A/N: I wanted to get this out there because I know it's been a while, but that being said, I'm not entirely happy with the beginning of this chapter… I couldn't find how I wanted to word it just right so I hope it came out well. If you could see how I write this on my computer first, there is a lot in different colors since that's how I tag things I may want to change later, lol. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the longer chapter! You've all earned it!
Alone in the field of green and flowers, Lucy swallowed dryly. Her eyes were naturally drawn back to the coliseum, memories trickling through her mind of the Grand Magic Games and the way her guild had fought to earn back their title as Fiore's strongest. It seemed like such a long time ago, a time that was both harrowing and exciting. A time that tested the strength of the bonds of her teammates like never before, a time when she and Natsu had grown closer on a deeper level than their friendship had been previously. If she was honest with herself, the evolution had been happening long before the Grand Magic Games, but it was those games that truly opened her eyes to the depth of her feelings, as well as a glimpse into his own. When she was in trouble, his voice had rung out stronger than any of the others. He was the one to help her up from her pitiful heap in the sands – his hand strong and firm and warm after she'd just endured so much. She'd meant every word of what she'd said to him before his final battle, and even though she was still chafed by the fact she couldn't watch his fight, it hadn't changed the fact that she had complete and undying faith in his abilities and his will to win.
But the games were only part of what had opened her eyes to the truth she'd been fighting for too long – that she was in love with Natsu. What happened after the games, the terrifying events of the Eclipse Gate, gave her some insight into how strongly he felt for her, just how much he cared for her; perhaps above any of their other teammates. Although at times she wished she could forget the memories, she was also glad for them.
Even though her mind was on the Grand Magic Games, she quickly realized this coliseum didn't seem right. It was Domas Flau, all right, but where was Crocus? What lay before her was a lone coliseum, erected atop rolling green hills seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Without realizing she was doing it, she was making her way closer, the long grass of the field tickling her legs as wildflowers reached for her hands, her fingertips brushing their tops on occasion. Realizing the sensation felt odd, she looked down to see her hands covered in gloves. "What the hell?" she breathed, looking at her covered hands in confusion before ripping the dirtied garments off.
Shock quickly rippled through her when she noticed blood dripping from her left forearm and she dropped the gloves, staring at the wounds to her skin with wide eyes. Small lacerations dotted her skin, but they also looked like tiny burns, as though something hot and sharp had hit her. How did I get this, she pondered, even as she automatically tore off a bit of her shirt to wrap around the wounds. It stung, and something flickered in the back of her mind. She was supposed to be with Natsu. They were on a mission, weren't they? The pain in her arm brought an image of Natsu taking a hit to the chest for her, flying back into her body and crashing them both to the ground; but all the memory brought was more confusion as she stared at her wounded forearm and wrist. Something important had been there…
As she thought of her partner, her brow furrowed in befuddlement. Where was he anyway? They were practically joined at the hip, rarely apart if it could be avoided; and if they were on a mission there was no way he'd abandon her. Her eyes returned to the coliseum before her, something telling her she needed to go there. Why, she couldn't say, but it was an undeniable urge all the same. There was no road to lead her there, only instinct and some unseen force guiding her. She chose not to fight it and made her way to the coliseum.
When Lucy reached the coliseum, it was clear the place was deserted without even stepping inside. There was no path, not even one of dirt, that led to the arena entrance, but she found the tunnel just the same, moving by memory and that same invisible pull from before. It wasn't the first time she was alone; but seeing the coliseum so barren as it towered before her made her feel small and insignificant, threatened like something dangerous and foreboding dwelled within its depths. She had never felt more alone in her life, the thought bringing tears to sting her eyes as she blinked them back. On instinct, her hand dropped to her hip, looking for her keys, but she didn't even have them. "What the hell is going on?!" she shouted, her hands clenching into irritated fists as she vented her frustration to the empty air. The sound of her voice echoing back to her from inside the coliseum walls made a chill creep down her spine. Regardless, as she looked at the black void before her, she was drawn forward and stepped into the darkness.
"Lucy!" Natsu cried as he raced down the twisting paths of the circus tents. He had scoured the place, surely covered all the ground the circus could possibly occupy and then some, but he couldn't find her. In fact, he hadn't so much as seen another person since Linkin led Lucy away and Lady Sinara released him. How is that even possible, he wondered as he turned another corner. His breath was coming fast and ragged as he ran, but he wasn't winded from the exertion, rather from the fear coursing through his veins. Part of him knew he was possibly already under their spell and their control, but part of him fought that idea – didn't want to admit it was even possible and that he might be running around in blind circles. "LUCY?!" he bellowed, skidding to a stop when he realized his surroundings had suddenly changed. "What the hell?" he whispered, looking around him in surprise.
