Hello Everyone!
Sorry this took so long. I've been busy with school and other things. Plus getting ready for the next anime con we are going to. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I apologize if it seems a little rushed.
~wolvesfinalden
Fairy Tail: By Your Side
Chapter 15: The Battle Ahead
Lucy awoke in her cell. She looked around and saw that she was chained against the wall. Quickly she checked her side for her keys but found they were no longer there. Sighing she leaned against the wall once again. There was no way she would be able to get out on her own, after all there was nothing around her she could use.
"Hopefully the others are alright." She whispered.
She looked ahead to see if they had put Duke in a cell beside her but found no one around her. Duke could probably easily break out if he could, meaning that he might be able to find the others and herself soon. Finally Lucy decided all she could do for now was wait and leaned her head against the wall and shut her eyes, letting herself fall into a deep sleep.
Happy and Carla were now flying to their friends. They had found out that this is where they had come from. They were called Exceeds and they're mission had been to take the dragon slayers from Earthland and bring them back to Edolas. Happy denied the fact that he would ever hurt Natsu and decided to get away and find Natsu and the others. Carla was unsure but then agreed with the tom cat, she didn't want anything to happen to Wendy so she went along with him.
They were now nearing the castle and flew into the closest window. Once inside Happy looked to Carla.
"Where should we start looking?" Happy asked her.
"Let's try this hall way and work our way down. There's no time to lose." She said hurrying off.
The two were walking down the second hallway and when it seemed that no one was down this way either they began to leave. Carla went ahead and Happy was about to follow after her until he noticed something sitting in one of the cells. The exceed peered around into the cell and saw Lucy leaning against the wall with chains attached to her wrists.
"Carla I found Lucy!" he shouted happily.
Happy then tried pulling on the bars but it wouldn't budge.
"Use your claws tom cat. We are also cats you know." Carla said.
Happy then unsheathed his claws and picked the lock to the cell. Carla went in ahead and began to work on the locks of the chains around Lucy's wrists. Once those were free, Happy began to try and wake Lucy up.
"We need to hurry. Someone will probably turn up around here soon." Carla said urgently.
"Lucy you got to wake up!" Happy begged.
Slowly Lucy's eyes began to open. She was surprised to see Happy and Carla with her. She looked down and saw her chains were undone as well as the door to her cell.
"Come on child we must hurry." Carla said hurrying out the door.
Lucy then got up and followed Happy outside. They ran down the hall and kept moving not knowing exactly where they were going. When they rounded the next corner they were unfortunate to find three people walking their way. One looked almost exactly like Erza but Lucy could tell it wasn't their Erza.
"Quick hide!" Carla whispered.
Happy and Carla were able to get out of site but Lucy was unable. The other Erza had spotted her and was now running after her with the other guards. Happy ran after her and shouted back at Carla.
"You should try and find Natsu and the others. I'm sure they're close by since Lucy was here."
Carla nodded and ran the opposite direction. Rounding every corner and trying to catch sight of Wendy. So far she wasn't having any luck. She was about to round the next corner until she slammed into something that was running up the hallway she turned on.
Carla was knocked down and quickly glanced up only to be eye to eye with a white wolf. He almost looked identical to Lucy's wolf, Duke, but this one had bright red eyes.
"Careful where you run Exceed. Don't want you getting into too much trouble." The wolf spoke.
The white exceed was surprised to hear him talk but she shook it off quickly not wanting to be caught off guard.
"Carla!" a voice yelled.
Carla looked behind the wolf and saw Wendy with Natsu and Duke.
"Thank heavens you're alright." Carla said relieved.
"Where's Happy?" Natsu asked.
"He ran after Lucy, we got her out but as we were running I believe the Edolas version of Erza caught her, so her and the guards with her ran after her. Happy went after her, I'm not sure where they are now." Carla explained.
"We should get moving then." Natsu said seriously.
Duke and Edolas Duke already sprang into action and ran up ahead, trying to catch up to Happy and Lucy. Duke ran faster than his other self and was able to catch Lucy's scent but what scared him was the smell of fear mixed into her own scent. The white wolf ran as fast as he could and rounded corner after corner until he saw Lucy.
He paused for a second when he saw the Edolas Erza holding her over the open window. Happy was begging her not to drop Lucy but Duke could tell that was her only intention. Duke growled and sprinted forward, ignoring the yells from the others behind him.
Edolas Erza heard them and she quickly let go of Lucy letting her fall towards the ground. Duke made it to the window in record time and jumped down after her. Only barely hearing Natsu's screams.
"Duke no!"
Duke ignored it as he followed his master. When he caught up to her in the air he grabbed her with his mouth and managed to help her onto his back. Once she was secure there Duke let his magic out and remembered what he had done to get to Edolas. Wings began to sprout out of him as they were merely seconds from the ground.
Natsu's heart was racing. He had just seen the Edolas Erza drop Lucy and then Duke only a second behind, jump down after her. He was about to follow them before he was stopped by the Edolas Duke.
"Trust your Duke. You'd be surprised at what wolves can actually do and I can only assume Earthland's wolves are just as powerful as ours." He said.
