I AM SOOOOO SOOOO SORRY THAT THIS TOOK SO LONG! I HOPE THIS CHAPTER MAKES UP FOR IT! I AM NOT GOING TO LIE I CRIED AT THE END…. I SHOULDN'T HEAR SAD SONGS ANYMORE WHEN I WRITE THIS STORY. WELL GAJEEL, LEVI, AND EVERYONE ELSE IS BUSY THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE HAVING TO MUCH ALLERGIES. WEIRD RIGHT? WELL I WANT TO THANK ALL MY FAITHFUL REVIEWERS AND READERS THANKS SO MUCH FOR LIKING MY STORY AND I HOPE THIS CHAPTER WILL MAKE UP FOR BEING SO LATE IN UPDATING. THANK YOU FOR UPDATING MY STORY :D LOVE YOU! :D THROUGH THIS WHOLE CHAPTER HEAR THE SONG WITH ME BY SUM 41 THAT IS WHAT I HEARD AND I CRIED SO MUCH IN THE END…THAT AND I AM A DORK :D WELL LET ME GET TO THE STORY! SORRY AGAIN FOR THE LATE UPDATE
"But Igneel why do I have to go?" Lucy asked as her brown eyes searched the dragons with a sorrowful expression. She woke up this morning to see a small black backpack packed with her stuff. Igneel just told her that she has to go. Igneel sighed sadly as he looked towards the forest.
"Lucy what did I tell you a few months ago?" Igneel spoke looking at the blonde woman in sadness. Not that she is leaving because he has taught her how to fight and take care of herself. Igneel is just worried about what will happen once Natsu finds out Lucy doesn't remember.
"But Igneel…" Lucy whined.
"LUCY! This is no time for whining you are already 22 years old! You are a woman! I DIDN'T TEACH YOU TO BE A WHINER! NOW WHAT I TELL YOU!" Igneel scolded at the woman. Lucy just stared at Igneel's enormous black eyes sadly then looked down.
"You told me that there would be a time where I would be separated from you! You told me that when that times comes that I must go with no remorse or complaints!" Lucy sighed in defeat as she picked up her backpack. She turned around facing the trees and staring walking towards town with Igneel right behind her following. "You're walking to town?" Lucy asked bewildered as she turned her head to see the red dragon following behind her.
"I am only walking you to where the forest ends and the town starts it's a long walk to take by yourself." Igneel just rolled his eyes. Igneel continued to walk with the blonde in silence. The morning sun heating his scales happily through the trees. The wind blowing around him is signifying peace.
"Why can't you come with me?" Lucy muttered breathing out as she held on her strap of her backpack with force. Her blonde hair blew with the wind as she continued walking. She quickly ignored Igneel's growl in frustration as she felt the steam of his nose hit her.
"Lucy you know why! Dragons like me can't be seen in your world!"
"Yeah! Yeah!"
"Anyways I have taught you how to fight with your abilities you have! You have some money in your bag! And you have been to town before!"
"But do we have to say goodbye now?" Lucy said sadly as she stopped right in her tracks. She refused to put her head up to see the town. She refused to believe that this will be his stop and where she keeps going. She is standing exactly where the forest ends. The town is just past this hill a couple hundred feet away. The green long grass moved with the wind as the noises from the town can be heard around her. Igneel laid down behind her and sighed sadly.
"There are no such things as goodbyes Lucy! Only hellos! This won't be the last time we see each other!" Igneel's eyes widened as he saw the blonde turn around to face him. Her cheeks puffy. Her nose red. Tears going down her face as she squinted her eyes in sadness. Just looking at her is breaking the old dragon's heart. He didn't want to lose another child, but he has no choice. Like he had no choice when he left Natsu.
"But why! Why do I get the feeling that once I step out of this forest that this will be the last time I will see you!" Lucy sobbed as she clenched her fist over her throbbing heart. Igneel looked at the blonde concerned. He noticed before when they were walking in the forest that the closer Lucy got to town the more she would clench her fist over her heart.
"You will see me again! Just keep me in your heart and I will always be near you! Now come here!" Igneel said motioning the blonde to come to him.
Lucy let out a final sob and ran to the red dragon. She wrapped her arms on his enormous neck and sobbed for their departing. Igneel curled around the blonde and he hugged her back with his whole body.
"Goodbye my child!" Igneel whispered as Lucy finally pulled away. Her face still puffy. Igneel used his long tail a wiped the tears from her cheeks. "know that we will meet again!"
