He'd forgotten something important.

But as the red mist clouded his mind he pushed that nagging thought to the back of his head. Fire swirled around him in a towering inferno. Bodies were strewn carelessly across the ground, red flames specked with black blazing across the battlefield. He relished in the smell of their blood, practically tasting it on his tongue. A twisted, toothy grin broke out across his face, flashing shark-like teeth. E.N.D stood proudly over the carnage. He allowed the flames to die down, letting him see exactly how much destruction had been done. His smile grew as a contented purr hummed in the back of his throat. Then two figured emerged from the smoke and that purr distorted into a snarl.

A man with no shirt was yelling at him, inky stains streaking up his arm as his hands curled into fists. A gash in his side had been sealed over with ice and various other cuts and bruises littered his torso. He was breathing heavily, previous battle weighing severely on his physical health. E.N.D cocked his head, curious at the one who was still standing. His talons itched as he thought about burying them into his flesh and ripping out his insides, the very thought widening his demented grin. A girl with startling red hair stood behind him, using the shirtless man's shoulder to hold herself up, clothed in only a pair of torn red trousers and some bandages. A katana dropped limp at her side. She too was exhausted.

"Gray… don't…"

"It's not him anymore Erza" The man called Gray said, remorse seeping its way into his voice. "He's gone" Anger flowed throughout his body as he adjusted his stance. E.N.D watched, picking up on the hint of sadness that flowed between the pair. He did not understand. And that made him angry.

Gray lunged with a battle cry, a sword of ice forming in his outstretched hand, striking hard and fast. E.N.D threw himself forward, lighting his body up as he used his arms to block the sword, the scales over his body protecting him from the attack that would've taken off his arm under normal circumstances. The sword cracked as it collided and Gray drew it back instantly, taking one last swing at his head before it shattered. Ducking under the ice-wizards' outstretched arm E.N.D quickly followed up with several punches that forced him into the dirt. Gray's breath turned ragged and he winced at the pain in his side. The fire demon growled, taking a deep breath before unleashing a breath attack. Gray threw up his hands and a shield appeared, blocking most of the flames. The heat rolled off in pillars of smoke and E.N.D used the cover to leap forward, slashing at the shield until it caved in. Gray barely had time to throw himself out of the way before the demon's talons grabbed at where he had been. He landed awkwardly on his injured side, crying out as the ice covering his wound cracked. Fresh blood trickled from the break. E.N.D lunged towards the fallen man, talons ablaze.

Erza stumbled forward, her tattered clothes replaced with a red and gold armour. She swung her sword, stopping him as he tried to bury his talons into Gray's chest. Her arms trembled as she used the last of her strength to deflect the attack. But that left her wide open. In one swift motion he threw her to the ground and tore apart her armour, laughing as she cried out in pain. Toying with his prey he kicked her hard in the stomach and he heard a crack as she coughed up blood. Gray yelled at him again and he sent a blast of fire soaring in his general direction, laughing harder as he curled into a ball to avoid it.

His fun was interrupted when an arrow of pure starlight shot by his head. He turned towards the culprit, teeth bared. A growl rumbled in his chest and he encouraged his flames to grow.

A girl stood before him, golden hair dirtied and tangled in a strange green dress that was familiar to him even if he couldn't quite understand how. She lowered the golden bow in her hands. Tears streamed down her face. In a flash of gold her appearance changed and the bow evaporated into nothing, leaving behind torn and ragged clothing. She walked towards him, forcing herself upright even with the obvious limp in her left leg from a nasty wound. He took a deep breath; her scent invaded his senses. Vanilla and stardust but tainted by the overwhelming stench of blood and death. His fire died down, leaving behind only the scorched earth. The scent was calming.

"That's enough"

Her voice… it was quiet yet pierced his very soul and stirred something deep in his gut. He stared into her doe-like eyes, feeling himself becoming quickly entranced by the warm brown colour. They held no fear as she stood before him, only a burning determination.

"Natsu…" She said. As if coaxing a frightened animal, she raised her hand, bringing it forward until she rested her palm against his cheek, thumb swiping lightly over his skin.