Unbidden, he touched the burn Lady Sinara had given him when breaking his charm. Immediately the scent of Lucy's blood flooded his memory from when her charm was also surely broken, but he suddenly couldn't remember when or where that had happened, or why it was so important. He was surrounded by stone – stone walls, stone floor, and even a stone ceiling high above him. It reminded him of a castle from ages past. When he looked around, his eyes narrowed as he realized a more accurate description – a coliseum. Why am I here? He spun over his shoulder only to find the hallway completely deserted. Where's Lucy? Where is everyone, he wondered the moment he realized where he was. He was in the Domas Flau Coliseum.
The last time he was here… He gasped, his eyes widening as he spun back over his shoulder, looking for the hallway he simultaneously dreaded but needed to see. "Lucy?!" he called, the image of her dead and lifeless body flooding his mind with trepidation and causing his gut to clench with anxiety. He wanted to move, needed to move, but instead he stood there trembling. He remembered Future Lucy falling to the hand of Future Rogue with such clarity, it was like he was reliving the event before his eyes. His cry of agony when she fell rang through his ears so loudly he cringed as his heart felt the rent of her passing anew. The rage he felt immediately afterward, the murderous intent that had flooded his veins made him stagger, sucking in a ragged breath.
Groaning against the memory, Natsu closed his eyes and shook his head in an effort to clear his thoughts. He didn't know why, but he couldn't focus on that right now. Something more important awaited him and he pulled his lips back into a grimace that revealed his elongated canines. Was Lucy here? Was she waiting for him? Was she in trouble? There was no other explanation for why he'd feel such a strong pull to continue moving forward. The thought that someone might be hurting Lucy, taking advantage of Lucy, making Lucy scared made his blood boil. The air around him wavered and shimmered with the heat pouring off his body, even though he was conserving his flames for once he found the real enemy. On instinct, his nostrils flared as he sniffed the air, closing his eyes as he fought to increase the power of his sense of smell and sound. Nothing. "Damn it!" he yelled, his fists clenching so tightly they shook. "LUCY!"
Natsu's roar echoed through the coliseum, but Lucy couldn't hear it. Traveling through the dark tunnel that led to the arena, she held one hand to the stone wall at her side, oblivious to Natsu's frantic search, as she peered before her into the abyss. She could see nothing. She may as well have walked into a pit of emptiness the moment she stepped forward into the tunnel. Her sense of hearing seemed dulled – either that or the void simply sucked up all sound as well as light. The only thing she could see was the small patch of light before her, the color of sand drawing her onward as she cautiously felt her way forward. To her dismay, the left hand that she held in front of her shook, although she couldn't see it, just feel its persistent trembling. "Natsu?" she whispered, wishing more than ever that he was beside her, lending her his silent (or sometimes not so silent) support and strength.
As she crept forward with agonizing slowness, thoughts Lucy wished she could suppress invaded her mind. More than once, her fears made her glance over her shoulder, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end as though someone were following her or watching her. Every time she turned around, the same empty void greeted her, her own hand disappearing just inches in front of her face. Is any of this even real? Please, let me be dreaming! A whimper escaped her as her stomach cramped nervously. Fear had coiled itself in her gut like a poisonous snake, causing noxious bile to rise at the back of her throat that she had to force herself to swallow around. "Natsu?!" she cried, louder out of desperation, as tears stung her eyes.
Her voice echoed dully this time, but there was something off about the sound, and with a jolt, Lucy realized it was someone whispering back her plea. She froze, her mouth open in a silent scream, as her eyes widened, and her heart leapt into her throat, cutting off her air. A cold shiver worked its way down her spine, making her legs feel unsteady and weak, as her mind cried out, No! It was then that something brushed her hair aside at the back of her neck, barely brushing her skin as a disembodied whisper reached her ear. A strangled scream left her then, as a dam broke inside of her and she bolted, running blindly through the darkness toward the only source of light. Even as she ran, the sounds of her shoes slapping against the stone at her feet sounded strangely muffled and distorted; but the sound of a deep chuckling reached her ears without trouble and spurred her on even faster.