"Bye Igneel!" Lucy said once she breathed in. Her confidence coming back to her. "I will defiantly live my life to the fullest! I promise I will make you proud Igneel! I won't cry or whine or even be a baby anymore! I will fight and keep fighting! I swear I will make you proud!" Lucy smiled determined as she held her fist up. Igneel smiled proudly at the girl and nodded letting the lone tear of his slide down his cheeks.
"You already make me proud!" Igneel whispered as he watched Lucy walk with determination away from him.
Lucy stopped right at the edge of the forest. Looking at the town below she breathed in. Letting her breath out heavily she stepped out of the forest. She walked a few feet away and stopped turning around to face the sad red dragon she waved sadly. Then she continued to walk down the hill towards the town she smiled as she saw the familiar farmer boy, Billy, that always plays with his dog around this area. She waved at him happily as the boy jumped excited knowing that the women who the town holds so dear is back.
Igneel sighed sadly then blew out fire from his mouth. The fire came together in shape of a sphere. The middle of the flaming sphere cleared up revealing to the red dragon what his son, Natsu, is doing. Igneel watched as the train made it to its stop at the station and his son was instantly revived from the motion sickness. Natsu grumbled about never going on a train as he grabbed his things and walk towards the door. Igneel looked up to see Lucy still walking with her hands clutching her heart. Igneel looked back at Natsu to see him already about to step out the train. Then just as Natsu's last foot hit the cement of the train station proving that he is officially in the their town of Strata Igneel heard a familiar painful cry echo in his ears. The red dragon snapped his enormous head up in panic to see Lucy already down the hill, but on the ground. Grass covering and her cloths rumpled signifying that she fell and rolled down the hill to the spot where she is now. She is breathing heavily, her eyes shut in a painful expression, and her hand is clutching tightly on her chest. Igneel growled in frustration knowing he can't go out in the open to help her. The young farmer boy, Billy, ran to her with his dog for her aid.
"Why? My heart? It won't stop pounding in my chest…it hurts!" Lucy breathed out in a painful whisper as she let Billy help her up.
"Lucy-nee? Are you alright?" Billy asked worriedly as he stared at Lucy with his pink eyes. Lucy smiled softly ignoring her heart's pain and ruffled the boy's blonde hair.
"I am fine, Billy! Don't worry!" She smiled as she stood straighter holding the backpack to her closer beginning her walk again. Billy immediately grabbed her hand and smiled. They walked to town laughing and smiling like always when she comes and visits. Just this time she isn't returning to the woods.
"These kids are going to kill me!" Igneel sighed in relief seeing that she was alright. "She has the scarf! She will be protected!" Igneel said to himself reassuringly. The flame he had near him extinguished leaving the only image of Natsu walking through the town. Igneel turned around and made his way back to the prairie in the middle of the forest where he and Lucy stayed at for five years. "I will check on them when I get back to the prairie!"
In the streets of Strata..
Natsu walked along the streets of Strata with only a large camping bag and blanket on his back. His eyes looking around the small town seeing people walk around happily, but there is something strange about these people. There was something even strange about this town. Natsu felt it once he stepped off the train. It's as if this town is protected by a powerful magical force that is keeping it peaceful.
Natsu continued to walk through town looking everywhere for just a spark of hope of the blonde woman he is searching for. The smell of food filled his nose as his stomach grumbled heavily.
"Ugh! I'm so hungry! …..but I don't have money!" Natsu grumbled whining about his loss of money that he spent on the train ride. "I knew I should have walked!"
"Mama! She's back! She's back!" A blue haired boy pulled his mom as he jumped excitedly. They ran past Natsu towards the town center.
Natsu immediately turned to see everyone happily going to the center. They gathered in front of the fountain and talked happily. Natsu's eyes widened as he caught the blonde hair of the figure that everyone is going to. His feet moved on their one as his heart kept pounding. Natsu continued to walk towards the crowd in disbelief that he finally found her. He know it's her without a doubt. He can tell it's her just by the rapid beating of his heart. No one can tell him he is wrong. He is a dragonslayer after all his instincts are always right.
The crowd around the blonde woman went from happy to worry as the she walked from side to side like a drunk. Her hand clutching her heart in pain. Natsu immediately pushed his way through the crowd in panic to see if she is alright. He heard the people say her name in worry. Her name the name of the woman he loves. The name of the one he is looking for. Her name is…
"Lucy!" Natsu said out of breath once he pushed himself in front of the blonde woman. She stood a few feet in front of him staring wide eyed. The crowd of people surrounded them staring. Natsu stared at the blonde beauty as tears went down his eyes. He did it. He finally found her. His Lucy. Her honey-brown eyes stared at him in shock. Her long blonde hair flowed down to her waist. She is more mature and grown up since last time he saw her. Natsu shook his head lightly he doesn't want to remember that day. "I finally found you!" He said happily his heart feels as if a great amount of weight has been taken out. Then just as he went to go closer to her she fell to the floor with her eyes closed. Her hand still clutching her chest.
