Chapter Thirty-Two

Their Darkness

I wrote Acnologia's part with 'Paper-Thin' by Astrid S (acoustic) and I would definitely recommend listening to it!

Something was chasing me.

Something dark, fast and angry. And I felt like I was moving, continually looking back into the black abyss to try and catch a glimpse. But every time I did, it roared and the sound sent fear tumbling through me, catching in my throat.

My legs ached as I continued to run, the ground pressing into my bare feet, making pain sting up my feet and calves. It felt like I was in a forest, but I couldn't see anything. It was like my eyes were closed, or my body invisible, but I could feel the cool air and the harsh unyielding twig-covered ground.

The creature slithered closer, quieter now, as if readying itself for a final blow, and I felt my power build up. Fear had made me so blind that I had forgot I wasn't defenceless, that I could protect myself from whatever was creating fear in my bones.

I spun on my feet, ready to let loose my Shriek when it stopped, bashing against my mouth, my skull. Cold eyes glinted triumphantly and I fell on my knees, watching as the serpentine creature grew bigger, taller, towering over me.

Why didn't my scream work?

I brought my fingers up to my mouth, blindly feeling before horror slammed into me, my fingers shaking against the thread that had stitched my mouth shut. Terror seized me, leaving me shaking, panting heavily through my nose, trying to part my lips so I could break the stitches, watching as the creature hunkered, arching up for an attack.

Then my sight left me completely, taking away a very brief image of slimy scales, encased by darkness. It was the only thing I could see and I felt the power spear towards me.

My mind let out a rabid, terrified scream, a trapped thing that pounded around my head as cold, large fangs dug into my shoulder.

"Lucy! Lucy, wake-up!"

I screamed, thrashing out, the room vibrating with my terror, my power pouring out of me, as two warm hands pinned my wrists to the bed.

I had to get away, I had to escape, I needed help.

But how could I call for help when my mouth had bee- Revulsion climbed up in me, trying to ignore the vivid feeling of blood, thread and split skin.

"Lucy, open your eyes, please!" Natsu's voice swam through my mind, making my eyes snap open, looking up at Natsu, who hovered over me, eyes wide, distressed and in pain. Consciousness crawled along my skins like a billion angry ants, and I glanced around, noticing that the walls had multiple fresh cracks along the wall, a few paintings and the small pile of gold that sit in the corner of his room had toppled over.

Then I looked back at Natsu, moisture flooding my eyes as his panting, wincing face registered in my mind.

"Hey, no…" Natsu murmured, "I'm fine." When he spoke, I noticed the very thin cut along his cheek, and it was the last straw. I started crying, big heaving sobs, unable to handle the way my dreams affected reality, and how I had hurt Natsu.

"Lucy…" Natsu let go of my wrists, grabbing my waist instead, falling onto his back, taking me with him. I buried my head against his chest, pained noises accompanying the flood of emotions that left my eyes. My whole body shook, a mix of fear, frustration and exhaustion making my mind ache, my power settling back down inside of me, realizing that we weren't in trouble right now.

The nightmare had felt so real…

Natsu wrapped his arms around me, holding our bodies together, soothing me with soft growls and gentle whispers. I took all of his comfort, wishing we still had the companionship, but not taking his love, warmth and presence for granted.

A soft knock made me tense, and Natsu tightened his warm strong arms around my back, keeping my head against his chest so I could breathe in his natural spice and smoke smell.

"Natsu? Are you and Lucy okay?"

Igneel's voice was concerned and I knew he was genuine. I had explained what I could to Natsu and Igneel about what had happened before I got to the Moltens, including Acnologia's role. Unfortunately, nobody could vouch for Acnologia's identity, and that meant they'd have to do the tests on him to make sure he was truly Acnologia, even if the few photo's they had matched him perfectly.

It didn't even occur to me that he might not be Acnologia, I had believed him from the get-go and I still did.

"Yeah Dad, just a bad dream. Anybody hurt?"

I shuddered, hoping that my lack of control hadn't hurt anyone, feeling horrible that I had put them in this situation in the first place. It made Natsu squeeze me, running his hand through my hair, and I imagined what I would feel from him if we were still connected.

Sadness? Disgust?

