Heyyyy my main floofers! How are ya likin' the story so far? I mean, me personally, I like it a lot but, I'm probably a little bias (lol). My friend mentioned that I hadn't put Happy in the last chapter so I gave him his own little feature at the end so look forward to that! Anyways, I'll try and get a chapter out before next weekend but no promises. The latest I'll put another chapter out is next Saturday so I'll still try to stay on somewhat of a schedule. The next chapter will be a huge climax, so I'll try and make it really EPIC for you all! This chappie was a little shorter than I wanted it to be as well so sorry for the lack of content. Enjoy!~
Natsu didn't know how long he'd been running, but it had felt like forever. His legs were numbed from being outside for so long, but Natsu kept going. He had checked everywhere for her, her favorite bookstore, coffee shop, the Magnolia tree, everywhere except the guild hall. Natsu ran up to the front entrance and grasped the pole of the archway before his legs gave out. He slid down and sat in a pile of snow, not caring that his pants were getting soaked. His chest heaved as he took deep breaths of air, gasping for oxygen. He fought for consciousness as dark spots dotted his vision. He had to find Lucy, he couldn't let his body give up now. He wouldn't let himself give up. Natsu leaned his head against the freezing bar. He had to find her, make sure she was safe. Natsu took another deep breath while the black dots in his vision spread. He had to find her, make sure she's safe. He felt his body slowly losing strength and he fought to keep consciousness.
Natsu lost and his body slumped, finally giving in from exhaustion. His eyes fluttered closed, with images of Lucy burned onto the inside of his eyelids.
Some minutes later, Gray strolled out of the guild, shirtless as always, Juvia following close behind. He had come back from a mission earlier that day, and Juvia just wouldn't leave him alone. He smiled at the snow that fell gently onto the ground. He always loved winter, it reminded him of when Ur and Lyon would run around making snow angles. Gray was halfway out the door, when he saw a figure slumped against a pole. Gray rushed over and cursed. He called out to Juvia who was at his side in a second. They both carried Natsu's unconscious body into the guild.
"Hey, someone get Wendy! Flame-for-brains passed out!" Gray yelled, trying to mask his worry with his nickname for his comrade. Juvia held the door open as Gray heaved Natsu over his shoulder and set him down on a bed. He watched as Natsu mumbled something and threw his head to the side. Juvia leaned against the wall parallel to the bed.
'What the hell did he do this time..?' Gray thought as a small blue haired mage entered the room, Carla following close behind.
"What happened?!" Wendy exclaimed, worry strewn across her young face.
Gray shook his head, "We don't know. We just found him outside the guild passed out cold…"
Wendy nodded and went to Natsu's side. She pressed her fingers against his neck. She nodded slightly before removing her hand and placing her hands across his chest. Carla watched Wendy as the small mage's hands started to glow. After a moment, the light dimmed and Wendy turned to Gray.
"There's nothing wrong with him internally, I think he was just tired. I don't know why though…" She paused, her finger on her chin in thought, "He doesn't normally push himself this far unless he's in battle."
"Maybe it had something to do with Lucy..?" Carla spoke up, "No one's seen her for a few days. Maybe he was worried.."
Gray looked to Natsu and nodded. When it came to Lucy, Natsu tended to lose all logic and reason. Gray exhaled and glanced to Juvia who was studying him with open eyes. Gray blushed slightly and looked to the opposite side, covering up his pink face. Wendy smiled softly at his sudden movements and resisted the urge to laugh. Really, why hadn't they gotten together yet? It was obvious that they liked each other.
"I could try and wake him up, but it would take a little bit. The spell works the best when I know the exact reason why something is wrong but it should still be effective enough to give his body some more energy. It will speed up his white blood cells to help him heal faster, and hopefully cause him to wake up." Wendy explained knowledgeably.
"Lu…no…" Natsu worried in his sleep, scrunching his face.
"Okay," He started, "thanks Wendy. We'll leave so you can concentrate."
Wendy smiled and nodded and watched them leave the room.
"Child," Carla chided, "If you think he's just unconscious then why are you wasting your time on this? He'll wake up eventually."
Wendy sighed and looked at her hands.
"I know, but something like this hardly ever happens. I feel like I should do at least something to try and help. Sometimes I just feel so useless..."
"Wendy, I want you to know that you are far from useless! You are a very vital part of this guild and you should never feel that you can't do anything!" Carla scolded.
"I know, but…" Wendy tried to argue but stopped herself. All she could do right now was try and help natsu.