Suddenly, Lucy spilled onto the sand, the sunlight accosting her eyes with such force she squinted painfully as she tumbled forward. She rolled in the sand, lithely coming to her feet as though to prepare for battle, but when her hand fell to her hip, she was harshly reminded that not only was she missing her keys, but she was also missing her whip. She was unarmed against the unknown foe in the shadows. Her heart hammering against her ribs, she kept her eyes on the dark tunnel before her and cautiously stepped backwards, heading deeper into the arena in an attempt to put some distance between her and the unseen enemy.
Sand slipped inside Lucy's flats as she staggered backwards, and she angrily kicked them off, the sand misleadingly warm and soothing to her toes. Her entire body trembled as her eyes remained locked on the tunnel before her, but nothing came out. No mutilated and discolored arms of the undead, no swarm of insects, no giant spiders, no Ichiya, and no clowns peeked out from the darkness. Convinced it had all been her imagination, she let out a shuddering breath and closed her eyes, tilting her face up to the afternoon rays of sunshine bathing the arena in gentle warmth. "Thank Mavis," she breathed, and turned to further survey the arena sands. What she bumped into (in fact, she nearly tripped over it) made her shriek, an ear-splitting scream that shattered the stillness of the air.
It was her ear-piercing shriek that alerted Natsu to Lucy's presence, piercing his heart as much as his ears to the point that he flinched in pain. The wail reverberated through him, shocking him to his core as his heart froze in his chest, catching the breath in his throat. Gray might as well have frozen his innards, even as the rest of him jumped into action. "Lucy!" he bellowed in his panic. That sound coming from her could only mean one thing…
Silence answered his plea, but he didn't need her to answer. The sound of her voice gave him a direction and he ran for it, his hands immediately bursting into flame as his fear and concern mixed with the rage boiling within him. Whoever made Lucy scream like that was going to pay! "Lucy! I'm coming!"
The moment Lucy's eyes fell on the battered, bruised, and bloody body before her, she screamed, immediately recognizing the salmon-colored hair and signature scarf, which was now in tatters. Her heart shattering within her chest, she sank to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks as she reached for him with hands that shook. "N-Natsu?" she whispered, gasping once her hands made contact with his skin. While he wasn't cold, he was cooler than he should be; his body only faintly warm even though he was still smoldering, smoke slowly rising from his entire body like dwindling embers. "Natsu?!" she shrieked, dropping her ear to his chest to listen for his heartbeat. There was none.
Shock shot through her like one of Laxus' lightning bolts, her breath stilling in her chest at the resounding silence coming from Natsu. She couldn't believe it, didn't want to believe it. This can't be happening, this isn't real, she muttered to herself over and over, but when she managed to sit back and peer at the lifeless face before her, she knew it was.
Just what had taken out the legendary Salamander, Lucy couldn't tell; but somehow, she knew this was her fault. She didn't know how she knew, but the thought hit her with such force, it was an absolute certainty. He died because of her. She was responsible for Natsu's death! His body was a mix of gouges and slashes, some down to the bone, leaving him surrounded in a pool of blood that was still soaking into the sand. His face, which was so animated in life, was slack and grim, a deep gouge marring his left cheek from his hairline to his neck. The scarf that he so rarely parted with was loosely gripped in one hand, the majority of it blown away by some unseen force. Salmon-colored hair was darkened and matted in numerous places by the blood seeping from his clearly cracked skull. Her body moved on its own as she grasped his shoulders, shaking him violently. "Natsu!" she cried, fighting to move his heavy weight. "Natsu, wake up!"
Her pleas went unanswered as he sank back into the sand with her diminishing strength. She followed with him, her head resting on his chest despite the blood that was coating her from his injuries. She needed him. How could he be gone? He was her partner, her best friend, her everything! She loved him more than life itself, she'd just never had the courage to admit it to him. Without him, what was the point? Fairy Tail wouldn't be the same without the boisterous fire dragon slayer wreaking havoc wherever he went. The guild would be too quiet, her apartment would be too lonely, the world itself would be too dark a place without him. "Natsu," she whispered, his scarf suddenly in her hand as she buried her face in his chest. He still faintly smelled of smoke, causing her tears to flow anew as they mixed with the blood on his bared chest. "You can't die! I love you!"