I shook away the dark thoughts, realising that it felt like a long time since I had to deal with overly dark emotions. But this had nothing to do with my nymph heritage, this had everything to do with coming back to life with only my power.

"No, everyone is fine." I sighed, a little thankful the statement, as Igneel continued, "But you do have a visitor that wishes to see Lucy. Is she… Will she be able to?"

I didn't want to see anyone, well, maybe Ultear and Erza would be the exception…

"Who is it?"

Natsu repeated my question and Igneel cleared his throat. "Supposedly, Acnologia."

I lifted my head, wiping at my eyes, giving the door a considering look. I turned back to Natsu, and he lifted a hand, using his thumbs to brush away the tears I had missed, the cut on his cheek having completely healed.

"He might be in a talkative mood," I whispered, still shaking, traumatised from my nightmare. I wondered how Leora dealt with so much darkness, so much terror.

"I'll let him in. Just for ten minutes. You've practically had no sleep." I bit my lip, resisting from saying what we were both thinking. It was because every time I tried to sleep, it didn't take long to be swarmed with the same nightmare, repeatedly. I had to wonder what it meant; why was I imagining a serpentine creature out of all the things I could be having my dreams about.

It didn't make any sense. I wasn't overly afraid of snakes and the like, so why would it play such a focal role in my night terrors?

I climbed off Natsu, placing my back against the top of the bed, wiping at my eyes, feeling gross and sticky at the warm sweat on my arms and along my forehead. It had been a cold sweat, but Natsu's body temperature had quickly changed that. I watched Natsu, taking in the sight of him topless, the view of his back perfectly lean and tight, a few odd scars along the shoulders, the peeking curl of his tattoo going around the back of his neck.

He wore only a pair of cotton pants, and when he opened the door, Acnologia did not look pleased at his state of dress. He didn't remark on it though, simply thanked Igneel – albeit reluctantly - before walking in, his eyes finding me immediately. They softened slightly, and I was torn between feeling guilty – because I hadn't told him I figured out we were related – and feeling touched – because I hadn't seen that sort of fatherly look for what felt like years now – as he approached the bed.

"Is it the same nightmare?"

I nodded, as Natsu spoke with Igneel at the door, both turned away to give us our privacy as Acnologia sighed, walking around the side of the bed, sitting down hesitantly. His nose twitched, a scowl appearing on his features before he patted the area beside him. I slid over, frowning, confused.

He cleared his throat reluctantly before trying for a soft voice, but honestly, it sounded more like a disgruntled growl.

"Tell me about it."

I faltered before licking my lips, speaking hesitantly. "I think I'm running…running from something. I can't see very well, or at all. The only thing I can see is a brief image of what's chasing me…" I stated, glancing at him to make sure he was listening, to which he nodded, prompting me to continue. "Then I realize I'm not hopeless. I could Scream and protect myself… But when I try, I can't."

I closed my eyes, fighting back my whimper. "Then I realise my lips are stitched shut and… I can't use my Scream to defend myself. I see this… big snake thing, then everything goes black. The only thing I feel is the pain from these long fangs sinking into my shoulder." My world goes hazy, sleep trying to lull me back into its frightening clutches and I shake my head, trying to fight against it.

"And then you wake up?"

I nodded. "It takes a few times though. Natsu had to pin me down to the bed to keep me still this last time."

He glanced over to the door, eyes narrowing at Natsu in an odd way that I tried to figure out, before turning back to me. "Since you aren't coherent enough to focus your Scream properly, you don't need to worry about killing anyone. The worst that can happen is a little bit of pain and," he gestured to the walls, "That."

"I hurt Natsu."

Acnologia nodded, "You did, but he'll be fine. It wasn't concentrated, and you weren't conscious. If you had been targeting him specifically, it would have been a different story."

"You can withstand a targeted Scream, so I guess it's possible that Natsu could as well, right?" I blurted, before flinching when his eyes narrowed slightly, looking at me closely as he asked.

"How do you know I can withstand a targeted Scream?"

My mouth dried up, making me lick my lips before I realised, he had a right to know what I knew. Especially since it was part of the reason I had learnt a little more about his relationship with Leora. It wasn't fair that I was going to keep secrets about a memory that involved him.