Natsu stared in shock at her lying figure in the infirmary bed at a nearby doctor's house. The old doctor was nice enough to let Lucy and him stay. Natsu sighed as he grabbed Lucy's hand clutching it close to his lips. He kissed her hand lightly. Thanking God that he found her. Natsu stared at her angelic sleeping face he caressed her cheek lightly with his free hand. He smiled as his hand made contact with her soft skin.
"I've missed you! Don't ever leave me again! Please be ok!" He cried as he hugged her hands. He held them as if she were going to fade.
"Uhmm sir? I found Lucy's bag!" A middle aged man said opening the door revealing a black backpack. The man looked at Natsu with concern then at worry for the blonde girl. "What relationship do you have with Lucy?"
"That is none of your business!" Natsu said as he got up and grabbed Lucy's bag from the man's hand. He thanks the man and sat back down looking at the bag intently. Wondering why she had only a backpack with her.
"No offense, Natsu sir. Lucy is really precious to this town! She saved us around five years ago from a famine that we were going through. She was so beautiful as she stood in the middle of the fields chanting in a different language. The sky glowed a bright golden light and all the crops grew and we weren't upset anymore. I don't know ever since that day this town has prospered greatly. It's all because of her! She always comes to get supplies for where she lives and when she comes she always helps out in the town. Also she plays with the kids and says hi to everyone. She brought life to our once dead town. So you must understand why I ask you what is your relationship with her!" The middle aged man asked looking at Natsu directly in the eyes.
"I knew her before you did and I will never hurt her if you are thinking that! That is all I am going to tell you! Thank you for taking care of her and letting us stay the night!" Natsu stared at the man annoyed. The man immediately nodded at him and walked out the room slamming the door. "Great now I have to deal with annoying ass nosy people in this town!" Natsu sighed as he walked back to the backpack. "Where were you this whole time, Luce?"
Natsu opened the backpack curiously only to see cloths and toiletries visible, but he smelled something! Something familiar. In panic Natsu stuck his hand in the backpack moving it through it until he finally caught the source of the familiar. His eyes widen in shock as he lifted the fabric out revealing a scarf identical to the one Igneel gave him. It even smelled like Igneel. In fact the whole backpack did! Millions of questions went through Natsu's head.
"Ugh!" Lucy groaned as she got up slowly not noticing Natsu next to the window still holding the scarf in shock. "What happened?" Lucy looked around the room until her eyes fell on Natsu. Her eyes widened as she only recognized him as the man in her dreams. He was exactly the same down to the pink hair and Onyx eyes. Lucy continued to stare as he slowly faced her looking at her expressionless. He had so many emotions going through him that Lucy couldn't even read them.
"Lucy…Where is Igneel? And why do you have a scarf like mine?" He spoke demanding. Lucy's eyes immediately landed on her bag which was opened with everything spilled out of the table. Her eyes widened in anger.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU GOING THROUGH MY SHIT! AND WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM MY FATHER, IGNEEL!" Lucy yelled in anger as she immediately got up and snatched back her scarf from him. Her brown eyes stared at him angrily.
"Father?"
"Yea! He raised me for as long as I can remember!" She said annoyed as Natsu continued to stare at her. "Stop staring at me!" She hissed. Lucy more than anything wants to run back to Igneel and cry, but she promised she will be strong and make him proud. Her knuckles turned white from clutching the scarf close to her afraid that the man might take it.
"Lu…Luuce? Do you know who I am?" The man asked still in shock that she knows where Igneel is.
"NO! Why would I?" Natsu's eyes widened as he stared at the blonde in shock. He has never been so terrified before. The love of his life doesn't remember him and on top of that she knows where Igneel is. So that means he is still alive.
"Take me to Igneel!" Natsu said pleading the annoyed blonde who just shook her head no. "WHY!"
"Why would I take you? I don't even know you! So you can hurt him? NO! Just cause he is a dragon and is still alive doesn't mean you can kill him for the benefits of his blood! I won't let anyone hurt him!" Lucy growled angrily as her body glowing in a golden light. Natsu's eyes widened in awe as the women in front of her looked so much like a warrior goddess.