The sound of footsteps pulled her from her despair, and she looked up with bleary eyes, blood-shot and swollen from her tears. She was beyond caring – the world could do with her what it wanted – she had no fight left in her. That was, until her eyes took in the floppy red shoes that were clearly too large and the loose brightly colored outfit before her. An outfit that happened to be splattered with blood that she immediately knew was Natsu's. Knowing full well what it was, she screamed in terror, the sound reverberating through the coliseum. As her eyes trailed up the being before her, she was already floundering back, all but crawling backwards on her hands and feet in attempt to increase the distance between herself and her next greatest fear. To her dismay, the wickedly smiling clown stepped closer, ghostly painted arms outstretched as they reached for her, still dripping with fresh blood. She tried to say something, tried to sound brave and threaten the clown to keep its distance, but nothing came out but frightened whimpers as her throat fought to function around her racing heart. Finally, she managed a strangled, "No!"
Red and blue curls tilted to the side as the clown cocked its head at her. Its face was painted as white as its hands, and its eyes were surrounded by black, red, and blue triangles. Where a red ball should have been on the end of its nose there was nothing but a gaping hole, the septum visible as though she was looking at the front of a skeleton. A wide red frown was painted around its lips, but its actual lips were twisted into an evil sneer, the opposing images making her think of a predator toying with its prey. When it truly smiled, its teeth were pointed and yellowed, smeared red with blood in some places; and when it licked its lips, its eyes flashed hungrily, spurring her into action as she finally turned and bolted.
Lucy tore through the sand in her desperate attempt to escape, her legs churning as she seemed to sink deeper and deeper into the sand with each step. Still, she fought, pulling herself forward with her hands when needed, and even running on her hands and knees when her footing gave out. There were no thoughts in her mind save for blind terror and thoughts of escape. The sound of the clown's heavy breathing trailed behind her, never more than a few feet away as the too-large shoes it wore slapped against the sand. She could feel tears stinging her eyes once more as a lump formed in the back of her throat, but she forced them at bay. She had to get out of there!
Her eyes darted from side to side as she looked for an exit only to find the tunnel she entered through was now gone. She was stuck, alone, with the clown on her heels. She reeled when she realized Natsu was gone as well. He would not be coming to save her – he couldn't do so ever again; and the horrid beast that had taken him from this world was now chasing her. "What did you do to him?!" she sobbed, her heart roaring in her ears. When the clown simply smiled evilly, rubbing its hands together with excitement as it bobbed its head, she lost it. "Why Natsu?!" she hollered, moving toward the clown as though to administer a Lucy Kick.
To her surprise, the clown answered, but she wished it hadn't. With a simple shrug, it shook its head, dramatically closing its eyes as a demonic chuckle rumbled from deep within its chest. Despair rocketed through her with such force she stumbled, her knees sinking into the sand as the tears fell once more, lighting hot paths down her cheeks as she clenched the sand between her fists angrily. It was then that she realized she still clutched Natsu's tattered scarf, and the pain from her loss stabbed through her heart once more with such force she'd rather Erza pierce her with each and every sword in her Heaven's Wheel. Unable to stop herself, she wailed, clutching the scarf to her chest as she struggled to regain her footing. Natsu wouldn't give up, he never would! She no sooner sucked in a ragged breath, drawing upon the air for courage, then a large rough hand grasped her ankle, and she was drug backwards through the sand.
"NOOOOO!" Lucy shrieked as she was pulled backwards with such force her arms gave out and she face-planted into the sand. She was drug several feet, the sand grating and rough against her exposed thighs and causing her shirt to ride up her abdomen, despite her attempts to kick the hand off with her other leg. The moment she was released, she immediately tried to scramble away, blindly kicking backwards but missing her target. The same hands then grabbed her hips, bony fingers digging painfully into her, as she was jerked back up onto her feet. Her feet were no sooner on the ground than her arms were pinned behind her back.
Hot, putrid breath brushed against her ear, eliciting a repulsed shudder that nearly made Lucy's knees give out. She struggled against its grasp, fighting to pull her hands free or shoulder her way loose, but the clown's grip only tightened, pulling her back against a body of corded muscle like steel. Without thinking, she screamed the only thing she could – the name of the man she had trusted with her life but could no longer save her. "Natsu!"