I sighed, rubbed my cheeks, exhaustion still twinging at my brain, making my eyelids flutter. But I pushed past it, standing up before walking over to Natsu's dresser, pulling the drawers open. Natsu appeared by my side a second later, "What are you doing, Luce? You shouldn't be up."

"I have to take Acnologia to Ultear, it'll only take a minute."

His eyebrows furrowed as I searched through his clothes for some sort of pants.

"Can't it wait till after you've slept?"

I shook my head, pulling out a pair of stiff leather pants. I closed the drawer, pulling them on as Natsu sighed, "Lucy…"

His tone was very clearly the start of an argument and I couldn't concentrate on thinking properly, let alone arguing – and winning – against him. I turned to Natsu, ignoring Acnologia and Igneel's eyes on us, placing my hands on his cheeks, bringing his head a little lower to smile at him softly.

"As soon as I've shown Acnologia what I want to show him, I'll go to bed. I promise."

Natsu sighed again, bending over to brush his lips against mine. "You promise?"

I nodded, touching our lips together again, appreciating the tingles it evoked all over my body, as he murmured softly, his voice low, "Swear on our unborn child?" I stifled my grin at his words, rolling my eyes at how 'clever' he seemed to think he was. His answering grin was mischievous and proud, as if he knew I would catch the word.

"Mhmmm," I giggled when he licked my bottom lip, pulling back and giving him a little shove. "Down boy. Do you have any shoes I can borrow?"

"It's my castle, you can go barefoot."

I crinkled my nose. "You're a barbarian."

"The sooner you stop molesting her, the sooner she can go back to sleep." Acnologia's odd clipped tone met my ears and I turned to him, gasping when Natsu's arms wrapped tight around my midsection, pulling me into him.

A low growl made me shudder against him, as Natsu replied, "You can't molest the willing, assh-" A flush simmered up on my face and I lifted my hand before he could finish the crude word, covering his mouth. Acnologia stood up slowly, glaring at Natsu who, if I knew Natsu, was probably returning that glare.

I cleared my throat, twice, before Acnologia's eyes moved to mine, though the look lessened into a more judgemental stare. I had the strangest feeling he was asking 'this guy, seriously' but I dubiously ignored it, patting Natsu's right arm in an effort to get him to let me go. He squeezed me once, possessively and Acnologia's look flattened into that scowling glare before Natsu released me.

Despite not wanting to go barefoot and run the risk of bumping into the numerous royal members in the castle, I wanted to get back to sleep as soon as possible so I gestured for Acnologia to follow me, barefoot, in an attempt to track down Ultear.

Igneel and Natsu followed me, unsurprisingly, and I could feel their weighty concerned stares burning into my back.

Nobody made conversation, and I felt a little… strange, leading three dragons – one of them I was related to – through a castle that was not my own. But when in doubt, persevere. I turned the corner into another corridor, hoping to track down some sort of help when a man, dressed in Northern styles, and a glistening silver cross around his neck left a room.

"Gray!" I shouted, a smile bubbling up on my face as he turned to me slowly, his eyes widening before his own answering, friendly grin spread across his handsome one. He jogged over to me, grinning down with a light I had never seen in his eyes, and I took a moment to realise how beautiful and honest his smile was.

I didn't think I'd ever seen it before, it was nothing like his usual shy grins or amused smirks.

I threw my arms around his shoulders, giving him a tight squeeze, rolling my eyes at the grumpy growl that sounded from behind me. Gray hugged me back gently, so gently, that I wondered if it was to appease Natsu or if he didn't want to hurt me.

"I heard you had come here for my funeral," I breathed out, still clinging onto him, before reluctantly letting go. "I have to admit, I'm impressed by the turnout."

He laughed a little. "Well, I'm glad I never had the honour to attend."

"Where have you been? Why weren't you one of the royals I assaulted in my daring bid to rescue Natsu from himself?"

Behind me, I could hear Acnologia scoff. "You needed rescuing from yourself? That's touching."

I was saved from hearing Natsu's reply when Gray shook his head. "My mother nominated Ur, Ultear's mother, to go in our place. She thought that the… stress of an illusion might be too much to handle."

"Ah, but I was illusion-tested. I'm 100%, A-Grade, Lucy Heartfilia."

