Well I wasn't going to post this till the weekend, I'm trying to get ahead on writing chapters just in case I get busy and cant write for a while, that way you aren't left waiting for the next chapter. Also things are certainly starting to get interesting in this story, several more things are explained in this one. i'm trying not to confuse my readers but this is a complicated world our heroes live in.
As always thank you for the love and support, I love hearing what you readers think!
Dragon Souls – Chapter Seven – Chosen By Force
Lucy was flabbergasted to find herself standing in a vast cave, jagged rock looming above and around her, carved from an ancient underground lake; water was still dripping in from somewhere nearby, the constant drip drip drop was causing a tick of irritation in her temple.
The cave walls glistened in the eerie purple glow that was coming from somewhere below her, stalactites hung from the ceiling like deadly daggers ready to fall at a moments notice.
Even more impressive than the cave, were the circle of dragons gazing down at her, each of varying size and features. Black, green, blue, gold and red; all eight were shaded differently. Some with wings, some without, some large horns, some small; but all terrifying to her.
For these were no Shifters...these were real life Dragons. Wild, untamed and deadly.
In a stark contrast to her summons with the Council of Elders the week before, this was no impenetrable fortress set high on a mountain in the eye of a titanous storm. This was a secret and hidden place, hidden deep within the earth, a sanctuary of sorts for these magnificent living Gods.
It was obvious hardly a human or Shifter had ever set foot in this sacred place.
Instead of ornate chairs, there were rocky podiums for each Dragon to sit on, their tails or wings wrapped around the base for some stability. The only light in this cavern was the beautiful purple glow of what looked like a bioluminescent crystal floor that wound around the base of each podium, including the central one that Lucy herself stood on.
Easily the largest, the midnight black Dragon had a yellow underbelly, yellow whispers sprouting from trapezoid nostrils; a white mane and beard trailing down it's back, deadly and twisted horns made of a worn but solid metal. It gazed down at her with eyes that held a spark of all the wisdom in the universe.
"Lady Lucy Heartfilia, who we hath sent for, you stand now before the eight Dragon Gods. We have called for you to complete a task for us."
Lucy blinked at the black Dragon, who seemed not to be speaking directly at her, but in her mind, like the Shifters were able to do.
"H-Huh?" Lucy stammered meekly, unsure how to respond.
"My name is Voltres, Dragon of thunder. To my left it Terra, Dragon of earth, to her left is Verglas, Dragon of ice. On his left is Ignia, Dragon of fire. To my right is Nova, Dragon of stars; to her right is Hydris, Dragon of water and to his right is Tempest, Dragon of air. Finally is Morta, the Dragon of death."
"Er...hi?" Lucy chuckled nervously, sixteen eyes staring at her in intrigue as she swallowed audibly. "Wait...you brought me to the Dragon Lands? Why?"
"You were not brought here by us, but by someone else. You, who has always dreamed of adventure, are here to guide a wayward soul away from the darkness that lays within him. You must complete training under the guidance of the Dragon, Nova and her human charge Anna Heartfilia. You are going to be forcefully entered into the Phoenix Tournament to complete for the Prince of the Fire Lands."
"WHAT?! I have no desire to enter any tournament and I certainly do not have any desire to marry Natsu!" Lucy shrieked, causing several of the Dragon Gods to ruffle their scales.
"Sadly...these events have already been set in motion, there is a traitor within the Council of Elders, we have brought you before us to warn you."
"T-There is...who?" Lucy asked shakily, her mind going back to last week, trying to work out who it might be. Apart from her coward of a father, she couldn't pinpoint anyone.
"We do not know who it is, we rarely interfere with the humans of our Realm...but this is important. You must see this through, if the enemy is allowed to succeed in their plan our world will suffer. You were brought here for a purpose."
"Y-Yes...but I didn't think it was to shack up with a stubborn, confrontational hot-head with commitment issues!" Lucy felt her heart almost giving out in her chest, it wasn't as though she was a nervous and spluttering virgin, but the idea that she was only here to become Natsu's Empress...she didn't like it. She was confused...these Dragon's weren't making any sense!
"You say she is Jude's offspring? Surely my lineage would not produce such a puny and malnourished youngling." Nova, the golden Dragon spoke haughtily.
Voltres, the black and yellow Dragon began to pulse with electricity, the static making the fine hairs on Lucy's arms stand on end; a warning to the golden Dragon for her harsh words.
"Careful with your tone, Nova...the Heartfilia Clan, were they not the humans to nurse you back to health; allowing you to rebuild the Heavens an eon ago when the Dragon War ended? You dare speak so lowly of this girl, when you are indebted to her family..."
"You mean the Heartfilia family who, but Dragon Lord Jude, passed down his throne to a measly Priest who has done naught but squander the Celestial Realm's riches on wine and women? I refuse to nurture an arrogant old man who neither cares for his Kingdom nor accepts any responsibility for his actions!" Nova spoke vehemently.
