SIDENOTE: I am planning on uploading one chapter a week. I'll upload two today just because this is my first fanfic and I already have the second chapter ready (This one's a little longer). Enjoy!
Lucy woke up late because she couldn't fall asleep for hours. She had been thinking about Natsu. Why was the thought of pretending to be in a relationship with him bothering her so much? She couldn't figure it out. It was only for a mission. It's not like it was real. She had been on countless missions with him before. This one should be no different.
She got up and went to take a hot shower to collect her thoughts. When she came out Natsu and Happy were sitting on her couch.
"What are you two doing in MY house!?"
"Hey Lucy!" Happy beamed.
"You can't just barge in!"
Natsu laughed, "We came to hang out".
"Next time wait until you're invited!" Lucy was fully aware she was standing in just a towel and knew her face was burning red.
"If that was the case we'd never get to come over", Happy replied.
"Exactly!" she clutched the towel around her making sure it was still there. There had been too many times to count when Natsu and Happy walked in on Lucy without anything on her at all.
"How about a game of strip poker?" Natsu looked excited. "Lucy's already half way there."
"Aye sir!"
"We will not!"
She looked and saw the pile of fish bones on her floor.
"Happy! Is that my food you've eaten? And why are they piled on my floor? I just cleaned it last night!"
"Wow she sure is grumpy today, huh Natsu?"
"Get out!" Lucy shouted pushing them out the door.
"Alright, alright" Natsu waved his arm at her, "We'll just leave the way we came." And with that him and happy jumped out the window. "We'll meet you at the train station later!" Natsu shouted up at her and then walked off with Happy sitting on his head.
Lucy couldn't believe those two. They were always barging into her house uninvited. She smiled to herself, they did make things more interesting though.
Lucy walked down to the usually carriage they sat in on the train and saw Natsu sitting there on his own. "Where's Happy?"
He looked up at her grumpily. "Mira said he can't come because this Lumont guy is allergic to animals and we won't get in if Happy comes."
"Oh" Lucy sat down opposite him. It was weird not having Happy there. Lucy always went on missions with Natsu but rarely just the two of them on their own. Come to think of it, Happy was almost always there with them.
A creaking sound began and the train lurched forward. Natsu fell sideways onto the seat. "I think I'm gonna be sick." He clutched his stomach.
Lucy sighed. "This is going to be a long journey."
The train finally stopped and Lucy dragged Natsu away from it. "Are you ok now?"
"Gimme a minute" Natsu wheezed, leaning his weight on Lucy.
A conductor walked up to them. "Miss, you and your boyfriend will have to move on. This path needs to be clear."
Lucy flushed read, "He's not my boyfriend" but the conductor had already walked away.
Natsu stood up straight slowly. "Ok, I think I'm good to go."
"Great. Let's go to the hotel and get dressed and then go to Mr. Lumont's place. We don't want to be late."
Lucy and Natsu started walking up to Mr. Lumonts mansion.
"Hang on" Natsu said stopping.
"What is it?"
"Only couples are allowed into this thing right?"
"Yeah."
He held out his arm. "If we want to get in we need them to believe we are one."
"Oh, yeah… right." Lucy looped her arm through his. It felt strange. Natsu wasn't the type of person to offer his arm for anyone. She knew he was only playing a part in this 'ninja game' of his, but it was such an odd sensation.
His arm was warm, Lucy noticed. Of course it's warm she scolded herself, he's a fire mage. The heat of his arm was comforting on the cold night and Lucy blushed at how much she was enjoying having hers looped through his. She was undoubtedly thankful that it was dark enough outside that he wouldn't be able to see her red face.
They walked up to the gate where two guards stood on either side. "Names please" One of the guards inquired.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thornbar" Lucy answered confidently.
The guard looked down at his list and then nodded over to the other guard who opened the gate. "Enjoy the evening."
"Thank you." Mira had got their fake names on the list, Lucy let out a sigh of relief. So far, so good.
"Ok Natsu, this mission is all about being stealthy. We'll go in, blend into the crowd and hopefully be able to wonder out of the ballroom without being noticed."
"Stealth is my middle name."
Oh God he's going to turn this place to rubble Lucy thought.
They walked through the doors of the large mansion to be greeted by loud music and a large crowd of people dancing. The ballroom was massive, with large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Lucy noted that there were six doors in this room and she wonder which one would be the best to slip out into.