"I somehow knew it was you even without seeing you," Gray admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "Seems just like you to defy death and come back prettier."

I squealed, my excitement at seeing a friend bubbling over the tiredness in my bones. "Gray! You charmer!"

Gray grinned, undeterred by my joy and noise, as Natsu grumbled from behind me, "She's always been beautiful."

"Yes, but the minute you saw me, you said I looked 'wrecked'. That's not what I needed to hear, Natsu. Treat your woman better," I playfully replied, not looking back as Gray laughed a little more, whether at my words or Natsu's answering rumble, as he muttered something under his breath, and his hand touched my back.

"Ultear, Lucy, remember?" The reminder of why I was out of bed, and not resting swam back to me and my smile dimmed, as if seven years of sleep and exhaustion sunk into my skin. Gray straightened immediately, his smile also fading – which I was sorry for – replaced with a concerned frown.

"Should you be out of bed?"

"Probably not, but I'm taking Acnologia to see Ultear real quick. Do you know where she is?"

"I heard she's watching the backgammon game with Erza and ex-King Makarov, in the study," Gray informed me, and I smiled, relieved even though I wasn't sure how far away the study was. And if they had multiple studies, since my castle had three.

Natsu ushered me on. "Either join the train, Gray, or flicker off. The sooner this is over with, the sooner I get to drag her back to bed."

I grinned a little, yawning. "You just want me for my body. Unromantic."

"And clearly she's delirious with lack of sleep, because she's saying these things out loud, in front of her future father-in-law and her… Acnologia."

I glanced back, beaming tiredly over my shoulder, letting Natsu prompt me and continuing to walk. "Igneel loves me, and Acnologia is going to either love or hate me after this."

Igneel chuckled, nodding, encouraging my madness, "I wouldn't have imagined my son would catch your interest, Lucy. You are one of a kind."

I yawned again, stumbling, my legs weakening. "I know."

"Can I carry you?" Natsu asked, and I noticed how Gray had 'joined the train' and was now walking on the other side of Natsu.

"No," I denied, smiling sweetly when he growled grumpily, not happy with my response.

Luckily, no stairs were climbed in our quest to get to the study Gray had named, and Natsu didn't even knock before barging in, interrupting what looked like a riveting game of backgammon. King Laxus was seated behind ex-King Makarov, reading, and Ultear was watching the game with a vague interest, though her eyes lit up when she saw me.

Natsu steered me to a seat, and nudged me down. "Sit." I obeyed, but only because my legs were sore and walking was not helping my extreme fatigue. I didn't think I had long before I started suffering from those dreaded mini-naps. Which, in reality, did not sound as cute and fuzzy as the name implied.

Erza paused the game, glancing over to me with a frown as I leaned into the plush chair, sighing happily when Natsu took my hand, raising it to his mouth, his own frown on his features.

Serial worriers, the lot of them.

"You are not supposed to be up yet."

Erza's accusatory tone made me grin weakly. "I'm fine." I pushed my back up, trying to look composed for the sake of company that I didn't have the honour of truly getting to know, before gesturing to Acnologia.

"I need Ultear's help with something."

Ultear trotted forward, and King Laxus closed his book, appearing interested in our conversation. I briefly wondered if it was considered rude, but seeing as I had barged in on his private time, and that I was too tired to think any more than I absolutely had to, I pushed past it.

"What's up?"

"I need you to go through Natsu's memory and locate one for me. And show it to Acnologia."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "What would be in Natsu's memory that would be of use to him?" She flicked her head to Acnologia who raised his eyebrow, clearly puzzled and I sighed, not wanting to answer too many questions.

Natsu remained silent and I suspected it was because he knew what memory I was talking about.

"It's really hard to explain. I'd let you do it to me, but my head's really messed up right now and I don't think I could concentrate," I explained, and she smiled, a simple, agreeing smile that made me love her. I could always depend on Ultear to follow my schemes and ideas, without many questions.

I liked that sort of trust.

"You don't mind, do you?" I asked Natsu, checking as he sat down in the chair Erza had vacated.

"If it gets you to bed quicker, no," he replied calmly, before his eyes snapped to Acnologia then back to mine. "But are you sure you want to show him?"