"Yeah...my dad is an asshole, I speak from experience." Lucy deadpanned.
"You may be a Heartfilia...but you are of Human upbringing." Nova hissed, her eyes flashing.
"Her upbringing is of no importance, she was conceived in this world." Voltres retorted.
Nova simply huffed, light of a prismatic colour began to shift along her golden scales, as she loomed over a confused Lucy.
"Very well, runt. Anna shall tutor you in my magic, but when you fail I shall banish you from the very Heavens themselves."
Lucy glared at Nova, not impressed at being called a runt.
"Compared to learning from a snobbish lizard with no manners I would be honoured to study under Aunt Anna's tutelage."
Silence met her words for a few moments, before Ignia; the red Dragon with a flaming mane, huffed in amusement.
"She is of strong mouth as well as mind and a cast iron will. She will make a fine Empress for my descendant, Natsu." Ignia rumbled, flames jettisoning from his nostrils, making Lucy feel warm. This was the fire Dragon who had taught magic and Dragon-Shifting to the Dragneel Clan, she had seen his image displayed in the castle at Ignis.
"You are the Dragon who taught Clan Dragneel?" Lucy smiled, giving him a polite nod of the head.
"I am Ignia, yes. Igneel's ancestors saved me from a pack of humans who had spent three days hunting me down for my hide and horns. I was exhausted and close to dying, I am indebted to his family."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I am saddened by what happened to your lands, but they are slowly recovering...they are certainly an...interesting...family!"
"Thank you for saying that so eloquently...Igneel and Natsu are certainly odd characters." Ignia mused.
"Do you meet with them often?" Lucy asked, intrigued to know more about the family.
"Their kingdom throws me entirely over-elaborate festivals twice a year, to which I visit and give my blessing to their hard work, while I do appreciate it...I think it is more an excuse for the kingdom to get drunk."
Lucy giggled and wiped a tear from her eye, she then turned back to Voltres, who was still glaring at Nova; who seemed to be sulking from Lucy's biting words.
"So...is this place a dream or a vision of some sort?"
"You are an astute girl, yes...this is a meeting on the border of our minds, a halfway point where we may communicate. You see Lucy, we Dragon cannot talk normally, we are wild creatures with basic instincts; only through thoughts or vision may we project our will. When Human's were banished beyond the veil into Edolas, those Clans who were loyal to us were rewarded with the gift of magic. Some learned to tame the spirit of a Dragon Soul, the ether of a Dragon who had been separated from his physical body; and offered them a new vessel. Dragon-Shifter and his or her Dragon live in a symbiotic existence, the Shifter allows their Soul freedom to be a Dragon once again, in return the Soul gives them the gift of flight, accelerated healing and to become stronger and faster."
"But...how and why did the Dragon Lords and the Phoenix Tournament com about? Why do only women compete and not men? Why aren't the Princes' not allowed to choose their own Queen?" Lucy asked, her feet getting tired of standing; so she sat down on the podium with her legs crossed. She wanted answers.
"That was something the Clan's came up with. In our world was it was mainly male dominated, women were seen as commodities; things of beauty to be worshiped and respected by the most barbarian of men. With more modern views, things are beginning to change for the better. There are many more female Dragon-Shifters than this world realises, some have simply not realised their potential, some are afraid of being persecuted." Terra, the earth Dragon spoke softly.
"R-Really! That's amazing...I thought it was just the two." Lucy grinned.
"It is often just a few who will change views for the better, my dear. We Dragon God's see the Tournaments as archaic and cruel, we wish for their dissolution. As for royalty not being able to choose who they wish to marry, this is another old rule, purely to keep the bloodline noble...the eight Clans who became Shifters decided that there should be no one single ruler of the Dragon Lands, boundaries and the like were worked out between the leaders, instead of one single King there would be Lords; the oldest members of each Clan would be a member of the Council of Elders. Over the last few centuries a few of the Clans have split or merged...there are currently twelve separate Clan's in the Dragon Lands."
"And those are?"
"Too many to name, several are nomadic tribes who move around trading wares, food and weapons in exchange for passage and a place to rest their Clan. The largest ones are the Fire Lands, ruled by Clan Dragneel, the Frost Realm of Clan Fullbuster, the Thunder Plains of Clan Dreyar, the Forest Glades of Clan Saber and the Celestial Province of Clan Junelle."
"Wow...that's a lot to remember...so is there peace between the Clans?" Lucy laughed nervously.
"For the most part yes, there is some trouble brewing in the Frost Realm that we are keeping a watch on. Dragon Lord Silver is attempting to unite the Lake Tribe and his own by the commencement of another Tournament, a union between his son and a daughter of the Lakes. The problem is that Silver insists on his son ruling both kingdoms, which is against the rules of the Council, Makarov wishes to ban the Tournament, which sadly most of his peers refuse to do." Voltres explained.