Natsu had found the arena just as Lucy and the clown were sizing each other up. With a quick sweep of his eyes, he took in Lucy's shaking form. She was shattered, barely holding herself together as tears streaked down her cheeks and she scarcely held back sobs. Her entire body shook as she clutched something in her hand that he couldn't see, and it was apparent she had been leaning on something, or at least what she thought was something, until the clown made its presence known. Although he couldn't see the look in her eyes, he could imagine perfectly what was there – her posture screamed it. She was giving up, but why?! "Lucy!" he called, immediately grabbing the side of the railing before him, intent on throwing himself to the sand and to Lucy's rescue. He was partway over when he was caught by the ankle and flung back to the ground with a grunt. While he didn't know what had him, it was oddly familiar – cold and thick, yet somehow slimy as it slid up his body. On instinct, he rolled, preparing to launch himself back to his feet, when he was met with the void gaze of blue that he at once recognized but couldn't place. Distrust and hatred welled within him with such force, he burst his body into flame with a snarl. Only no flames appeared.
The woman before him chuckled, flipping her hair over her shoulder, and with a flick of her wrist, Natsu was pulled to his feet. "Did you forget me so easily?" she purred, stepping forward as her restraint completely encased Natsu. She sauntered forward, her hips swaying seductively, but when Natsu's eyes remained flaming and fixed on her, she stopped, her saucy smile falling into a frown. "We can fix that," she muttered, touching his forehead with two fingers.
As soon as she touched him, Natsu's head was thrown back as though she'd struck him. His eyes squeezed shut as pain exploded within his skull as his memory came crashing back to him like a flash flood. Gritting his teeth to prevent himself from making a sound, Natsu's hands clenched into fists. He was on a job with Lucy, a job that was going to expose them to their worst fears. From what he'd seen in the arena, Lucy had just found hers, while he felt like he'd been facing his for the past several hours. "Lady," he ground out once he opened his eyes.
Smiling, Lady Sinara put a finger to his lips. "Shhh! We don't want to spoil the show!" she whispered, turning back to look at the sands of the arena and forcing Natsu to do the same. What he saw made his heart fall into his stomach. Lucy was being dragged back through the sand by the clown that had been chasing her, her cry of anguish at being captured rocking through his soul.
"Let her go!" he yelled, struggling uselessly against Lady Sinara's restraints.
Beside him, Lady Sinara cocked her head to the side. "That's so very gallant of you, but she can't hear you. It would ruin the whole illusion."
The Lady's words scarcely registered to his ears. Natsu could focus on nothing but the scene before him as the clown roguishly hauled Lucy to her feet, touching her as it pulled her back against its chest. Lucy fought, he could see her struggling, but she missed the leer the clown gave her as it looked down at her. "You fucking pig!" he roared, unable to stop himself. Lucy's following cry, even if it wasn't in response to his own, froze his blood and ripped his heart in two.
"Natsu!" she shrieked, hot tears clearly streaming down her cheeks – his senses were now working just fine, and he could smell them. The scent of fear pulsated from her in sickening waves, growing stronger with each passing moment and each new move the clown made. He could hear her heart pounding within her chest, racing with terror, but there was something more there – something he couldn't place as he'd never smelt it from her before. It was harsh and sour, sweet and yet pungent like decay. Her heart was broken, but he couldn't understand why. Despair and pain filled her voice along with her desperation, and the next words that left Natsu's mouth he meant with his entire being.
"I'll fucking kill you!"
While it was clear Lucy didn't hear him, the clown did, and it turned to face him. Long fingers caressed Lucy's cheek, her responding cringe and shudder making Natsu snarl ferally as he continued to fight his restraints. He called upon every ounce of his strength to bring his fire to life, sweat dropping down his brow as he struggled in vain.
Lady Sinara chuckled at his impotent rage, bringing both of them forward so that she could lean a hip against the side railing. Natsu couldn't pull his eyes from the horrid sight before him as the clown's fingers moved to Lucy's chin, clearly gripping her harshly if her responding cry was any indication, and moved her head to the side. His mouth fell open in shock as the clown opened its mouth and licked her cheek.
The touch of something wet and warm against her cheek made Lucy groan out of revulsion. Her knees buckled as she squeezed her eyes shut – they'd been shut ever since she'd been hauled to her feet. It was with horror that she realized what the clown was doing and why. It was licking the tears from her skin, drinking them down as though they were its life force, beginning at her chin until it flicked away just upon reaching her eyelashes.
From his position in the balcony, Natsu froze. No one was supposed to touch Lucy like that! No one! His heart raced as his rage built anew, but Lucy's quiet groan of disgust quieted him. He had to get through to her! He had to tell her to open her eyes, that none of it was real, that it was all okay. But how could he do that when he was witnessing it with his own eyes? That THING was touching her! Just the thought of it made him want to vomit and scream in frustrated rage. Thoughts he wouldn't normally have invaded him, images of blasting a flaming fist through the clown's face, blood splattering deliciously back onto him filled him with a sick satisfaction. It wasn't until the clown's mouth moved to Lucy's ear, whispering something that clearly upset her that Natsu regained some of his senses. While he couldn't hear the words, he saw the way Lucy's eyes widened as she shuddered, just before her knees buckled.
