Ch. 18- A New Dawn


Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima

Story and OCs © Me


The sun rose over the hillside, shedding its glorious light across the entire Elise Kingdom. The dark shadows that once hid behind its walls had fled, giving off a sense of tranquility and serenity. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of hammers pounding against wood and children laughing as they ran along the streets while the adults went about repairing their damaged houses and buildings.

At Castle Elise, standing on the balcony while staring at the rising sun… there was Lars. His face no longer held that cold look; instead, his eyes and smile were about as warm and bright as the sunlight that shone over his kingdom. It was almost as if the nightmare that they had been plunged into several days ago never happened at all. Alistor and his hired henchmen had since been arrested by the Magic Council and taken into custody. Since then, the entire Elise Kingdom has been at peace.

"Lars?"

Lars turned to see Alyssandra approach with the same warm smile as she appeared.

"Alyssa," Lars acknowledged.

"Out here, again, are we?" asked Alyssandra.

"I just wanted to watch the sunrise, again," Lars replied as he looked out to the horizon and watched his subjects and his royal army help with the repairs of the town below. "Alyssa… ever since what happened, I feel as if our kingdom truly has been reborn… but for the better."

"I'm glad that you're still here, Lars," said Alyssandra, placing a hand on her brother's own. "I don't know what would have happened if I had lost you."

"I know… and I'm so sorry I put you through so much," Lars said, looking deeply remorseful. "Even worse… because of my foolish actions… Hasuko lost her life."

Alyssandra shook her head. "That's not true. Hasuko knows that you would never deliberately send someone to make an attempt on my life… and so do I."

"Thank you, Alyssa," said Lars as he looked out to the horizon, once more. "I'm only sad that… she had to sacrifice herself. I wish that she was still here to see our beautiful kingdom thriving, once again."

"She's alive in our hearts," Alyssandra reassured. "That's all that matters."

Lars smiled and nodded as he and his sister glanced down at the castle courtyard… where a bronze statue of Hasuko stood, proudly staring up at the sky with her kodachi in her hands and her cape billowing behind her.

In Memory of Hasuko Tsukuyomi

A True Warrior and Protector to the Very End

Rest in Peace

"By the way," Lars began, "how are our heroes doing?"

"Most of them are recovering nicely," Alyssandra replied before a look of concern washed over her face, "but… Natsu…"

XXX

In one of the castle's guest rooms, Natsu was lying in bed, his forehead, torso, and his left bicep wrapped up in bandages, as well as patches on his right cheek and under his left eye. He snored loudly, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Happy sat on the edge of the bed, his tummy wrapped up in bandages as he stared worriedly at his best friend and father figure, and nearby, Lucy sat in a chair, her forehead also in bandages, a patch on her left cheek, and her left wrist in bandages, as well, and she, too, shared in the little blue feline's worry as she watched the Fire Dragon Slayer slumber.

"He sure has been sleeping a long time, hasn't he?" asked Happy.

"Yeah," Lucy replied.

"Lucy?" Happy asked. "Is Natsu ever gonna wake up?"

"I'm sure he will, soon," Lucy reassured… although she sounded unsure herself. Despite being worried about Natsu… she just couldn't help but think about what happened during the battle against Belial. When Natsu consumed the demon's flames… it was like he had completely changed. He just wasn't Natsu anymore. The persona she saw before her… held nothing but pure rage and savagery.

It was like she was looking at… a demon.

That's when she remembered something else: something that Xavier Blightheart, Leader of the Gargoyle Talon Guild, had ranted to her and the others back on Dragon Island, several months ago.

"You don't realize what you're doing! You're practically dooming us all, don't you understand?! He may have you all fooled, but he can't fool me! I know what he is! If you ever found out the truth, you wouldn't be so quick to defend him!"

Lucy furrowed her brow as she thought back to what that madman had said. He claimed that Natsu was not all that he seemed, but back then, she didn't want to believe him… but now, she was starting to wonder if maybe it was true.

Maybe there was more to Natsu than she first thought.