"Sounds like a lot of unnecessary drama." Lucy raised an eyebrow at Voltres who nodded his regal snout at her, the blonde fully supported the head of the Council in his ideals.
"Getting back to more pressing matters, Lucy. You will be forced to enter the Phoenix Tournament and while we know this is against your views, you must win...for the sake of this world." Voltres urged pleadingly.
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked, startled by the sudden sombre mood of the Dragon Gods. "I don't have a choice?"
"I am cursed with the ability to gaze through the stars and see glimpses of the future. I have seen that a great peril is coming. Someone, I have not seen who, is to betray the Council and slaughter them. This person seeks to release the Dragon Souls from their human bonds and turn them against their hosts. You must prevent Natsu from becoming seduced by his demons, there is darkness in his heart; the horror he saw as a child haunts him and fights to consume him." Voltres revealed, Lucy felt her sorrow for Natsu rise in her gut, she knew he suffered from nightmares of his past; but she had no idea it was consuming him.
"How will I achieve that by becoming his Empress?"
"You will teach him the purity of love, laughter and happiness again; before the darkness possesses his Dragon Soul and turns him into a mindless demon...the enemy will use him and others to destroy this world."
"Sure...how difficult can that be?" Lucy asked hysterically, her face turning white at the thought of what was to come. "I guess kidnapping him and going on the run won't work?"
"No, your union was set in stone eons ago, my dear. We shall be here to guide you, trust in your impeccable instincts. You can show him that to be free, he does not have to give up his freedom."
Lucy awoke that morning with a gasp, bolting upright in bed; her hands clammy with perspiration on her face. That was perhaps one of the most fantastical dreams she had ever had in her life!
She wasn't even sure it was really a dream...
Words that only the Dragon God's would know, the history of the Clans, what was to come; Lucy was damn well sure she hadn't just dreamt them up.
They had seemed personable enough, except for maybe Nova; but the ultimatum that this world would essentially end if she didn't get Natsu to fall in love with her by forcibly entering a stupid and old Tournament...no pressure huh?
Who even said there was going to be one, anyway? Whoever was forcing the Tournament had a small problem that there were no other women wanting to become his Empress, even if Lucy became Chosen; she couldn't very well compete against herself!
Flopping back onto her pillow with a shaky sigh, Lucy let her brown eyes drift over to the window; the flaming sky was red and yellow as always...perhaps early morning? She tended not to pay attention to the fire in the sky, it was easier to figure out the time of day from the tolls of the castle bell tower.
In the week since her summons before the Council, Lucy had spent much of her time between religiously studying all of the literature she could get her hands on regarding Celestial Magic. The basics were creating light, and learning to channel it through her body; starlight was apparently a fickle mistress to control.
A medium to channel her magic through, would make it easier.
Anna had brought a whole trunk of weapons with her, Lucy's aunt had arrived on the back of a stout and rather creepy looking green Dragon called Ichiya with orange hair, a shade darker than Loke's. The Dragon had apparently befriended Anna, while she had accidentally stumbled across his hideout one day. Lucy suspected the pervy Dragon had a thing for a pretty woman, given he had tried to sniff Lucy inappropriately when Anna had introduced them.
After handling swords, daggers, halberd and staff's aloft; some she could barely lift from the ground due to their weight, Anna had presented her with a whip.
The handle was made with a stiff and graspable leather, the whip itself made of woven strands of thin but unbreakable metal, the woven design was beautifully crafted, and, according to her Aunt; the perfect medium to channel her magic through.
Learning how to wield and use the weapon had been an altogether more challenging feat, so far Lucy had five painful welts on her body from striking herself; she had also broken two vases, beheaded a statue and nearly broken a window.
Her muscles ached in places she didn't even know she had them, sleep was wrought with random titbits of information she had digested; so much so she was quickly becoming a Celestial Magic trivia buff.
Natsu had even sat in on her training once or twice, after complaining he had no one to pull pranks with; if she caught him rolling around the courtyard laughing riotously as she once again tangled the whip round her body and tripped over...
She was going to tie him up and dangle him upside down from the ballroom chandelier!
Of course the idiot would probably tell her he liked to be tied up and run off, leaving her red faced and with entirely inappropriate images in her head.
After trying to make sense of her odd experience of standing before the Dragon Gods, she decided to talk with Igneel; while he was a little unconventional for a ruler, he was wise and might have a solution. Lucy had dressed in her favourite black leggings and a simple long tunic with a V neckline, long sleeves and a woven brown belt; matching her knee high boots. She was prepared to run down and grab a quick breakfast, but her way was blocked as she opened her bedroom door.