"Lucy!" he cried, feeling tears prick his eyes as she squeezed her eyes shut and finally managed to jerk her head away. "Lucy, look at me!"
"What are you doing?" Lady Sinara interrupted, taking a step closer to him. "I told you she can't hear you."
Natsu turned his fiery gaze upon the wizard at his side. "You don't know anything about Lucy. She's stronger than you think. She'll hear me!" Even as he said the words and he believed them with his whole heart, he couldn't help the trickle of doubt that wound its way into his mind. What's happening?!
"Do you have any idea what she's seeing right now?" the lady questioned, placing one hand on his confined arm. She was able to reach through her restraints as though they didn't exist.
The unusual question gave Natsu pause as he searched the pinkette's eyes before him with a furious calm that was so unlike him, so contradictory to the emotions raging within his chest. "What are you talking about?"
Turning back to the scene before them, Lady Sinara's hair slipped over her shoulder. She was smiling ruefully, her painted lips pulling up into a smile that made Natsu's heart feel leaden and cold. Lucy's strength was clearly failing, her knees trembling as she struggled to remain upright and her head lolling listlessly to the side. Her eyes were still wet with tears and it was with complete shock that Natsu realized she'd finally opened her eyes.
"Lucy!" he called, but her eyes remained fixed on some invisible point at her side, the normally sparkling depths dull as the clown moved its hand upward, sliding along the smooth skin of her abdomen and drawing blood with sharp nails as it went. "No! Lucy!"
Just as quickly as the clown's assault began, it ended, throwing Lucy forward and away from it like a discarded doll. Slanted eyes gazed upon her as she fell without resistance into the sand, scarcely catching herself on her hands and knees before she scrambled forward, clinging desperately to something Natsu couldn't see. As though she were garbage, disgusting and dirty, the clown brushed its hands off, pointedly looking up to the balcony and at Natsu before disappearing in a swirl of gray mist. Natsu could scarcely process it before he tried calling to his partner again. "Lucy! Come on! Get up!"
In the sand, Lucy pushed herself back onto her knees, her fingers dragging across something with reverence as she sniffled. Her chest heaved as she attempted to calm her wildly erratic heart, but the quick breaths quickly turned into unrestrained sobs as she wrapped her arms around her middle and bent forward, rocking back and forth slightly as she let loose a howling cry that made Natsu shiver.
As her cry ripped through the otherwise silent air, Lady Sinara chuckled, her breath cool against his hot neck. "Now see what her true fear is," she whispered in his ear, soft and seductive, just as he felt a gentle touch at his temple. A shiver wracked through him and he was suddenly released with a jolt.
His body came free like he was dropped, and Natsu immediately fell into a crouch, turning to the left to blast the evil wizard with a Fire Dragon's Roar. She wasn't there. Realizing this, he wasted no time in turning to bound over the railing but stopped cold at what he saw. The moment Natsu's eyes fell on an image of himself – tattered, bloody, and lifeless while Lucy wailed beside him, clutching the remains of his scarf to her chest – his heart crumpled. Her ululating cry as she attempted to soothe her shattered soul froze him in place, his eyes going wide and his mouth falling open as Lady Sinara's words suddenly reverberated through his mind. Lucy's true fear? "Luce?" he whispered, tears pricking his eyes as he took a cautious step forward, his hand clenching the railing so tightly his knuckles turned white.
It was too easy to see the scene in reverse, partially because he already had seen it. The only reason he'd been able to handle Future Lucy's passing as "well" as he did, was because even though she was Lucy, she wasn't his Lucy. His Lucy had been standing beside him, so even though something in the back of his mind told him it was Lucy, he had been able to draw strength from the fact that his Lucy was still there. He could fight to change the future, to protect Lucy's future, which was exactly what he'd done. Even so, he'd barely managed to keep it together. If something like that happened to his Lucy, there's no telling what kind of damage he'd unleash in his grief.