"Take me to him! I promise I won't him!" Natsu said calmly trying to retain his anger. All his emotions threatening to come out. He wants to hug Lucy and yet he wants to see Igneel. He doesn't know which one. He looked at the determined Lucy and sighed. She doesn't remember him at all.
"NO! WHAT BUSINESS YOU HAVE WITH HIM!" She yelled as she tied the scarf safely on her hips over her black jeans. The scarf commented her whole figure it was made just for her. And like Natsu with his scarf it is the most precious thing to her. Igneel is the most precious person to her and she will protect him.
"BUSINESS? I HAVE BEEN SEACHING FOR HIM FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS! HELL I WAS SEARCHING FOR YOU FOR FIVE YEARS AND WHEN I FINALLY FOUND YOU! YOU DON'T EVEN REMEMBER ME!" Natsu yelled as his temper snapped at the blonde. Lucy just glared angrily at him.
"I NEVER MEET YOU IN MY LIFE, PINKY! WHY THE HELL YOU SEARCHING FOR US? I STILL WON'T TELL YOU WHERE IGNEEL LIVES!"
"FUCK THIS!" Natsu yelled in anger as he put his hand behind Lucy's head and pushed her towards him forcing their lips to clash together in a forced kiss. Oh how Natsu missed those lips, but all too soon those lips were gone and were replaced with a palm. A loud smack echoed in the room.
"WHAT THE HELL YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" Lucy shrieked angrily as she brought her hand placing it over her heart that can't stop beating in excitement. Her face completely red in embarrassment as she stared at the cause for this.
Natsu just stared at her in sadness and anger. His face had a red hand printed on the right cheek where Lucy smacked. It won't stop throbbing in pain, but he just ignored it because his emotions are on high.
"You really don't remember." He whispered sadly to himself. His onyx eyes holding a painful look.
"REMEMBER WHAT! WHAT THE HELL IS IT THAT YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT! I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU AND YOU JUST KISSED ME!"
"I have to take you to the guild..maybe ..master would know what to do." Natsu though out loud ignoring the blonde's yells.
"TAKE ME WHERE? THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I AM GOING WITH YOU!" Lucy yelled angrily her body glowing brighter and things in the room floated around.
"I DON'T GIVE A SHIT WHAT YOU WANT! YOU ARE COMING WITHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!" Natsu yelled growling at her. Natsu stuffed all her stuff back in the black bag holding it.
"So you're going to kidnap me!" Lucy hissed looking at Natsu threateningly. She smirked deviously. "You can try!" Natsu raised his eyebrows at her.
"Are you challenging me?" Natsu mocked as his body immediately lit on fire. Lucy widened her eyes for a moment then got back serious to him. Both of them studied each other waiting who will go first.
'What the hell is this guy's problem! Why does he look so much like the guy in my dreams? First he asks about Igneel then he asks if I remember him! I don't get him! Then he had the damn decency to kiss me! Now he wants to kidnap me! What the hell is his problem!' Lucy thought as she stared at Natsu angrily. Her temper getting the better of her.
"I don't want to force you to come with me! You ARE going back with me and then once master figures out what is wrong with you! You WILL tell me where Igneel is!" Natsu demanded as he stared at the angry blonde woman. He hates talking to her like this, but it seems he has no other way. She won't tell him anything! She doesn't trust him. She doesn't even remember him or anyone from the guild from what it seems. Natsu's heart seems to break more and more he looks at her. She seems so angry to him. He just wants his Lucy back. Why won't she tell him where Igneel is?
"No!"
"I am serious!"
"And I am serious I don't even know you! Why would I go with you! Hell why do I still stay here with you! I have to go!" Lucy hissed as she snatched her backpack out of Natsu's hand and walked towards the door. Natsu sighed in frustration as he walked right behind her stopping her.
"I'm sorry, Lucy." He whispered as if he was in pain as he turned the blonde punching her in the stomach knocking her out cold. He immediately lifted her and swung her over his shoulder. "Now how to sneak out of this damn town without being seen." He looked down still carrying the unconscious girl. "What am I doing?" He whispered sadly and ran out the door with Lucy in his arms. He ran in the shadows of the buildings so no one will see him kidnap this town's most precious person.
From the prairie in the forest..
Igneel watched Lucy and Natsu through his makeshift orb of flames. He sighed sadly knowing the heartache his son must be going through now. Igneel continued to stare in the orb as Layla appeared quietly beside him. Her body glowing bright gold as she stood silently next to him.
