Natsu wasn't sure how long he could stand traveling in this God forsaken bog. He was certain that if he had to inhale the stench any longer he would throw up or pass out.

"I can't take this." He said. "How much further?"

"Not much." Lucy said. "We just have to get across this bridge and we'll be out of the bog."

"What a relief."

But when the three reached the bridge they were intercepted by something that came flying out of a tree. It was a small blue cat with wings.

"Stop!" He said. "Stop I say!"

"Wow a talking cat." Natsu said amazed. "And it has wings too. Does it fly?"

"I am not an it." The cat said. "I am a him and will be addressed as such."

"Sorry if we're intruding but we have to get across that bridge." Lucy said.

"Without my permission no one may cross."

"Oh come on man, have a heart." Natsu said. "We have to get out of this stench."

"Stench? What stench?" The cat sniffed. "I smell nothing."

"You're joking." Natsu said in disbelief.

"But I live by my sense of smell." He said. "The air is sweet and fragrant."

"You're nose blind." Erza said.

"So you say but even I was it wouldn't change anything. None may pass without my permission."

"Get out of the way." Natsu move toward the bridge but the cat blocked his path.

"I'm warning you. I'm sworn to do my duty." Said the persistent cat. "If you do not heed my word I will have to use force."

"Yeah right." The young man laughed. "I practically tower over you. I'm twice your size and I lift weights. What could you possibly do to threaten me?"

But those proved to be a very poor choice of words because in that moment the winged feline leapt on to his face and started scratching and biting him all over. He started running about the area in a panic while Lucy followed after him and tried to pull the cat off.

"Ahh! Get it off! Get it off!" He shouted.

"I'm trying to! Hold still!" Lucy said trying so hard to grab the cat but it moved too quickly for her fingers to even touch it. "Erza aren't you going to help?"

"Why would I help? I'm enjoying the show." The fairy said with an amused grin on her face.

"You fairies can be so nasty!" Lucy scoffed before proceeding with her attempt to end this brawl between man and cat. "Here kitty, kitty. Come to Lucy. If you get off the nice man's face I'll give you a tasty fish."

"Really?!" The cat said excitedly and while he was distracted, Natsu knocked him off and sent him flying into the hollow of a tree.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asked Natsu.

"I'll live. Stupid cat!"

"To be fair he did warn you."

"But did he have to maul my face?"

"He did not maul your face. You're not even bleeding."

"Still I'm going to teach that furball a lesson." He said cracking his knuckles. "Where is he?"

"He's stuck in that tree over there." Erza said.

The hollow of the tree was very small and when the cat was thrown into it his head got stuck. His body wiggled and squirmed to escape but it was no use. He just couldn't get out on his own. So he started to whine and mewl in sorrow.

"Oh the poor thing." Lucy said with sympathy.

"Serves him right." Natsu said. "Now let's go."

"Wait we can't leave him like this."

"Why not?"

"Natsu don't be mean. Help him."

"But he tried to tear off my face."

"Help him or I'll push you into the bog."

Natsu groaned in frustration but he complied with her demand. He grabbed hold of the cat's body and carefully pulled him out of the hollow. The cat looked at him surprised.

"You got me out of there." He said. "Even though I attacked you."

"Yeah don't remind me or I'll put you back."

"You are truly a good hearted person. Thank you. Thank you so much."

He crawled up on to Natsu's shoulder and started to nuzzle him affectionately.

"Awww! That's so adorable." Lucy awed.

"Uh...You're...You're welcome." Natsu said trying not to look embarrassed.

"From now on I'll consider you my friend and ally." The cat said.

"Great. Now if you'll excuse us we have to be going."

"Wait a minute. You forget my sacred vow. I cannot let you pass."

"But you just said I was your friend now."

"True but I have taken an oath and I must defend it to the death."

"Alright let's approach this logically." Lucy said. "What exactly have you sworn?"

"I have sworn with my life blood that no one shall pass this way without my permission."

"Well may we have your permission?"

"Yes! Finally! Someone asks!" He said. "Do you know how many times someone tries to come across here and as soon as I tell them my oath they automatically resort to brute force? They never think to ask my permission. It's so irritating. I'm actually very easy going and I don't mind letting anyone use this bridge."

"Then why attack me?!" Natsu asked.

"Because you didn't ask and attempted to use force. If you had taken a more reasonable approach I would have gladly granted you access."

"So we have your permission to go across?" Lucy asked.

"Yes ma'am."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. If I may ask where are you all going?"

"To the goblin city."

"You're going there? I don't think that's a good idea. The goblin city isn't exactly a friendly place."

"I know. I used to live there or rather I used to live in the castle at the center of the city which happens to be our main destination."

"That castle is even worse than the city. Why go there?"

"To find my sister." Natsu said. "Somehow she ended up in there and now I have to find her and bring her home."

"In that case I shall accompany you."

"Why?"

"Because you did me in service and in turn you will not only have my friendship but also my aid. The city and the castle are dangerous places so I will come to protect you all."

"Protect us? How could someone your size protect-" The cat retracted his claws to remind Natsu not to underestimate him. "Uh... Nevermind."

"Besides you'll never be able to get into the castle without my help. The goblins don't let anyone in who they don't like and if not mistaken goblins don't like fairies or humans."

"You're right but I'm not human." Lucy said.

"Really? You certainly look like one."

"But I'm not. I'm Princess Lucy, sister to the goblin king."

"Your majesty." He said bowing respectfully. "A thousand pardons your grace. I did not recognize you."

"That's alright. Without that mask of mine who could?"

"But even so you still won't be able to get in because with all due respect your majesty, the goblins don't like you either. They also don't respect your title or position as they do your brother's. After you left the castle we were all ordered by the owl priest to no longer consider you a member of the royal family."

"Why am I not surprised?" She said sarcastically.

"I however always saw you as a true princess and it would be an honor to serve you. Allow me to join you on your journey and I'll help you get in."

"And how would you do that?" Erza asked skeptically.

"I have a friend on the inside. He'd be willing to help us out I'm sure. But I'm the only one who knows how to reach him and he might be a little skittish around strangers like you. If I came along I could locate him and talk him into lending you a paw."

"He does make a good point." Erza admitted. "I say we bring him."

"Me too." Lucy added.

"Alright then cat. I guess you're coming with us." Natsu said.

"Great but I have a name you know. It's Happy. Sir Happy."

Natsu fought the urge to laugh at how silly that name sounded. Sir Happy. Sounded like something his sister would name a stuffed animal.

"Sir Happy." Lucy thought to herself. "Why does that name sound so familiar?"

But she didn't think on it long. Instead she, Natsu, and Happy walked across the bridge while Erza flew across. Once they reached the other side they continued with their journey.