Natsu was stood there with his arms crossed, a frown on his handsome face. Her eyes briefly flickered over his outfit for the day, a simple black sleeveless tunic tucked into black baggy pants and combat boots; he looked extremely good, but the curiosity at him being outside her door outweighed her desire to gawk at him.
"Why're you here?" Lucy asked in confusion.
"Well, good mornin' to you too! It's the Ball tonight, the castle is crowded, noisy and a mess of staff preparing decorations and food for tonight...wanna escape the castle with me? If I have to try on another stuffy embroidered jacket, I'm going to show up naked." Natsu moaned, his eyes giving Lucy the once over. "Shit...you got training today?"
Lucy shook her head and smiled. Natsu was going out of his way to spend time with her?
"I was just heading down to grab a snack and go study in the library." Lucy lied smoothly, if she said that she wanted to speak with his father; he would want to come.
"How exciting..." Natsu spoke sarcastically. "You've been working hard all week, Luce. Come ditch with me!"
Lucy rolled her eyes at his pleading look as he tugged on her wrists, she pulled away from him a few times until he pouted.
"Fine...but if it involves putting chilli powder in Gajeel's underwear drawer again, count me out..." Lucy sighed.
"Nah, I just wanna spend some time with ya, do I need a motive for that?"
"Yes..." Lucy deadpanned, she pushed passed him, turning to look back at him with a smirk.
Natsu's beaming grin made her heart flutter.
Just what had gotten into him?
"So this is Ignis." Lucy hummed excitedly, walking ahead of Natsu as they strolled through the market, she was taking in all of the wonderful foods, spices, clothing and wares; the second Prince was simply enjoying walking behind her, a smile on his face as he saw her enthusiasm for his home city.
He had been a little worried when she had suggested they walk through the city streets, without his bodyguards; but everyone was as friendly and welcoming as always. Plus, with her training well underway and her whip clasped to her belt; he had no doubt Lucy could look after herself now. His glare and her sassiness alone was more than enough to send away any would be trouble makers.
"This place is amazing, I can't believe I haven't explored before now!" Natsu watched Lucy as she stopped and turned to look at him, bouncing back and forth on the balls of her feet.
From her frown, he could tell something was on her mind.
"What's eating ya?" He murmured, hands in his pockets, Natsu walked towards her.
"I guess you aren't one for elaborate Balls for your birthday, huh?" The pinkette frowned, not believing that was what was troubling her. He played along.
"I don't mind the food and the music, heck if I'm in a good mood I don't even mind the dancing! I get to see my friends from other kingdoms, I wanna introduce you to Erza, Mira, Gray and Laxus. I hope Lisanna is back from the coast, I haven't seen her in ages!" Natsu smiled fondly.
"I've heard of Erza, Mira and Laxus, but who are Gray and Lisanna?" Lucy smiled, joining Natsu at his side as they slowly began to walk through the centre of the market.
"Gray is the Prince of the Frost Realm, he and I have a bit of a childhood rivalry going on...but he's a good guy. His Dad is an asshole, unfortunately my Dad invited him tonight. He's a troublemaker who hates Edolas...so promise me you will keep away from Lord Silver? I don't want him to insult you, Luce." Natsu turned to her and placed his warm hands on her shoulders, making Lucy give a breathy nod.
He searched her eyes for any sign that she wasn't listening to him, but the sincerity in her gaze made him smile and he pulled back from her, walking again.
"Lisanna is like a sister to me, Dad tried to set us up once but we both refused. She is Empress Mira's little sister. They have a brother Elfman but he and his Wife have just had a baby, so aren't able to travel with Clan Dreyar."
"Your Dad really lays it on you, huh? I know these tournaments are part of your heritage but I find them –" Lucy sighed, looking across at Natsu.
"I don't like the idea of women fighting to the death over a Prince. It's a stupid tradition, I don't want or need a woman to swim through a lake, find some shit and fight me to try and prove her love. I want to be able to make that decision on my own."
"There are much safer ways to prove your love to someone." Lucy smiled, glad she and Natsu were on the same page about the silly tradition.
"I...I wouldn't make a good husband...my Dragon Soul might be carefree, adventurous and playful. I spent my childhood under lock and key, watched constantly...I guess...I'm afraid I'll feel trapped with no way out if I get married."
Lucy understood...finally. Was that what was holding him back from getting too close to her? What was is the Dragon God's had said to her?
"You can show him that to be free, he does not have to give up his freedom."
"But what if you find a woman as carefree and adventurous as you are?" Lucy smiled, turning away from him and walking towards a nearby fruit stall, she picked out some delicious looking red apples and gave the woman a gold coin, telling her to keep the change. A grateful barrage of thank you's later and Lucy was clutching an entire basket of them. Natsu smiled at her as she immediately walked over to a trio of thin and malnourished children who were begging for food in a shop doorway.
"That's my problem, Luce. I already have." Natsu whispered softly.
