Chapter 3:
The day was reaching its end and after a long, complicated day, he was ready to enjoy some alone time with Lucy with a lovely dinner date follow by some sexual session if they aren't too tired. Though, most of the afternoon he had been on his mind thinking of everything that has transpired: The dead dragon, the key that was given to him, the story of the Dragon Knight, and the dream with the Dragon Knight himself. Selene decided to call it night early since it showed she never recovered from what happened today but now he has so many questions on mind and he came with a solution: Protect the key at all cost and find the temple he's been seeing in his dream. But for now, he's happy to at least enjoy some time with his girlfriend but she did also notice he's been distracted so she decides to tease him around for a bit.
Lucy: *smirks* Are you staring off to other girls around here Natsu?
Natsu: Huh?! No I'm not! I-I'm simply staring at the food we are about to feast on.
Lucy: *giggles* I'm just messing with you silly. But I can tell you are distracted by something.
Natsu sighed trying to decide whether to tell Lucy the truth or to lie for her own safety. He knows she's a strong fighter but if something is coming, he rather wants to keep her safe than risk her life fighting and possibly losing her own life as well, NO! He did not want to think that.
Natsu: *sighs* Earlier today when Selene and I were exploring, we heard there was a dragon nearby. When we went to check it out, it was already dying from massive blood loss like a huge stab near its chest.
Lucy: So that's why Selene was down when we got back to the hotel.
Natsu: She doesn't kill dragons for fun or pleasure, it hurts her when it's the only option left. We watched it turn into dust and headed back here after that.
Lucy knows by the look on Natsu face that reminded him of Igneel's death and how broken he was at the time but it wasn't the only thing on Natsu's mind. He did tell her the truth but not all of it, not sharing with her about the relic key.
Natsu: But she will get over it eventually, I still have hope she finds a new start in her second chance. Now tell me, how many cute dresses did my beautiful girlfriend buy?
Lucy: *giggles* Just the ones I sent you actually. Thought I would like more smoking hot with them.
Natsu: Geez Lucy, I already told you that you are the most beautiful girl I ever known and the most amazing girlfriend in the universe.
Lucy: Oh, I know. I just wanted you to say it. Now tell me that you love me.
Natsu holds Lucy's hand before leaning towards her and giving her a passionate in which she returns back. It took a while especially after every major event and fights that have occurred but now, they can be happy together knowing nothing can separate them no more. They both want to be there for each other, to protect each other, fight together, and make each other happy and loved. After their kiss, Natsu lays his forehead on Lucy's forehead which to them is a sign of comfort.
Natsu: *pulls away* I love you so much Lucy Heartfilia.
Lucy: I love you too Natsu Dragneel, forever and ever.
2 hours have passed by, the streets are now quiet for the night as people close up shop and head off for the night, ready for another bright day. But for Natsu and Lucy, they're not done with the night just yet as they just finished enjoying another make out session.
Lucy: *pants* I...don't know who was more fired up...you...or your little dragon.
Natsu: *breathes heavily* I'd say both Gehee.
Lucy: Great...now you're becoming Gajeel.
Natsu: Because I just had a hot and fired up party with you dork.
The couple share a good yet exhausted laugh before Lucy rests on Natsu's chest while he looks up at the ceiling as they slowly begin to drift to sleep.
Lucy: What do you wanna do when all this is over, the 100 Year Quest?
Natsu: I want to take you to Matera. It's perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the world...and it feels like the perfect place for us to stay for a month.
Lucy: *giggles and gasps* Y-You're telling me, a vacation to one of the top 3 most beautiful places in the world? And from all this fun quest and blowing up stuff up? Who are you and what did you do with my boyfriend?
Natsu: *chuckles* It's still me but I want to try and change a bit now that I'm taking an important step in life...with you.
Lucy: Now I really want to finish this quest fast so we can go to Matera and other places around the world. Some with our guild family and some with just us.
Natsu: We will babe, I promise. We have all the time in the world.
Lucy: *smiles sleepy* Matera...wait for us...