I smiled, a little sad and nervous, nodding. "He has a right to see what we've seen." Then I glanced to King Laxus, skimming my eyes over ex-King Makarov. "This isn't really a royal secret, I don't believe, but if you could use your own sensitivity in this matter, I would appreciate it."

King Laxus nodded. "You have my word that whatever… memory, Dame Milkovich shows, will remain private."

I turned to Acnologia as Igneel shut the doors. He could obviously read the mood well, coming to stand behind my chair and resting a warm hand on my shoulder. I noticed how Natsu's eyes flickered to the movement before a small, barely-there smile, made its way onto his lips.

"This is going to be confusing, but I recently have inherited Leora Heartfilia's diaries. And Natsu and I found something when reading one. Ultear is going to show you that now." On a second thought, just to be sure, I glanced at Gray.

"It feels stupid to ask, but you'll keep this private as well?"

Gray rolled his eyes a little and I grinned, knowing that it had been, in fact, stupid to ask but feeling better that I did. Ultear rolled up her lace sleeves, spreading her fingers before stating, "This won't hurt a bit Natsu. Just think of the memory and I'll take it from there."

"Thinking hurts enough for me," Natsu replied, which made me giggle a little breathlessly, placing my hand on my ribs as a twinge of pain vibrated through me, my eyes blinking a few times before it vanished.

Ultear placed her hands on either side of Natsu's head, before muttering a few words. It was quiet, eerily so, for a few long seconds before a gradual mist rose from the floor and the memory started playing. Natsu's eyes remained closed, his face relaxed and I watched Acnologia as he watched himself.

The minute he saw Leora, his eyes widened and he became very still, his face going completely blank.

"You don't get to tell me what to do, dragon."

"What… are you… going to do? Go kill… all? They will… do… it again. More… More d-death."

"Banshee's are full of emotions, you bastard! I couldn't stop it if I tried, every part of me wants to rip their spines out of their backs, to break every sad, sorry muscle that keeps them on their feet! To obliterate their souls and let them waste away on the ground, to be stomped on!"

"You could have killed me. And you didn't. That's how I know you'll do the right thing. Don't… Don't forget who the enemies are."

"It is none of your business."

"Everything you do is my business."

His eyes closed, turning away, as if the pained, upset smile on Leora's face was too much for him to look at.

"Not anymore it isn't, King Acnologia. You've made it very clear how you feel."

Ultear glanced over to me when the memory began to fade and I nodded, silently asking her to stop. She dropped her hands and Natsu opened his eyes, also looking at Acnologia now.

His back was taught, tense and he asked, "Is that the only memory in the journal?"

I bit my lip. "As far as I know, yes. I never got to finish the third, but it's apparently activated by some sort of blood-memory magic."

Acnologia took a deep breath in, seemingly calming himself and I wondered if I had done the wrong thing. Was it too painful to see someone you loved, in a memory, long after their death? Was he trying his hardest to forget about her? Did I mess up by assuming he'd want to see it?

He turned around, ignoring the multiple eyes on him and strode over to me. I stared back, my eyes wide, my heart racing in my chest. He crouched down before grinding out through his teeth, "Hey. Prince. Get over here."

Natsu stood and moved over, his face carefully blank and I assumed it was because of the very tense atmosphere. Acnologia placed his hand on mine when Natsu reached us, growling out, "I'm only doing this because I don't want Lucy to faint from exhaustion and because she's… because she deserves it." I felt warmth fill me for a second, guessing that was as good to a 'thank-you' as I was going to get, but puzzled by his words.

"What?" I asked, confused, and Acnologia shook his head at my question, his eyes staring at Natsu who crouched down, frowning at the hand on top of mine.

"You can heal her pain, right? That's what the Fire Kingdom dragons specialise in?"

Natsu nodded. "I can do it through my lips, but it's only wounds and scars-"

"It's not. When I ruled, royal fire dragons were adept in healing spiritual sicknesses, alike to the sort that wind dragons specialise in." At Natsu's puzzled, confused frown, Acnologia sighed. "It's not hard to understand. It's a lost art, yes, but I was taught by the previous lord of fire-dragons before I left and gave my title to him. You're royal, so you should be able to master it, if you focus."

"Master… healing spiritual pain?"