She took a deep breath before splaying her hands over Natsu's chest. She focused her energy into her hands and furrowed her brow in concentration. Slowly, a small ball formed just underneath Wendy's hands and started to grow until it was about the size of a basket ball. It had a yellow glow, and Wendy slowly pushed the ball down towards Natsu's abdomen. There was a small whoosh when the ball made contact with Natsu's chest. There was a swell of light before it died down and Natsu's face became calm. His eyebrows un-furrowed and his face relaxed. Wendy sighed in accomplishment and leaned back in her chair. Carla watched her with prideful eyes, proud that Wendy had done the task with masterful hands.
"When do you think he'll wake up?" A female voice boomed from behind Wendy, causing her to jump. She turned her head and was met by worried gray one's.
"Erza!" Wendy exclaimed, grabbing her chest out of surprise, " So you heard…"
"Mh," Erza agreed, "I asked Gray what the commotion was about. So, he just passed out right?"
Wendy nodded and looked back to Natsu. He was breathing evenly, and seemed more at ease.
"Yeah, i'm not sure why though. Carla said it might've had something to do with Lucy." She paused, "No one's seen her in days…"
Erza clenched her hand and stared at the ground. She already knew why Natsu had worked himself so hard. He wouldn't admit it but Natsu loved Lucy, more than she thought humanly possible. It was cute to see him fret over her sometimes. He was still stupid to push himself this far though.
Erza's thoughts were interrupted by Wendy's gasp.
"Natsu!" Wendy exclaimed as Natsu slowly sat up, wincing slightly at the sudden loud noise. Wendy looked regretful but quickly recovered and helped him sit up.
"Wha- Lucy." He cut himself off. Erza walked over to him and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"We'll help you look for her in a moment, but you should tell us what happened-"
"NO! No, I have to go find her! Her father, he did something, and I don't know what. Erza, I have to find her!" He yelled, desperation in his voice.
Erza furrowed her brow and studied his eyes. They were boring into hers with an intensity that she had never seen before.
"Natsu, I know you're worried but-"
"NO! You DON'T know! Do you know how much Jude had put Lucy through?! He know's her every, EVERY weak point! Something is wrong, and I'm not going to let Jude ruin Lucy's life, again."
Erza looked at him through wide eyes. She had ever seen Natsu this serious, especially about Lucy. Natsu swung his legs over the bed and stood up much to Wendy's protests. He grimaced when he stood up but he fought through the pain. Erza knew she couldn't stop him, he wouldn't let anyone get in his way. He had finally realised how important Lucy was to him and he wasn't about to let that slip through his fingers. She walked to the door and opened it. She stood and waited for Natsu.
"Go." She spoke, her voice thunderous and proud. Natsu had grown up.
He slogged over to her and paused when he reached the door frame.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"Bring her back, safe." Erza gazed at him with a small smile.
She watched as Natsu struggled to the guild's front doors, his steps gaining confidence as he walked.
"Seems like the spell you used on him worked." Erza said while patting Wendy's head. Wendy nodded, happy that she could do something to help.
Natsu paused just outside the guild doors. He raised his fist to the air and made an 'L' shape, his face looking up towards the sky. Erza and Wendy both did the same, knowing that Natsu would never give up, no matter how much he or anyone else wanted him to. Slowly, the rest of the guild members raised their hands to the air in a silent cheer.
"I'll bring her back safe, I promise." He whispered before running off into the white streets of Magnolia.
'Wait for me Lucy, I'll be there soon.'
Happy yawned, small tears forming in the corners of his eyes. He squinted and stretched his arms upwards and stood up.
"Nassshhhhuuuuuu…" He whined, "I'm hungryyy, can we go fishingg?" He drawled as his stomach growled. When Happy heard no response he walked around the empty house. When he found no one he started to panic.
"Oh no! W-what if something happened to them! I should go out and find them and make sure Natsu and everyone else is okay!"
But then Happy felt very tired.
"What? No I don't!"
Yes you do! And so Happy fell asleep and was completely oblivious to the chaos around him.
"Who are you! And why is your text bold?!" Happy exclaimed
I am the author and whatever I say goes! So you fall asleep!
"What's your name?" He quizzed, wanting to figure out who this mysterious person was.
My name is Lany.
"Lenny?"
No, it's Lany. With a hard a.
"Lahny?"
NO, it's LAY-NIE, Lany!
"Loonie?"
NO! Argh! See, this is why I didn't put you into the third chapter!
"Why can't I go look for anyone?! I want to help!" Happy piped.
Happy, I know you do, but adding you in now would break the intensity of the story. I'm sorry buddy…
"Oh…" Happy sniffed, looking at the ground.
*sigh*
Fine, here;
Since Happy was so sad that the author had forgotten about him, she granted him with a thousand fish.
"THANK YOU AUTHOR LAUNY!"
IT'S LANY!
Hope you enjoyed!
~LANYbug135 ;)