Even as the thoughts worked their way through his mind, the image below him changed. He was the one wailing on the ground while Lucy lay lifeless at his side. He was the one inconsolable with grief, giving up when he should fight. He was the one who couldn't bear the thought of life without Lucy…
Natsu came back to himself with a shock, goose bumps erupting across his arms. Stop it, Natsu! This isn't real! She's only seeing what they want her to see! You have to snap her out of it! Shaking his head to clear his turmoiled thoughts, Natsu grit his teeth and bounded over the railing, falling to the sand with a heavy thud. His feet no sooner touched the sand then he launched himself forward, intent on soothing his partner's shattered soul. He didn't get far before he was stopped in his tracks.
Lucy's cries had ceased as she looked up at the man standing before her. Standing tall and proud, his white hair pulled back into a ponytail that still left pieces framing his face, Linkin extended a hand down to her. "I'm here, Lucy," he whispered as Lucy hunched protectively over Natsu's supine form.
"No!" she cried, burying her face into Natu's lifeless chest.
"Lucy," Linkin persisted, taking another step closer. "Come with me."
Lucy shook her head, clenching the tattered remains of Natsu's shirt tightly in her fists. "No! I can't leave him!"
"Luce, I'm right here!" Natsu tried, to no avail.
"He is no more, there's no need to cry," Linkin continued on as though Natsu hadn't said anything. Although the way he cocked his head to the side and leered at Natsu from the corner of his eye said otherwise. "Now come," he commanded, his voice full of the stern control he'd used on his animals the night before.
This time there was no fight. Lucy slipped her hands from the fake Natsu's body and immediately placed her hand in Linkin's, allowing him to help her to her feet.
"Lucy!" Natsu shouted, resuming his trek forward as flames engulfed his body.
Seeing Natsu approach, Linkin didn't release her, and instead pulled her closer, enveloping her in his arms. She pressed her face to his chest, gripping his pristinely white shirt in her hands as her shoulders shook with renewed sobs. "He can't be gone!" she cried, her voice muffled by Linkin's chest.
Stroking her hair, Linkin pressed his cheek to the top of her head, turning his gaze directly upon Natsu. "I know it's hard," his voice was oddly soothing, gentle in how he attempted to calm her. "But it would appear Lisanna is more important to him."
Natsu froze at Linkin's words, his heart sinking into his stomach. How the hell does he know Lisanna?! He screamed inwardly, his mind full of confusion and strangely unable to look away from the scene unfolding before him. A minute ago, Lucy thought I was dead!
"M-Mira said that wasn't true," she murmured, but the words carried easily to Natsu's ears.
"That's a lie, Lucy! You know it isn't true!" he shouted, but she was deaf to his cries.
"Of course she would. She's covering for her sister," Linkin answered easily, the hand that wasn't stroking her hair now rubbing soothing circles at the small of her back.
"I-I should have told him," she sighed, turning her head to the other side so that Natsu could no longer see her face. His mouth fell open at her words.
Told me what?
"You know if you would have done that, it only would have pushed him further away."
What the fuck?!
"Besides, I'm here for you Lucy. I'll always be here for you." He took his hand from the back of her head and cupped her chin, forcing her to lift her gaze to his face. The brokenhearted look in her eyes spurred Natsu into action once more, but not so much as the tick in Lucy's hand.
Is she fighting him?! "He's lying, Lucy!" he shouted once more, darting forward with intent to separate the two. "He's controlling your mind!"
Linkin easily dodged him, turning so that Lucy faced his flaming fist, immediately dowsing his flames. "I can help you forget about him," Linkin whispered, lowering his face so close to Lucy's, Natsu saw red.
Her eyes locked with the orange eyes before her, Lucy swallowed. Her head ticked as her eyes closed. "Yes," she breathed, and Linkin lowered his head to hers.
"Over my dead body!" Natsu roared, gripping Lucy roughly by the shoulder and pulling her back, while shoving Linkin away. "Don't you ever touch her!"
Smirking, Linkin easily bent low to keep his balance, one hand dragging along the sand between his feet. "Well, well, well. It would seem Estobar was right about you after all." He stood up casually, as though nothing had happened, and dusted his hands off.
Natsu held Lucy protectively to his side, bristling as though he were protecting his most prized possession, because he was. Something in him snapped at the sight of Linkin about to kiss Lucy, and the only thing he could think was, Mine! She's MINE! While the thought startled him with its ferocity, the idea and desire no longer surprised him.
Beside him, Lucy blinked rapidly and shook her head, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist as her mind cleared. "Natsu?" she whispered.