There was a huge commotion as Natsu and Lucy returned to the castle that afternoon.
Having spent much of the morning browsing the shops, stalls and chatting with some citizens, the two of them had found a secluded hill to talk further and watch the sky. Time had seemed to run away from them as Lucy had dozed off against his shoulder, he had wrapped an arm around the sleeping blonde and simply enjoyed her soft warmth; Lucy found comfort in his spiced scent and had unwittingly fallen asleep.
As they had stepped through the doors, Natsu was marched off; highly protesting as the castle tailor grabbed his left ear and dragged him away to be fitted for his outfit of for the evening.
Lucy was accosted by a giggling Levy and Wendy, who were eager to make it a girly afternoon of preening and pampering; ready for tonight's Ball.
Guests from all over the Dragon Lands were due to begin arriving by the seventh toll of the bell tower; the event itself to begin at the eighth. The courtyard had been cleared for those arriving by Dragon, while a separate gate had been opened for those in carriages or on horseback.
There would be various Dragon Lords and their Clan's attending, only those with a close friendship to Clan Dragneel of course. Lucy caught a glimpse of different banners than the Dragneel one, displayed in the entry hall, a warm welcome for their esteemed visitors.
Lucy had been pulled into her room, the three had taken turns to bathe in the thermal pool, then sitting on the bed in their towels as they tittered excitedly about the ball. Happy had found a cosy spot at the end of the bed and was seemingly oblivious to the noise around him.
Levy had helped Lucy with a complicated fish-tail braid down the right side of her hair, securing the ends with a long piece of leather cord; it looked extremely nice on her and the blonde thanked the pregnant woman.
Lucy had chosen one of the two gowns she had previously been fitted for, a stunning red and black number. A sweetheart neckline that sat just off her slender shoulders, fitted elbow length sleeves that tapered out slightly at the end; the bodice ended in a V shape, the skirt was poufy and dramatic with black trim and leaf detailing over the entire gown. It made her look elegant, when she felt more like an imposter playing dress up.
The simple black wrap sandals she had paired with them were comfortable, just the right thing to be dancing in, should anyone ask her.
Wendy had joked she would be on the receiving end of plenty of offers so it was wise to choose sensible footwear; Levy then piped up she would be too occupied with Natsu, making the blonde blush bashfully.
Levy had styled her hair into a pretty style of curls and had on an empire waist light green dress with plenty of room for her bump. Wendy was in an blue A-line gown with a square neckline and cute ruffles around the skirt.
There was a knock on the door shortly before the Ball was due to start, a guard escorted them down the stairs and into the ballroom, Lucy marvelled at the sumptuous decorations; flowers picked fresh from the garden, banners everywhere, a large space for dancing had been left with tables set up around the edges.
There had to be a hundred or so people in the room, Igneel was entertaining a group of men who were dressed as finely as he was, embroidered jackets with exotic furs, the finest silks and hides, these were the men that ruled the kingdoms of the Dragon Lands.
Natsu was on the other side of the hall and seemed to be having a stare down with a handsome black haired male, dressed in blue furs; she guessed this was Gray Fullbuster, Prince of the Frost Realm.
Fire and Ice...of course they would clash!
Lucy was dragged over to meet a group of women by Levy, as they got closer the bluenette called out to a beautiful and terrifying red-head who was speaking to an equally beautiful woman with white hair.
"Erza, Mira! Long time no see!" Levy laughed, both of the women turning to her with a smile.
Lucy found herself shrinking in fright when she realised who these women were...
Erza Scarlet, leader of the Knights of Valour...the exclusive army tasked with protecting the Council of Elders; an elite force of warriors with the highest and most deadly form of training in the entire Realm.
Mira Dreyar, Empress to Dragon Lord Laxus, ruler of the Thunder Plains and highly deadly in her own right.
The only female Dragon-Shifters in existence...were these the women to help bring about a change in the perception of female Shifters?
She hoped so.
Lucy would have been terrified of them, but as Levy introduced her, the two women smiled kindly at her, welcomed her to the Dragon Lands and asked how she was enjoying her stay. They treated the Edolas human as one of their own, sympathised with her when Lucy told them about her meeting with her father and the Council; Mira giggling and saying that Makarov was the kindest old man she had ever met. The conversation then turned to teasing as Levy noticed a certain pink haired second Prince heading their way.
"You have been getting close to Natsu, Lucy." Levy whispered excitedly.
"He might be a bonehead but he's passionate and loyal." Mira tittered.
"Not you guys too! He's gorgeous but he's stubborn and –" Lucy began, completely unaware that Natsu was grinning at her cheekily...right behind her.
"And what else?" the teasing tone of his voice made Lucy shriek and turn to face him, her cheeks red. The embarrassed blonde was about to reply when she got a good look at what he was wearing, she had only caught a glimpse from across the way.
