrupt halt. He lifted his gaze and found Mavis standing over him, her pretty emerald eyes glimmering silver in the moonlight like the rest of her. Her hair flowed in an invisible breeze as she smiled gently. "Everything must end, Natsu."
His heart seized painfully. "You knew about all this?"
"I'm the goddess of knowledge," was her simple answer.
This...this was as bad as Lucy's lie. Worse almost. "And you didn't tell me?" His voice cracked, and he wanted to scream. He wasn't like this. He wasn't someone who felt pain so immensely. He wasn't someone who curled in a ball and let it overwhelm him. Yet tonight, without Lucy's presence in his mind, he couldn't seem to stop.
And it wasn't going to get better, because soon, Lucy would be gone.
"It wasn't time for you to know." Mavis rocked back on her heels, cocking her head. "There's a time and place for everything, you know, and the Fates are ever so concerned about when and where things happen." Her gaze softened. "I'm sorry that you've learned what you didn't want to hear."
Natsu was quiet for a long moment, gathering his thoughts. And when he had them, he gave her the sharpest glare he could muster. Without a word, he rose to his feet and towered over the goddess. His eyes flashed with something deadly and unreadable. And he said nothing as he whipped around and stalked away from the young goddess, mind racing.
He would change the future.
Even if it meant tearing Crocus apart like everyone said he would, he would change it.
Because a future without Lucy, even after everything that had happened, was much worse than becoming a monster.
I forgot to update again yesterday. Damn it. REGARDLESS HAVE A FUN DULLAHAN CHAPTER!
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