Natsu turned his gaze to her, his emerald eyes flaring brightly with his scarcely restrained flames. The fear, anger, and violence churning within their depths made her gasp as heat rose to her cheeks. "Are you okay?" he whispered, his voice deep and raspy from the force of his chest squeezing his heart.
"What happened?" she asked, pressing a hand to her temple from the throbbing pain. She gasped as her eyes fell to the sand, looking for the lifeless corpse she so clearly remembered. "I thought you were dead!" she shrieked, her eyes wide.
The tremble that made its way down Lucy's spine caused Natsu to pull her closer, burying his face in the luxurious mess that was her hair. The odd scent of despair no longer emanated from her, and even the fear was receding now that she was in his arms. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself the moment to inhale deeply, reinvigorating his mind and clearing his senses with her wonderful scent. "I'd never do that to you," he murmured. The painful ache in his chest dulled now that he held her, and not for the first time he realized how lost he'd be without her. She responded in kind, burying her face in the hollow of his throat as her arms moved from his waist to his neck, pulling him closer.
Lucy sighed against him, the tension leaving her as Natsu's warmth surrounded her. He's alive, he's here, he's whole, she chanted over and over in her mind, combatting the image of his lifeless body that was burned into her brain. A sound came from him then, a mix between a purr and a growl as he squeezed her tighter, his cheek pressing into her head as she returned the squeeze in kind.
"You know he was lying, right?" Natsu's deep voice muttered at her ear, his breath lighting a fire where it caressed her neck and making her shiver for a completely different reason. Heat shot from Lucy's neck straight to her core, and she blushed, suddenly grateful Natsu was holding her so tightly he couldn't see her face. Before she could answer, he continued, a wave of heat rolling off of him like a soft caress. "You're the most important thing to me, Luce. Don't you ever forget that."
His words were spoken so firmly, so confidently, that Lucy couldn't find it in herself to disbelieve. She wanted to believe him, because she felt entirely the same way. The way he professed it made her heart soar as tears welled in her eyes for a completely different reason. "Natsu," she breathed, pulling back from him just far enough to gaze into his fierce eyes. The fire still lurked beneath the emerald depths, but it only amplified the deep green, making her feel as though she were lost in a forest, the flickering flames her only guide toward something that she knew better than anything, but was also completely new. Natsu returned her gaze completely and openly, lowering his head so that his forehead rested against hers as he drunk in the delicious sight of her chocolate orbs once more dancing with light instead of dark with pain. This time, when an image of his nose buried in her neck, her body pressed tightly against his as she ran her fingers through his hair rose in his mind, he realized it was his own – not the work of Linkin or Estobar. The thought was anything but friendly, causing an additional wave of heat to roll off of him as he adjusted his grip, pulling her closer, but he welcomed it because it was something he craved.
"I hate to break up the touching moment," Linkin interrupted, snapping his fingers.
Estobar and Lady Sinara appeared beside him, wide smiles on their faces. "Well, well, well! Looks like we couldn't keep you separated for long, could we?" Estobar teased. He had changed during their ordeal – now wearing a clean white shirt and a long red overcoat. His hair had been redone, slicked back cleanly in his high ponytail. He was pristine in appearance and manner, his shoulders held back and tall, his chin slightly elevated as he looked down his nose at them. Regardless, the glint in his eye struck a chord in Natsu and he reluctantly released Lucy, pushing her behind him protectively. "Are you ready for the real fun to begin?" he teased, his lips pulling up into an evil smile that made Lucy shiver at Natsu's back.
His precious jewel now behind him, Natsu's lips twisted into a mocking smirk as he lowered himself into a crouch. Lucy's hand at his back gave him even more motivation to destroy the man standing before him. "Oh yeah! I'm fired up now!"
Once again, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has followed, favorited, and reviewed this story! I'm having such a blast writing it, and your kind words really help spur me on! Crazy 004, I'll have to try that song! I honestly I pounded 95% of this out in a day due to a sudden burst of inspiration. Unfortunately I didn't get it out right at that moment due to my unhappiness with the beginning... Please let me know what you thought of the mayhem and Nalu moments! I had to put them in there! Hehehe... Is it bad that when I was writing this I realized it was getting closer to the end and I got REALLY sad?!
As always, I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the characters. They all belong to Hiro Mashima.
P.S. I don't hate on Lisanna. I like her, just not with Natsu, lol. But, with their history, she was a convenient piece to use as one of Lucy's fears, not as a way to make it seem like she's bad. Just had to put that out there because I don't want any Lisanna bashing or anyone to think that I'm bashing her by using her here...