"Lucy?"

Lucy turned to see Haru walk into the room. Her stomach and her right forearm were in bandages while Blue Fang stood behind her, his torso and his shoulder in the same state. In Haru's hands were some new bandages, clean and fresh.

"Hey," Haru greeted. "I brought a change of bandages, just in case."

"Thanks, Haru," said Lucy.

"Is Natsu still sleeping?" asked Haru as she came to look her brother over. "How long has it been?"

"4 days, now," Happy answered.

"That long?!" Haru questioned.

"Well, Haru, he was badly injured during that fight," said Lucy, "not to mention he had such a bad fever. It took Wendy using her Healing Magic and Gray making enough blocks of ice to get that down."

"Still, this is worrying me," Haru replied. "I haven't seen Natsu like this since after what happened at the Tower of Heaven!"

"Yeah… I know," Lucy muttered, worriedly.

A pause soon followed with Natsu's continuous snores still breaking the silence.

"Lucy?" Haru asked.

"Yeah?" Lucy asked back.

"Listen… I couldn't help but notice," Haru said. "You've been looking at Natsu really strangely, lately." Her eyes softened at the Celestial Spirit Wizard. "Did… something happen when we weren't there? Why was Natsu so exhausted when we found you guys? And more importantly… why were you shaking while you looked at him?"

Lucy's eyes widened while Happy and Blue Fang stood nearby, watching with worry.

"Lucy," Haru said with an almost stern-sounding tone in her voice, "if something happened to my big brother, I need to know. Please… don't keep anything hidden from me."

Lucy bit her lip, trying to find the right words to say. She knew that Haru loved Natsu dearly and just wanted to know if there was something she needed to know to prevent something like this from happening, again… but she just wasn't certain if the Beast Wizard could handle what she was going to say. Then again, Haru was always one of her closest friends and she was one of the first few people to make her feel at home in the Fairy Tail Guild. Maybe she could trust her, after all.

However, just as Lucy was about to speak, she heard a moan, causing her, Haru, Happy, and Blue Fang to look up and see that Natsu was slowly opening his eyes. He sat up and stretched his arms, letting out a jaw-cracking, tongue-curling yawn as excess tears formed in his eyes, then sleepily smacked his lips.

"Aw, man," he said as he scratched at the back of his head. "I slept great."

"Natsu!" Happy exclaimed as he jumped into Natsu's arms, taking him by surprise at first, but then Natsu grinned as he gently pat his little friend on the back.

"Hey, li'l buddy!" he exclaimed. "I'm glad to see you, too!"

Soon after, Blue Fang barked as he licked the Fire Dragon Slayer on the face, causing him to laugh as he wiped the drool off his face and pet the wolf on his head.

"And you, too, Blue Fang!" Natsu said before he noticed Lucy and Haru. "Hey, Luce! Hey, sis!"

"Hey, bro," Haru greeted. "Good to see you awake."

"Yeah… good to see you," Lucy agreed with a soft smile… and yet, Natsu couldn't help but feel something wasn't quite right.

"Hey, everything okay, Lucy?" Natsu inquired. "What's wrong with you?"

"What?" Lucy asked. "N-nothing! Everything's just fine."

Natsu tilted his head while blinking in puzzlement, and Haru seemed just as confused as her brother was… but then, a deep rumbling noise filled the air, causing all eyes to turn on Natsu, who groaned as he placed a hand over his stomach.

"Jeez, I'm STARVIN'!" he cried. "How long was I out for, anyway?"

"4 days," Haru answered.

"Seriously?!" Natsu questioned in shock. "No wonder I'm so hungry!"

"I thought I heard your growling gut, Flame-for-brains."

Standing in the doorway was Gray, along with Erza, Wendy, and Carla. While Gray had bandages around his chest and stomach, Erza had her shoulder and arm in bandages, while Wendy was in bandages up to her neck.

"Carla!" Happy exclaimed as he saw his crush enter before he flew up to her and handed her one of his raw fish. "Do you want one? I saved it, especially for you!"