The dragon slayer wasn't calmed by his words but he accepted them. Duke loved Lucy more than anything, so if there was a way he could save her, that's what he'd do. The fire mage then turned to the Edolas Erza growling lowly. He remembered what his father had told him long ago before he disappeared.
Flashback
'Remember Natsu when you've found that special someone in your life, never let them go. They will be your only mate, this means that you will be more protective of them. If anyone dares hurt them you will feel the uncontrollable urge to attack them. Even if you have never admitted your love for them.' Igneel said.
End Flashback
Natsu's growls got louder as the mere thought of Lucy being hurt or even worse, all because she dropped her. He was about to attack when he was interrupted by a familiar sound. Everyone turned to see Lucy riding on top of Duke, who at the moment, had the purest of white wings sprouted out of his back. Though that wasn't the only change Natsu noticed. Duke's fangs that were normally hidden inside his mouth were now overlapping his jaw even when it was closed.
Duke landed on the ground and let Lucy off and proceeded to growl at Edolas Erza. She slowly backed away knowing what the other wolf was capable of and was afraid to find out what this one could really do.
Edolas Duke jumped beside Duke and began to let his power show through as well. He sprouted his own wings as well but instead of white they were completely jet black but his fangs had also grown and were now exactly like Duke's.
"I see we are one in the same when it comes to this." Edolas Duke spoke.
Duke simply nodded as he glared at Erza. Before they could attack a crash was sounded through the entire building. Erza looked at the guards who were now pulling back.
"We should go now. We need to get back to the king."
"Right." Erza said as she followed the other guards.
"What was that noise?" Wendy asked.
"I'm not sure but it doesn't sound good." Happy said uneasy.
"Quick we have to make it outside." Edolas Duke yelled.
Everyone followed Edolas Duke but Duke hung back when two familiar scents hit his nose. He looked back and peered around the nearest corner and was relieved at what he found.
"What's that up ahead?" a female voice spoke.
"Wait is that Duke?" a male voice responded.
Duke ran down to greet them and found that it was Erza and Gray. Gray patted the wolf on the head before he spoke again.
"Where's Lucy and the others?" Gray asked.
Duke turned around and walked up the hallway and turned the corner where Lucy and Natsu were waiting with others not far ahead of them.
"Thank goodness you guys are alright." Lucy said.
"Yes indeed but we should probably get out of here. That sound before didn't sound to good." Erza said looking around.
"This way!" Edolas Duke yelled.
The group reached outside the castle and ran as far away as they could. Before they could get far enough away Edolas Duke paused when two familiar scents hit his nose. He looked to his left and his heart almost stopped. There standing was his Lucy and Natsu. The wolf couldn't believe his own eyes.
"Lucy?" He said almost in unbelief.
Edolas Lucy turned and gasped when she saw her wolf standing there.
"Duke!" she yelled.
She ran towards him as fast as she could and Edolas Duke sprinted towards her. Edolas Lucy held out her arms and Edolas Duke jumped into them. He licked her face and the tears that were now falling from her eyes.
Edolas Natsu smiled, he hadn't seen his Lucy smile like this in such a long time. She seemed to be back to herself once again. Though he knew it wasn't good to stand around here much longer so he motioned for them to leave.
Everyone followed after him and excited the palace grounds. They managed to get to the nearby town, racing through the streets. Finally Duke paused when a familiar scent hit his nose. He quickly sniffed the air once again to make sure and sure enough the scent of metal and iron hit his nose once again.
Lucy noticed her wolf and looked around to see what he had found. She looked over and noticed he was looking towards a man standing in the crowd. She was surprised when she recognized him right away.
"Natsu wait!" she called to him.
Natsu stopped and looked back to see what was wrong. He then smiled when he saw the other dragon slayer being greeted by Duke.
"Never thought I'd be happy to see you." He said gruffly as he patted his head.
Duke wagged his tail and looked towards the rest of the group coming over.
"Good to see ya." Natsu said smiling.
"Same here Salamander but we got bigger problems. That lacrima holding the guild is going to be broken up for magic supply for Edolas. If we don't do something soon the guild is done for." Gajeel said.
Erza nodded and decided on what to do.
"We'll have to split up and take down those in charge." Erza said.
Edolas Lucy, Natsu and Duke then stepped forward.
"The three of us will head back to our guild and see what we can do. With Duke back I'm sure we'll have enough power to be of some help." Edolas Lucy spoke.
The rest nodded and went to leave until Edolas Duke stopped in front of Duke.
"I'd advise you to learn the language of your humans. I know you are capable of that much. Be ready for anything that is to come ahead. That power you displayed will surely be of help." He whispered to his other. "You and I are a lot alike, stay safe brother we will meet again shortly."
Duke nodded and watched his Edolas-self as he ran behind his Natsu and Lucy. Duke looked back at the group. Carefully looking over Lucy, Natsu, and Happy.
'The time has come.' Duke spoke to himself.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, as always if you like the story and havent yet please fav or follow the story. Also if you could leave a review letting me know what you think. Thanks so much you guys for reading it means a lot to me.
~wolvesfinalden