Natsu watches as his girlfriend begins to sleep while he decides to stay awake for a little bit more thinking of their vacation. So many beautiful places she'll love, a giant yet majestic beach, beautiful homes to stay, the wonderful culture, once this quest was over, Natsu will book a reservation. But for now, he has to complete the tasks that bother his mind: 100 Years Quest, Ignia, The Key, and now the Temple of the Dragon Knight.
Natsu: *sighs* All the Time in the World...
And with that, Natsu joins Lucy for the night sleeping together with a love so strong, not knowing what will be coming for them, Fairy Tail, and the world.
(NEXT MORNING)
Resting time was officially over as Team Natsu with Selene depart the town they stayed in and head off onto the next chapter of the 100 Years Quest. As everyone was minding their own business: Erza chatting with Wendy, Gray chatting with Lucy, and Happy trying to flirt with Carla, Natsu slows down for Selene to catch up and to have a private conversation about the temple.
Natsu: Selene, I've been thinking about the temple you were referring to.
Selene: What is it?
Natsu: Is it possible you may know where it's located? I know it's a lot but the dreams and visions of the Dragon Knight and the temple won't stop until I get there and see what it needs from me.
Selene: Specifically, I don't know where it's located. All I know is that, it's located around the Desierto region. Do you think perhaps that's where we can also take the key?
Natsu: The dragon said to protect it from whoever wants it, perhaps if we do take it to the temple, we can stop this for good.
Selene: Does your team know?
Natsu: *sighs* They don't. We are strong, both individually and together...but I don't want to put them at risk for whoever is coming for the key. It's too dangerous.
Selene: So, what's your plan then?
Natsu: Our next stop for the night, you and I leave for Desierto while they continue with the 100 Years Quest...it's the only way.
Before Selene can respond, they hear sounds coming from the forest which startles everyone. All but Selene who is still hurt from her last battle against Ignia prepares to attack the moment it pops out of the forest only to hear a young woman's voice.
Faris: D-DON'T ATTACK TEAM NATSU!
Touka: HAPPY!
Lucy: Wait... is that?
From the forest pops out Faris and the exceed known as Touka who charges to hug Happy as he hugs her back in rejoice leaving a jealous Carla.
Touka: I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN MY HERO!
Happy: AYE TOUKA, ME TOO!
Wendy: Faris, what are you two doing here? Weren't you just back in Elentir?
Faris: We were but there's been a situation that just happened at our local prison and now-
Faris eyes widen the moment she saw the Moon Dragon which also startled her exceed companion as they both move back in fear to the confusion of Selene.
Touka: W-What is Selene doing here?!
Faris: S-She's possessing them, she probably used them to help the sisters escape!
Natsu: Whoa whoa slow down you two. We are not possessed or hypnotized and Selene is with us, she's trying to change and let go of her past actions.
Selene: You said sisters? Are you referring to Mimi, Yoko, and Hakune?
Touka: *nods* They have escaped with a dragon mage that has fire magic like Natsu. That's why we thought Selene did something to you.
Selene: Escaped?! By someone with fire magic? *Looks at Natsu*
Natsu: ...Ignia.
Gray: Why the hell would he break them out? How did he even find a way to Elentir?
Natsu: He's must've had assistance from someone who can do teleportation magic just like Selene and Touka. He must have a reason as to why...he...
Lucy: Natsu?
Erza: What's going on?
Natsu: The key...Selene...he's the one who we need to protect the key from!
Wendy: What key?
The shock in Natsu and Selene said it all for Team's Natsu. Lucy knows about what happened with the dragon yesterday, it would seem Natsu didn't tell her the entire story though.
Selene: Team Natsu, please do not be mad at your leader for the decision he took. We found a dying dragon near town and gave us this. *Shows the key* It prevents a portal from opening which contains ruthless dragons who wish to destroy and conquer this world.
Lucy: *eyes widen* Just like the Eclipse Gate...
Natsu: Ignia is trying to make it even with us! He has the sisters and the mysterious partner by his side making it 5 people just like us.