A long sleeved, red and gold jacket, trimmed with gold embroidery that looked like flames, the front of the jacket had matching gold closures; baggy black pants with a line of gold down each side tucked into brown boots. His hair was neat and slicked back, she was surprised to see that he had an undercut, perhaps more noticeable without his normally messy spikes to cover it.
"Wow...you scrub up nicely!" Lucy blurted before she had a chance to think, causing her to cover her mouth and giggle nervously, shame taking over her as she heard the girls giggling behind her.
Natsu gave her a heated look and used his right hand to wrap around her waist, pulling her towards him.
"You scrub up pretty well too, Luigi." He chuckled, amber eyes roving unashamedly down her body, causing her to shiver slightly. "You know how to dance, right?"
"W-What? No!" Lucy gasped in alarm, trying to pull away from him, but unsuccessful in her attempts as he lead her towards the dancing couples. "Natsu I-I can't!"
"Me either, let's just make it up as we go along!"
Lucy couldn't help but laugh nervously as she was spun around in a circle, a slow and melodious tune was playing from the band on stage and for a moment, Natsu faltered.
She was looking at him oddly, trust in her eyes as he gazed down at her; the scene around them disappearing as they focus solely on one another.
Natsu pulled Lucy into him, her ample chest against his as his right arm snaked around her waist, his left hand smoothing down her right arm to grasp at her hand. Lucy felt a shiver travel through her body, setting her insides on fire as they swayed slowly to and fro to the beat of the drums; her left arm rose to smooth her hand into the hair at the nape of his neck. Her fingertips played with the soft strands of pink, making his breath hitch; his fingertips teased across the low back of her gown. As he twirled her, a soft giggle left her lips as she clung on to him with dear life; she trusted him not to let go of her, but with the way her legs felt like jelly, Lucy was about to melt into a puddle.
"N-Natsu." Lucy whispered, their breath mingling for a moment.
Just as quickly as the spell had been cast over the two of them, it disappeared as the band stopped and a familiar voice boomed out over the hall.
"My friends! Thank you all for being here to celebrate by dear Natsu's twenty sixth birthday!" Igneel boomed good naturedly as he took to the stage, a cheer went up as Natsu pulled quickly away from Lucy and gave his dad a smile. "I have been asked to invite Councilman Makarov to the stage, I am told he has some important news to share with us."
Natsu turned to frown at Lucy, who shrugged her shoulders.
The tiny head of the Council had seemingly appeared from nowhere, Lucy couldn't recall seeing him earlier on in the evening.
"Thank you for that warm welcome, my old friend." Makarov smiled, his lips then seemed to be one of contempt as he steeled himself to announce his next words. "I have just received word from the Council of Elders..."
The room descended into a hushed whisper, guests wondering what was going on, Makarov held his hands up to silence everyone.
"I-It shocks me to say this, and I can't for the life of me understand why my fellow Members have voted for this...having been outvoted nine to three...I am obliged to announce the commencement of a new Phoenix Tournament."
Lucy suddenly felt her entire world shift from under her feet as Makarov shifted his eyes to the second Prince, the head of the Council looked truly sorry for what he was saying, as he met Natsu's eyes.
"Prince Natsu Dragneel is to chose an Empress." Makarov spoke tensely, gasps of shock and protest rang out around the room; most of those protests coming from the second Prince himself. "I have tried to contest it, but with such overwhelming odds in favour; I am sorry m'boy...I wish it were not this way."
Lucy had never seen such utter rage and refusal on Natsu's handsome face, his fists were clenched so tightly that his hands were turning white; flames of rage and heat danced in his eyes as he turned his eyes on to his father.
"What the hell? Did you do this?!" Natsu bellowed, making Lucy flinch and step away from him, her eyes wide.
She didn't think the enemy would vote to force the Tournament on him, it wasn't right...how on earth was this supposed to teach him happiness and love when it was literally being ordered of him to submit and accept an Empress? Of course he would react this way...it was in his nature.
"I had nothing to do with this, son. I know you have no desire to settle down...but if the rest of the Council o-order it –" Igneel walked towards his angry son and tried to placate him.
"WHAT? I"M JUST SUPPOSED TO SIT AND WATCH AS WOMEN FIGHT IN SOME STUPID GAME TO TRY AND WIN MY AFFECTION?"
Lucy found a tear running down her cheek as Natsu turned to look at her, his dragon alerting him to her distress and calming him instantly.
"I-I refuse...I'll run if I damn well have to!" Natsu seethed, making Lucy gasp in surprise as he grabbed her hand and he ran with her from the ballroom; the blonde tripping over her dress as she had no idea where they were going.
Calls for them to stop rang out as Natsu led her into the castle courtyard, Lucy was out of breath as she felt her hand being let go; blistering heat and fire entered her vision as the pinkette suddenly Shifted into his Dragon-Form. Lucy looked up at the dragon as he reached out with his claws and wrapped around her waist.