"Those children seem to go through too much pain." Layla spoke softly as she watched in sadness at Lucy and Natsu fighting. "Their anger is only making it worse. Lucy finally got to him so her heart is going to be alright! Her life no longer in danger. Just now I suspect is that her heart is happy with just being next him."
"He isn't angry!" Igneel spoke softly as he watched in pain at his children fighting. "He is hurt and he is letting his emotions take control of him. He is just showing anger when really in the inside he is just a kid who wants to cry."
"He is a strong boy if he is able to keep his sadness in. He seems to show some self-control with her! You taught him well." Layla complimented the dragon. They continued to watch their kids fight through the fire. They watched when Natsu kissed Lucy and Lucy smacked him. They watched as Natsu punched Lucy in the gut and is now carrying her unconscious body to the train station without being seen.
"He is keeping her safe first. As much as he wants to find me! Natsu knows there is something wrong with Lucy so he is going to get help. To him she is more important in his heart than I." Igneel spoke proudly at his son.
"What I don't understand is to why you gave her that scarf made from your scales?" Layla asked curiously as she looked at Igneel. Igneel sighed and looked at her.
"I just wanted to give her something that would make her feel at ease when she is upset or down. She is going to be going through a lot starting now. She needs something that will show her that I am always with her. It will heat her when she is cold. It will dry her tears when she cries. It will protect her for as long as she lives!"
"It's the same as Natsu?"
"Not quite! The scarf that I have given Lucy conceals some of her powers so no one will recognize she is the Celestial Goddess. They won't see how powerful she really is and try to take her." Igneel said. "When she was angry in the room with Natsu and the object in the room floated around them as her body glowed well that was only the little bit of power that she has when she has on the scarf. Once that scarf isn't on her …she can be powerful beyond belief."
"You're telling me as if I don't know already." Layla said looking at her old friend. "I already know the capability of Lucy's power. Why do you think I died? I died so many years ago just so I can conceal her powers. I should have just come to you for you to make a scarf." Layla chuckled sadly as she continued to stare at Igneel. Igneel looked at her worriedly as he saw tears coming down her face slowly. Lifting up his tail he wiped her tears for her. Layla sniffed. "Look at me I am a mess! I am scared and worried for her. She is still so young."
" Don't cry, Layla! She will be alright! I know of it! She is a strong girl! You forget who raised her for the past five years!" Igneel spoke trying to cheer up the crying woman.
"You're to fool of yourself." Layla chuckled again sadly as the tears still came down. She quickly wiped them with a handkerchief she had in her pocket of her white dress.
"Layla you must remember that part of being young is going through pain and sadness. Don't you think that if they don't go through this they would never be strong in hoping for a better tomorrow? The pain and sadness makes them strong. Instead of crying they are fighting."
"In this world it seems that the sadness and pain never ends. It seems that there will never be a better tomorrow." Layla said once she calmed a little bit down.
"That is Life! But trust in this old dragon! There will be a better tomorrow. Maybe not now. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon. They just have to fight for it. Continue to fight for it. That is what they are good at. Fighting to the end and never giving up no matter what the circumstances are. As long as those two have each other they will be fine." Igneel said smiling at her encouragingly.
"How can you be so wise yet so temperamental?" Layla asked at the now offended dragon.
"I am not tempermental!"
"Yes. You are! It seems Lucy got it from you also!" She said accusingly at him. Igneel just laughed along with the blonde spirit. "Igneel, I didn't come here only to watch. I came to take you."
"You have done it?" Igneel exclaimed surprised. Layla put her hands on her hips annoyed.
"You believed I could not?" She said offended. Igneel just rolled his large black eyes at his old friend.
"How long will it take?" He asked as Layla pressed a hand on his scales making his whole enormous body start to glow in a golden light along with Layla's.
"I can just tell you that it won't be done by tomorrow." Layla said knowing that the response would annoy the red dragon. The dragon just huffed in annoyance. Their bodies glowing so bright that the only thing they can see is each other's face. Igneel smiled at Layla happily.
"Thank you, Layla!" He said. Layla smiled back at him. Their bodies disappeared towards the sky leaving the prairie dark with only the orb of flame glowing in the middle.
The orb showing the image of Natsu holding Lucy close to him on the train cart. His tears coming down nonstop as he held her unconscious body to him. He holds her as if she will disappear from his arms. His sobs out the five words that will forever be in his heart as his promise.
"I won't let you go!" He sobbed out clutching Lucy tighter to him.
The flame extinguishes leaving the forest dark and empty.