"I need you to remember…"

"No… run!" He heard Gray shout. "It's not him!" E.N.D paid him no mind though, all his attention had been stolen by the crying girl who smelled of vanilla and stardust.

"I need you to remember…" She repeated "For me…"

A throbbing pain erupted in his head and he screamed, talons ripping into his hair as he tore away from her grasp. He saw flashes of a life, of the girl with golden hair shining as bright as the stars themselves as she laughed with him, pulling on his hand as she dragged him off on their next big adventure. Her big brown eyes filled with love. That nagging thought jerked its way back.

He had forgotten something.

He felt his anger rise as confusion and pain mix together in an upending barrage in his head. Without another thought he lashed out, dug his claws into her flesh and swiped upwards, sending her flying through the air with a scream. Blood splattered, coating his chest in a deep crimson.

"Lucy!"

Gray and Erza's voices barely registered… But that name… it snapped something in him.

He had forgotten something very important.

The red was still hazing his mind. But suddenly a small streak of golden light burst through, warm and loving, clearing away the mist. He was beginning to remember. He stalked over to the golden girl… to Lucy. She lay on her back, right hand clenched over her stomach in a vain attempt to stem the blood flow.

"Remember… please… This isn't you" She coughed, spitting blood into the mud. Even when on the ground, unable to move, she still held that same determination. Even as tears dripped slowly from her eyes she refused to look away as E.N.D loomed over her.

The haze cleared slowly, the red clouding his vision disappearing as his actions slammed to the front of his mind. Her breath hitched as took as deep a breath as she could. She smiled.

"Come back to me Natsu…"

Natsu's heart shattered as his mind was forcefully stitched back together. The atrocities he had committed from the moment his curiosity had got the better of him and he had opened the book…the people he had killed… the friends he had hurt. Lucy's screams… He fell to his knees, hands trembling as he cautiously reached towards her. His talons had transformed again, leaving only calloused, tanned hands covered in blood and dirt. He could taste his own tears on his lips.

"Lucy…"

Somehow her smile widened, and a small trickle of blood slipped from her lips.

"Natsu…" She sounded relieved.

He scooped her up into his arms and pulled her into his lap, cringing as she cried out in pain, bringing her close to his chest. More blood poured from a gash in her stomach, trailing diagonally across her body, stopped just short of her collarbone. Her head tucked into his neck. He repeated her name over and over, praying to any gods he could that somehow… somehow, it wasn't true. That she would live. She had too… but there was so much blood. Lucy's blood…

Lucy let out a strained grunt as her hand lifted from its place in her lap. Her touch on his skin was so light Natsu barely felt it as her fingers trailed over his cheekbone. He pressed his hand over hers, noticing as he had done a thousand times how small her hand was in his. She lifted her head, gently kissing his cheek.

Natsu turned his head and captured her lips in his, pouring everything he had into that moment. This kiss was wet and salty where their tears fell in direct contrast to her lips. They soft and warm. He was gentle, trying not to put her in more pain than she was. But in that moment he needed her close. He moved her hand from his cheek to his chest, squeezing her it tightly. Her guild mark partially hidden under splatters of deep crimson.

"Don't forget…" She mumbled against his lips. Natsu pressed his forehead against hers, eyes closed, his tongue heavy as lead as he failed to say everything he wanted. How much she meant to him… how much he loved her. He opened his eyes and she smiled at him again.

"I… I won't… I p… promise" He stuttered through his sobs. Lucy's head slipped down, relaxed back against his shoulder. She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. She could almost be sleeping. And for a moment Natsu allowed himself to dream.

"Lucy?" He heard no reply. "Lucy!" His grip tightened, fingers digging into her skin. He shook his head, trying in vain to deny the reality before him. Tears streamed down his face as he let out a loud wail.

From behind him, Gray and Erza held each other close, sobbing silently as they watched.

Natsu cradled Lucy's broken body, rocking back and forth, burying his nose into her golden hair, trying to drown out the smell of blood with vanilla and stardust.

Then turned to the sky and roared as his grief consumed him.

He had forgotten something important… and it cost him everything.