"Natsu! W-What are you doing?" Lucy shrieked, panic entering her body as his wings unfolded.
With a startled scream, Natsu took off into the air at break-neck speed; causing Lucy's vision to go black as they ascended into the sky.
She gained consciousness again some time later, when she felt them descending from the clouds.
Lucy gasped as a familiar volcano came into view, her loose hair whipping about her face as her ears popped from the drop in air pressure. She was being cradled against his chest, his left claw holding her body tightly to his scaled underbelly as they touched down on the rocky ledge where they had first met.
Natsu immediately let her go, she wobbled on her feet for a moment before she felt the heat of him Shifting back into his human form. Lucy blushed when she saw him naked momentarily, before his normal black and white attire appeared back on his muscled body.
"I'm sorry, Luce...I should have warned ya...but I couldn't stay there." Natsu walked off into the cave, Lucy following behind him silently, her chest aching at the hurt and confusion on his face as he used his magic to start a fire. She picked up the skirt of her dress to try and stop it catching on the rocks and dust beneath her feet.
"Yeah, a warning would have been nice." Lucy huffed.
"S-Sorry...I just...panicked!" Natsu paced around the fire, still in shock.
"I-It's okay...you just surprised me is all...I'm not used to being kidnapped by the Dragon and taken to his secret hideout." Lucy smiled, she was trying to think of ways out of this, ways to try and placate him.
She might have had a clue if she had actually gotten to talk to Igneel.
"You haven't seen it all, c'mere." Natsu whispered, holding out his hand to her.
Lucy tilted her head in confusion as she was lead deeper into the cave, with a wave of his hand, removing some sort of mystical barrier; Lucy gasped.
Sat before her was a vast hoard of treasure, from jewellery to coins, furniture to fabrics; even a few dozen sacks of grains, seeds and rice were sitting piled up in one corner of this cave. Torches lit the walls, the reflection off the wares; where on earth he had gotten it all from, Lucy had no idea. She looked around at it all, before turning to Natsu with a smile.
"Did you buy these or acquire them by unscrupulous means?" Lucy asked, an eyebrow raised.
"I earned it all if that's what you mean...its my way of helping the Fire Lands out."
Shock hit her like a sucker punch...Natsu collected all this, to help restore his kingdom? He was selling his treasures to –
"You are selling your hoard to help restore your lands?" Lucy murmured, her eyes resting on Natsu, who walked towards a nearby chair and motioned for her to sit.
"I don't always just go off exploring, I take jobs like monster hunting, escorting nobles; heck I even helped a little old lady cook once." Natsu chuckled fondly, memories coming back to him as he walked around his sizable hoard. "I don't like just playing the part of the pampered Prince...I wanted to be out there doing more."
"Is it bad, I have a very funny mental image of you covered in soot with your head in someone's fireplace?" Lucy sat in the chair, her fingertips digging into the plush fabric of the chair.
"Wasn't quite that bad. You seem pretty underwhelmed for a girl seeing a hoard of treasure." Natsu teased, crossing his arms across the back of the chair, leaning over her with a grin.
"I'm not the kind of girl who gets starry eyed over trinkets and treasure...I'm more impressed with it's purpose." Lucy turned in the chair to look at him, her face turning sombre as she saw the humour in his eyes turn to sorrow; Natsu let go of the chair and began pacing again.
"What do I do, Luce? I don't want a stupid Tournament!"
Lucy bit at her lip, her hands wringing together nervously; she looked at the floor and tried to stop the guilt eating at her. She didn't notice Natsu looking at her, recognising the same look in her eyes as she had been wearing earlier on in the day.
"There you go again." Natsu strode towards her, he kneeled before her and used his fingertips to lift her chin, startled when he saw liquid pooling behind her big brown eyes. "You know something, don't you?"
It was at that moment her intuition was screaming at her to tell him what was going on, maybe if he knew the tournament was because of an enemy scheming to destroy the Council, who was trying to turn the Dragon Souls against their Shifters...maybe they could formulate a plan together. Maybe they could do something?
"W-What if I told you the Dragon God's sent for me in my dreams to warn me what was coming...would you believe me?" Lucy sniffed, pleading with him to trust her; his eyes widened and his eyes searched hers for any deception.
"Absolutely." Natsu whispered, using his thumb to stroke away a stray tear that ran down her cheek at his words. "You've never given me a reason not to."
"You didn't believe me about seeing the city in the sky." Lucy murmured.
"Yeah...that was me just being stubborn." Natsu chuckled. "You come from the Celestial Realm, of course only you would see city of Corona at night...dunno why it disappeared though. Back to your dream, tell me what happened..."