My head snapped down to my hand, as a bit of that darkness, that poisonous black seeped out of me, making me gasp, as the shadow passed from skin into his.

"There's nothing more spiritual than dying and coming back to life. Whether you want to think about it or not, Lucy left this existing plane, and got as close as anyone can get to the one that holds the dead. And when you get that close, you bring back darkness. You bring back that otherworldly essence that keeps our worlds separate. It's up to her body and her magic to push it out, hence the nightmares. They expel the energy because it's not natural that a living being should have it," Acnologia explained, and it was like my fatigue lessened, like I could think clearly again, without all this weight I had no idea was truly there.

He withdrew his hand slowly. "You can't take away the darkness, or the nightmares. They stay until her power cleanses itself. But you can soothe it, make her forget some of it. If you heal it, she'll still experience the terror, but sometimes, she'll forget. Give her a little bit of your essence, just like you would when you heal her physically, but focus it on her mind, on her soul."

Acnologia flicked his head to my hand. "Try it now. You just have to focus."

Natsu placed his warm hand against mine, and only then did I see him. His eyes, they were… haunted. I ripped my hand out from under his, holding it to my chest, and Acnologia frowned, looking between us.

Green, dark, lush eyes stared back at me, sad, pained and...

I closed my eyes, trying to hide my pain, whispering, "We'll practice it later. I think I need to sleep."

I bolted upright, blinking rapidly, trying to calm my racing heart before rubbing at my forehead, amazed that what Acnologia had said was true. He did make me forget my nightmare, although I wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a curse. I could still feel terror sloshing around inside me, grabbing me with their clammy, relentless hands.

I took a deep breath in, finding myself a little more refreshed before falling onto my back once more, turning my head to face Natsu, who had gone to sleep silently, holding me tight in his hands. I knew from the look on his face, he had remembered what had happened whilst he was without humanity, when the demon inside of him, took over.

A gasp ripped up my throat at the entirely black eyes that peered back at me from his head, noticing the splatters of darkness on his cheeks, and ears. I opened my mouth to shout, but a clawed hand slipped over my mouth, his body suddenly hovering over mine. Fear clogged up my throat, my eyes wide as he smiled down at me.

"Careful little Banshee. If you Scream, you might bring the whole castle down."

His words, the long, cold, darkly amused drawl, told me that either I was having another night terror or I was in bed, with a Natsu that had no humanity.

"I'm going to take my hand away now," he cautioned, still smiling. "And we are going to talk, like civilised, homicidal creatures, okay?" I waited for a second, trying to calm my heart before nodding slowly. He lifted his hand, very carefully before his body disappeared. I scrambled to my knees, watching as he locked the door from the inside, trapping me in here, with him.

"How…" I licked my lips. "How are you back?"

He leaned against the door, watching me, then tilted his head. "I fell asleep without the proper guards up, and my mood was less than happy. It was really quite easy to crawl back out."

I remembered Natsu briefly telling me that he didn't sleep for hours after his demon won control, after multiple close-calls, and had to ask, "Why didn't you come sooner?"

He shrugged, crossing his arms over his bare chest, the darkness splatters adding a definition and dimension to his chest that I hadn't noticed before. "I figured I'd bide my time. Play it a little smarter, after all, it only takes a concerned father to figure out I'm back and throw me in a cell again." One of his fangs bit into his bottom lip, as he added in an amused, sardonic voice, "Probably without a Banshee play-mate."

"Okay," I breathed. "So, now you're out… I'm sorry, I figured you'd be running for the hills by now." I blanched, realising how I sounded, running my hand through my hair. He eyed me, that same, small, blank smile on his face.

"Not that I want you too! But, it's just, I was under the impression that all you really want to do is burn, destroy and kill things."

"Whilst they are definitely some of my favourite hobbies," drawled Natsu as he licked his lips, his black eyes glinting despite the natural shadows in the room, leaning forward to peer at me closely, "there are more important things that I find interesting at this present point in time."

My heart hiccupped in my chest. "Well that's...alarming. I'm guessing you find me more interesting than pillaging a nearby town?"

His smirk was devastatingly beautiful, and crude, somehow. It made red flush over my cheeks, and made my blood boil up in my veins. He took a step towards the bed and I shuffled back, wondering if I hid under the blankets, he'd find me pathetic and boring.