"How many times do I have to tell you I don't want your rotten, smelly fish, Tom Cat?!" Carla spat.

"Honestly, it's about time you woke up," said Gray. "I couldn't take listening to your snoring for four days straight."

"You tryin' to start somethin', Icicle?!" asked Natsu.

"Maybe I am!" Gray spat. "What are you gonna do about it?!"

"Don't you two start," Erza said as she glared at them, causing both of them to tense in fright. "Don't forget, we're still staying in the princess' castle. We must treat this place with respect."

"I'm just glad that you're awake, Natsu," Wendy said. "You had such a high fever on top of your injuries."

"Where's everyone else?" asked Natsu. "Did they all go home?"

"Nah," replied Haru. "They're still staying here. Master insisted that everyone in the guild stays until we've all rested up."

"Now that you're awake, Natsu," Erza began, "we can start getting ready."

"Huh?" asked Natsu. "Ready for what?"

"Oh, yeah!" Haru exclaimed. "Alyssa's brother says that to thank us for saving him and the Elise Kingdom, he's having the castle staff prepare a huge banquet!"

"Wait, for real?!" Natsu asked with drool dripping from his mouth.

"I bet there's gonna be lots of yummy fishies, Natsu!" Happy exclaimed, drooling just as much as he was.

"Good grief…" Carla muttered. "Your stomachs might as well be in your skulls if food is all you think about."

"Now that you're awake," Erza began, "I'll tell Alyssandra so that the staff can prepare for the banquet."

"They might wanna make 4 banquets," Gray quipped as he followed her. "That might not be enough for Natsu's appetite."

"I heard that!" Natsu shouted. "Oh, hey! Ask if there's gonna be any fire!"

"I don't think they make fire at banquets, bro," Haru replied while Lucy just quietly stood to the side.

"Lucy?" Wendy asked. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah… everything's fine," Lucy replied, but even still, she didn't sound very certain… and Natsu could only stare at her, bewildered as to why she was acting so strangely.

"Hey, Lu!"

Lucy turned around to see Levy, as well as Cana, Mirajane, and Juvia.

"Alyssa says that we can use the castle's royal bathhouse before we get ready for the party!" Levy said. "Do you, Haru, Wendy, and Carla wanna come with us?"

"Sure, I'll be right there!" Lucy replied as she, Haru, Wendy, Carla, and Blue Fang followed after them, leaving Natsu and Happy to sit in the guest room, alone.

"Hey, Natsu?" Happy asked, causing Natsu to look at him. "Since we're both up, let's go to the men's bath!"

"Heh!" Natsu grinned. "Yeah, sounds good to me!"

XXX

"Ahh… this feels so good…" Cana sighed as she sat in the tub.

In the royal bathhouse, the girls had all congregated here to take a nice soothing bath. After all they went through, it was nice to be able to sit here and relax. Not only were Lucy, Wendy, Carla, Juvia, Erza, Cana, and Levy in the bath, but Alyssandra, Mirajane, Bisca, Laki, and Elektra were there, too. Blue Fang was also present, but he wasn't really bothering anyone.

"Normally, we take baths after we eat," said Alyssandra, "but I think we all deserved this, don't you?"

"I couldn't agree with you more, Your Highness," said Erza as she gently scrubbed Wendy's hair. "It's good to be able to relax like this."

"Maybe one of these days, I could ask Grandpa to actually install a bathhouse for the guildhall back home," Elektra added while she lathered some soap on her arms.

"That would be great, actually!" Mirajane added.

"If only Gray were here to enjoy this," Juvia bemoaned.

"You do realize that this is the girl's bath, right?" Cana asked with a deadpan tone.

"I really can't thank you all enough for everything you've done," said Alyssandra.

"The fact that your brother is alive and your kingdom is safe is reward enough, Your Highness," Erza assured. "After all, we are friends."

"Even so, I'll be sure to reward you all properly," said Alyssandra. "It's the very least I could do."