Lucy was momentarily tempted to hit him for making her think she was going crazy her first night in Ignis, but she took a deep breath and started explaining that she had dreamt of standing in a vast cave with eight Dragon's around her, the thunder Dragon, Voltres had explained that they were the Dragon Gods and had sent for her to warn her of what has to happen. She explained that there was a traitor in the Council of Elders, that someone had brought her here, who was also plotting to wipe them out, Lucy told him that the Tournament was being forced on him to try and trigger the darkness within him to possess his Dragon Soul, their goal was to get every Dragon Soul to turn on their Shifter. The enemy would try and turn him into a demon to destroy the Dragon Lands. Lucy would be forced to become Chosen to try and stop Natsu from opening himself to the darkness that plagued his dreams; she had been told she had to win in order to do this, becoming his Empress.
"I-It isn't fair you are being forced to do this, you should be able to choose for yourself who you want to be with." Lucy sighed, tears threatening to spill over and down her cheeks. "What are we going to do?"
"No one is gonna turn me or my Soul into a damn demon..." Natsu growled.
Natsu had listened to her entire story without interruption, his dragon was roaring in anger at the news that they had an enemy trying to destroy the bond between Shifter and Soul; trying to destroy the Council. The news that Lucy would be forced to become his Chosen had hit him hard, it didn't matter to him that he wanted her on a subconscious level; but to force her into it was despicable. Something that didn't sit right with him...he had no idea if she even felt anything for him!
"Why you, why have you been forced to become Chosen?" Natsu asked, no trace of emotion in his voice. "How are you supposed to help me, exactly?"
"T-They said I will teach you love, happiness and laughter...apparently our union was decided upon an eon ago." Lucy chuckled nervously, fully prepared for Natsu to recoil in disgust at the very idea that the two of them were meant to be together. "I'm sorry I couldn't bring myself to tell you...you don't deserve this!"
"Neither do you, Luce."
What she didn't expect was Natsu to lift her chin again, an eyebrow raised at her in jest.
"Although...if we're supposed to be mates, that explains why my dragon likes you so much, Luce."
Lucy watched flabbergasted as Natsu stood up and pulled her to her feet, she squeaked in surprise as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her crown. She found herself wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him tightly, thoroughly confused.
"What...you just accept the news we are meant to be? I thought you hated the idea of settling down?" Lucy murmured against his neck.
"I'm not thrilled at it...but if it's you I settle down with I might be open to it." Natsu chuckled huskily. "You make me happy, smile, I can't get enough of teasing you; I look forward to seeing you everyday...I don't think it's quite love yet...but I'm not afraid of it."
Lucy found tears springing to her eyes again, she snickered when she pulled away from Natsu to find his cheeks pink and an adorable bashful smile on his face.
"Is that you or the dragon talking?"
"Both of us..."
"I-I'm not in love with you yet either...but you make me laugh, cry and sometimes I wanna punch you in the face." Lucy chuckled as his face went blank. "But I like you too."
Natsu grinned sneakily at her and leaned in to press a wet and sloppy kiss to her cheek, Lucy shuddered and made to wipe at her face; shooting him a glare.
"Did you just slobber on me?!" She shrieked, trying to wiggle out of his strong arms; to no avail.
"Nah...I'm not a dog." Natsu laughed riotously, letting go of the annoyed blond, who wiped at the wet spot on her left cheek with the back of her hand, the pinkette stood watching her with a cheeky grin. "I kissed ya."
"Could have fooled me! That was not a kiss..." Lucy grumbled, pouting adorably.
"Okay...second order of business, we need to speak with my dad; he should be able to help." Natsu turned to grasp hold of her hand, making Lucy smile secretively as she was lead out of the secret treasure hoard; watching in awe as he reactivated the barrier.
"Only my magic can unseal it...stops bandits and thieves helping themselves."
"You said the second...what's the first order of business?" Lucy asked, her head tilted in confusion; watching him as his cheeks turned pink and his heated eyes drifted to her parted lips.
Lucy gasped in surprise as he leaned in to her, their breath mingling just as it had done during their dance earlier in the evening. Except this time, there were no interruptions; no one to stop them as Natsu gently pressed his lips to hers. Liquid heat began to warm her from the inside out, her eyes fluttering closed as his left hand grasped her waist; right cupping her cheek. He could feel his inner dragon purring happily within him, telling Natsu he was an idiot to have resisted this; because this felt like coming home.
They fit one another perfectly, her delicate hands looping around the back of his neck, pulling him in further to deepen the kiss. The purring got louder and Lucy suddenly pulled away reluctantly.
"You purr?" she huffed softly, delighting in his hazy eyes and content features.
"Yeah...gotta problem with that?" Natsu glowered in mock challenge.
"Nope...you're like a cat."
"I'm not a cat, I'm a fearsome fire Dragon!"
"Sure you are." Lucy cooed, laughing at his grumpy expression as she patted his head gently.
Some interesting conversations and plans to come...see you soon!