"Would you rather I go and find some children to chomp on?"

"You'd really kill children?"

He paused, his eyebrows furrowing, as if a thought had occurred to him. I watched, closely, wondering how I was going to bring Natsu back until he admitted, "Probably not, surprisingly. Children just seems…"

"Wrong?"

"I was going to say cruel," he frowned, clearly puzzled by this progression of his thoughts, before asking, "I don't know. Should I go find a child and figure this moral dilemma out?"

"No!" I blurted, flushing more when he raised his eyebrow, as I moved back a little further, placing my back against my headboard. "You should stay right here. We can have a nice, friendly, non-violent chat."

He chuckled, "You trying to keep an eye on me, Banshee?"

"I really prefer Lucy," I muttered, before nodding. "Yes. I do want to keep an eye on you."

"So you'd invite me into your bed, to have this… chat?"

His words sounded dirty, somehow, and I bit my lip, nodding, patting the space in front of me. "Sure. I mean, why wouldn't I?"

"I could rip your heart out."

"Yes, but I don't think you will," I replied slowly, before shrugging a little jerkily. "Besides, if you do, I'll just resurrect myself again."

"A foolproof plan, to say the least," he replied smoothly, before climbing onto the bed, reminding me of a big, prowling panther, sliding onto the mattress with enough grace that it made my knees weak. I didn't want to address the feeling inside me at this point in time, feeling like it was something I'd have to work out with a cup of tea and a mirror.

But this side of Natsu…it called to a very dark, very forbidden place inside of me.

"So, what shall we chat about?" I tried for chirpy, noticing how his eyes glinted again, staring at me, clearly entertained by my words, and actions. When he didn't offer any sort of subject, or even words, I cleared my throat weakly, mind struggling to figure out how to bring his humanity back without making him savagely angry.

"How about another game of I-Spy?" I suggested before my world was tossed on its back. Clawed hands grasped my ankles, dragging my legs out, then he was hovering over me, black eyes soul-searchingly deep, an amused, dark smirk on his lips. My heart rabbeted in my chest, thudding so loudly I could hear it echo in my ears.

"That's a no, to I-Spy then?" I breathed out, trying not to let his proximity and energy get to me, as darkness swirled around us, reacting to his power. He was still that odd mix of burning cold, and it made my skin prickle, sensitive and greedy for more touch.

I struggled a little, but he pinned my hands to the side of the bed, leaning down, eyes carefully watching me, interested. "You are covered in darkness."

I blinked, confused, before whispering, "What do you mean?"

"When… the dragon, the old dragon, spoke about the darkness following you, sticking to you, I had no idea how much he meant." His eyes roamed my face, then my arms, before finding my eyes again. We stared at each other for a long moment before I felt it. A warm brush of silky fur, something I hadn't felt in years, shudder through my insides.

It was like the flip of a switch, and I could feel the tattoos raise on my skin, the golden swirls glowing, my eyesight intensifying. He wore a smug, confident smirk and I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, as the realization hit me.

"It was you," I stated. "Natsu had asked me what it felt like when he connected with my lioness in Jellal's cabin. And I could feel fur, but somehow silk as well…" I closed my eyes tightly, breathing out. "I just assumed it was because my lion was rolling around inside of me but…"

"I did it," he murmured, "The dragon may have connected with the lion through their intense animal abilities, but I peeked inside also. The control wavered, and I wanted to know what caused such a slight slip-up."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Natsu keeps this side of him locked away very, very tightly, Lucy." My name sounded strange on his lips, foreign and he sighed a little, displeased at something, before continuing in that smooth voice, "So when something makes the cage he's locked me in shake, I take notice. What surprised me was not a what, but a whom."

"You've done it more than once," I accused softly, blinking my eyes open, and he nodded, suddenly very serious, as if he was thinking about something else entirely.

"Whenever you are around, Natsu gets… comfortable. To remind him, and you by connection, that I was there, I sent that feeling through you."

"The heat thing, in my… stomach," I pressed my lips together. "Was that you too?"

"No, Malo, whilst I am a blood-thirsty bastard, I do not cause all the reactions within you. That particular feeling, was entirely dragon."