"Hey, Lu, do you think you could wash my back for me?" asked Levy… but there was no answer. "Uh… Lu? Did you hear me?"

In a corner of the large bathtub, Lucy sat by herself, curled up nose-deep in water as she hugged her legs. Her expression was distant and filled with worry as she sat quietly, to the rest of the girls' concern.

"Lucy?" Elektra asked, causing the Celestial Spirit Wizard to glance at her. "Are you all right, hon?"

"Yeah, you haven't said much," said Wendy.

A pause… before Lucy sighed as she got out of the tub, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around her body.

"I'm sorry, guys," she said. "I'm gonna go back to my room and get dressed. The rest of you can keep enjoying the bath."

"Are you sure?" Cana asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Lucy replied before she gave everyone a smile. "I'll be fine, trust me."

As she walked out, though, the girls all watched in concern… particularly Haru, who got out, grabbed her towel, and followed after Lucy while hurriedly tying it around her body. Blue Fang also got up to follow his partner while the rest of the girls watched in confusion.

"What was that all about?" asked Bisca.

"Search me," Cana shrugged.

XXX

"Lucy?" Haru called as she entered the bedroom she shared with Lucy. She found her sitting on the bed, still wearing her towel around herself as she stared down at the floor with a forlorn look.

"Lucy, is everything okay?" Haru asked as she sat down beside her while Blue Fang sat in front of Lucy, putting his head on her lap.

"To be honest… no," Lucy answered. "Everything's not okay, Haru."

Haru's brow furrowed as she looked at the Celestial Spirit Wizard. "Lucy… tell me the truth: what happened to Natsu during the fight Belial?"

A pause… before Lucy sighed and sniffed, trying her damnedest not to cry.

"Haru… just before you guys got there," she said, "Natsu was trying to fight Belial by himself… but when he breathed in its flames… something did happen to him. It gave him more power, that much is true, but… when he ate it… he started acting strange."

"What do you mean?" asked Haru.

"He wasn't even acting like Natsu, anymore!" Lucy replied. "He… he tried to attack Happy and me!"

Haru's eyes widened and a quiet gasp of shock escaped her lips.

"He snapped out of it," Lucy began, "but… it was terrible." She bit her lip as she tried to will herself to continue. "Then… I remembered something. Remember Xavier from Gargoyle Talon?"

"That psycho that tried to kill Natsu back on Dragon Island?" asked Haru. "What about him?"

"He said that… he knows something about Natsu that we don't," Lucy said. "Haru… what if it's true? What if Natsu isn't really all he seems?"

"Don't tell me you actually believe what that guy said," Haru countered. "Lucy, look… I don't know what the hell that nutcase was thinking… but I seriously doubt that Natsu would do something like this." Her eyes turned serious as she kept talking. "You shouldn't worry about that… Natsu would never hurt the people he loves, especially on purpose."

"…I hope you're right, Haru," said Lucy as tears welled up in her eyes, "because… I'm afraid that this might happen again… and I don't know if he'll snap out of it on his own…!" She then sniffled and wiped at her eyes, but they still kept falling, causing Haru's eyes to soften.

"Oh, Lucy," Haru said as she hugged her. "Come here."

Lucy quietly sobbed as she returned the Beast Wizard's embrace, hugging her tightly as she buried her face in her shoulder while Blue Fang whined sadly as he watched.

However, just outside the door… Natsu stood nearby, his eyes wide in shock.

'I… I really did that…?' he thought… and in his mind's eye, he could see the frightened face of Lucy as she held a terrified Happy in her arms protectively.

"Yo, Natsu!"

"Huh?" Natsu muttered as he turned to see Gray standing nearby, wearing his casual dark blue shirt and black jeans and boots.

"What are you doin' here, man?" Gray asked. "I thought you were going to the bath."

A pause… before Natsu's eyes narrowed.

"Gray… I need to talk to you," he said, "but not here, okay?"

"Hmm?" Gray blinked in perplexity. "Uh… sure."


Oh, boy...!

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