Selene: He must know I'm still not 100% recovered and doesn't think Touka and Faris are here so it is 5 on 5.
Erza: Then we must keep going-
Ignia: Going where exactly? You've made it to your destination!
Now things have truly gotten serious as Team Natsu stands face to face with the Fire Dragon God and they know what he wants. Natsu never liked the idea of killing but at this moment and what he is feeling...he wanted Ignia dead!
Ignia: Natsu, my dear brother, I believe you have something that belongs to me. Hadn't that old dragon given me a low blow; I would've had it already. Too bad I gave him a good wound to remind him who he's dealing with!
Now it all made sense and it shook Natsu and Selene to the core. Ignia was the culprit behind the Dragon's death because he was trying to protect the key from him at all cost.
Natsu: So it was you!
Selene: This is going too far Ignia! You are creating a dangerous future for this world and our human allies!
Ignia: You think I care about these pesky humans? I didn't get the job done in finishing you off Selene, now I gotta make sure I put you down. *smirks* And as for my goal, you're not getting in the way. *whistles* Allow me to introduce to you to my own team!
Team Natsu couldn't believe their eyes; it was truly the Moon sisters who were freed by Ignia and God Serena as the mystery partner.
God Serena: You should see the look on your faces! THE LOOK OF DEFEAT TO TRUE WARRIORS AND GODS!
Hakune: So the rumors were really true, Selene is a part of Fairy Tail.
Mimi: YOU TRAITOR!
Yoko: It seems they have the numbers game Lord Ignia.
Selene and Natsu: Lord?
Ignia: It seems you are right, let's split them up!
Without hesitation, Mimi stomped her foot to the ground causing a massive earthquake as everyone tried to hang onto something until Ignia performed Universe One to the shock of everyone.
Ignia: Let the end begin.
Erza: Hold on to each other!
It was too late however as Erza was the first to be shifted away then Wendy and the Exceeds, followed by Gray, then Selene. Only Natsu, Lucy, Faris, and Touka held on to each other but the spell was getting stronger as the ground shook harder.
Natsu: LUCY! DON'T LET GO!
Lucy: I'M TRYING!
Touka: FARIS! GRAB ONTO THAT TREE FOR US!
Touka acted as fast as she could as she tries to reach for the tree next to them while everyone hangs on. However, as the ground shook more it caused Lucy and Natsu to separate hands.
Natsu: NO! LUUUUUUCYYY! GRAB MY HAND FAST!
Lucy and Natsu continue to get closer to connect hands again but it was too late as Lucy is shifted away by the spell causing fear and shock to Natsu as the shifting stopped leaving Natsu, Touka, and Faris together.
Natsu: No...NO! NO! NO! LUCY!
Natsu kept running hoping that his love held on to something close but nothing. The panic in him grew more as Touka and Faris try catching up to him.
Natsu: HAPPY! WENDY! ERZA! GRAY! CARLA!...LUCYYYYYY! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
Natsu collpases on his knees punching the ground, he lost his team, his love, and now the enemy is possibly looking for each of them. Soon the panic grew into anger as he knew what he must do. Pulling out the key to the shock of Faris and Touka, Natsu was going to kill Ignia once and for all.
Faris: I thought Selene had it!
Natsu: She gave it to me before Ignia used Universe One, she's hoping to trick him so we can run off with the key. But I'm not running away, I'm going to find them and beat Ignia and his team. I need you two to stay here with the key until I can find my exceeds or Selene, they're the only ones who can transport you unless Touka has enough energy to create one fast.
Touka: I can't, it took a lot from me.
Faris: We won't need it Touka! We are coming with you Natsu-
Natsu: There's no time to argue please...*hands the key* Stay here and hide. I'll be back but if I don't...if none of us return, Touka try your best to create a portal and head to Desierto. As of today, we are at war...
Before the girls can counter argue with Natsu, he proceeds to run off into the forest not to be seen again.
Natsu: "Ignia, leave my friends alone. Cause I'm coming for you!"