"Sometimes I hear Natsu's voice, and it sounds…" My voice faltered slightly, as I summarised, "It sounds like you. You've been around a lot more than Natsu knows."

He remained quiet, watching me work through it, as I whispered, "You could have broken out. I know Natsu, he would have fought, but if you were truly desperate, it was possible."

"I felt no need to break out previously," he murmured, eyebrows furrowing. "You needed to get to the Vapids. What was the point of interfering with that when it was important?"

I couldn't believe my ears. It sounded like, this side, of Natsu, the one that he himself, and everyone around him, labelled the 'monster' actually… cared. Or thought. Even perceived some situations to be more important than others. Could creatures with no feelings really do all that?

"I have answered your questions, Malo. Now it is time for you to repay the courtesy."

He said that word again, Malo, and I bit my lip, trying to ignore the overwhelming urge to ask what it meant. With a deep, shaky breath in, I asked, "What do you want?"

"I want to do what Acnologia informed me to do when I had my humanity. I want to take the darkness."

I frowned, confused. "I thought you said demons don't heal."

"I do not see it as healing. I want to taste it. I like the pain."

I took a shaky breath in, watching his face for a few long seconds before nodding, turning my head to the side to let him take it away.

"What do I do once you've tasted the darkness? I don't want to call the guards, Natsu."

He was quiet for a few seconds, before stating simply, "Once I take it, I will go."

I closed my eyes, feeling a shard of hope pierce me, but I couldn't believe it was that easy. "Do not lie to me."

"Oh, Malo, when I truly lie, you will know." Two warm, rough lips touched my neck very softly, and I jolted, feeling him suck against the skin. Then slowly, through a line of shadows, he drained that heavy, building weight from my shoulders, leaving me with a dazed, sleepy, almost euphoric feeling rushing through me.

Then only a minute later, he slumped forward and his eyes slid shut. I lifted my hands shakily, closing my eyes, trying to figure out the tidal wave of emotions inside me. And then, all I could feel was fear, and sadness.

How was Natsu going to react when he remembered this?

Wheh. *wipes forehead* There's a chapter for you.

So much angst/fluff in this chapter, I can't even.

(Fresh, when are you just going to bite the nail and start the final battle)

Soon, friends, soon. Questions need to be answered!

Questions

You're Australian, is it the fauna really scary over there? I grew up with it, so I don't find it nearly as scary as tourists would, but then again, I only ride a Kangaroo to Uni, not a huntsman spider.

All hail Princess of the Fresh! Defender of the sacred Nalu, Ninja of cliffhangers, Commander of the pen, Mistress of the cockblock, Destroyer of the sickness and Champion of medicines… / this ain't even a question, I just snorted and wanted to get this written on my grave

So are we gonna get all the Aconologia shit explained more soon? Don't worry boo, sometimes I just write 'Ajhdfjsjhksdf' when trying to type out Acnologia. Me thinks he needs a nick-name. Maybe demon!Natsu can prescribe one. And yes.

Will we get to see bonding between Erza, Ultear and Lucy? Yes! Next chapter is called 'their ranks' and oh boy oh boy, it'll be great.

Could you recommend and anime/manga like Fairy Tail? There's nothing QUITE like FT out there but Kamisama Kiss, BNHA, Blue Exorcist, Snow White with the Red Hair, Beelzebub (it looks weird when you start watching/reading it but omg baby beel) and to give you more, I'd have to go through my list and I'm just… really lazy.

What gave you food poisoning? Uncooked chinese. Bluergh.

So is Acnologia Lucy's Great great great grandfathrr or something? You'd think by the amount of times I've made a big ass deal about Lucy & Acnologia's relations, this question wouldn't be asked broham but yes. He's her great (however many greats) grandfather.

Don't mistake me being on time for this chapter meaning I know what I'm doing. It was just luck that I happened to push through my fatigue and push this shit to my editor who probably dealt with the inane rambling of a bed-bound lunatic.

If you go to my Tumblr, you will find Lucy in her true Banshee form! It's at the tippy-top of my blog so it's hard to miss, give it a like and let me know what you think!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and the madness it created.

(after all, I never said END was gone for good ;) )

stay fresh, hopeless mortals

xo freshprincess