Her thoughts were interrupted as a finely dressed young man walked up to them. "Good evening." He smiled to them. "Welcome to my home." He gestured around the room.
"Oh" Lucy was surprised. "Mr. Lumont." She was expecting him to be an older man.
"Forgive me but I don't seem to know your names."
"It's Lucy" she felt her heart pounding. "Lucy and Natsu Thornbar." She wasn't good at lying.
"Lucy," Mr. Lumont smiled. "We must not have met before because I would certainly remember someone as beautiful as you." She watched as he slid his eyes down the length of her body and then back to her face smiling with lust. "You're a lucky fellow to have found yourself a girl like this," he commented, looking at Natsu.
"Uh… yeah"
Lumont returned his eyes to Lucy. Something in the way he looked at her sent a shiver down her spine. "Would you like to dance?" He offered his hand to Lucy.
Lucy nudged closer to Natsu, feeling uncomfortable under Lumont's watchful eyes. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably and Natsu must have felt it because he cut in.
"I promised her the first dance" Natsu said to Lumonts disappointed face. He nodded graciously and then wondered off into the crowd.
Lucy was surprised that Natsu stepped in like that. She didn't think he'd notice she was uncomfortable.
"Are you ok?" Natsu looked worried.
Her pounding heart began to settle down. "Yeah, he just made me really uncomfortable. I don't know why."
"Alright, the sooner we get a look around his house the sooner we can leave." Natsu looked around the room. "There's a weird smell coming from that door over there. That's the best place to start."
Lucy nodded and let Natsu guide her towards the door. They were half way there when an old couple stepped in front of them.
"Oh what a beautiful pair you two are," the old woman smiled at them.
Lucy felt awkward standing beside Natsu pretending to be in a relationship with him. "Oh thank you", she replied.
"How long have you two been together?"
They both answered at the same time.
"A year."
"Two years."
Lucy tried to repair the damage. "Eh… It's actually been a year and a half." She laughed awkwardly. "I just always feel like it's closer to two years and Natsu must feel like it's closer to one."
"Oh how lovely. We've been together for fifty." The woman gestured to her husband. "I believe in the soulmates thing myself. I'm lucky to have found mine and you're lucky to have found yours. I can tell you two are in love. It's in the eyes you see."
Lucy felt her face burning at the woman's comment and Natsu tensed up beside her.
"Well, have a lovely evening dearies." She smiled to them. "I won't get in the way of your dancing."
"Thank you." Lucy couldn't wait for this embarrassing night to be over.
When the couple had walked off Natsu continued on his path towards the door and Lucy followed quickly behind him. They went unnoticed through the crowd for the rest of the way. Lucy closed the door behind them as they both slipped through it. A long corridor stretched out in front of them with four doors on each side.
"The smell's coming from this one." Natsu said, walking to one of the doors near the end. He pushed it open and Lucy followed him inside cautiously.
"It's so dark I can't see a thing." Just as she said it, Natsu let a flame burn up in his hand. "Thanks."
Natsu mumbled, "That's weird."
"What's weird?"
"The scent is gone. I can't smell it anymore."
"Let's go," Lucy started pulling Natsu towards the door. "Something doesn't feel right."
"We came here to do a job Lucy", Natsu said, walking further into the room. Lucy followed him skeptically. The room seemed to stretch far and even with Natsu's flames the end of the room couldn't be seen. What they could see, however, were rows of weapons lined up along the walls at each side. There were dozens of them, all different shapes and sizes.
"Well, this is an odd room to have in a fancy place like this." Lucy laughed nervously.
Just then the door slammed shut behind them, making Lucy squeal in surprise.
"What the hell?" Natsu turned to the door and started pulling at the handle, but it didn't budge. "Alright then, I'll just break it down." He let one of his fists surrounded with flames fly at the door. The minute his fist touched it, he was flung back in agony.
"Natsu!" Lucy yelled, running to him.
"Damn… that hurt." He half smiled, making Lucy sigh in relief.
"Don't bother trying that again." A familiar voice called. "This room is surrounded with a magic spell. I get to choose who enters and leaves it." Mr. Lumont walked out from the darkness at the end of the room.
"What are you playing at?" Natsu said angrily.
Lumont cocked his head to the side, "What am I playing at?" An evil grin played on his face. "I think I should be the one asking questions. For example, is there a reason you two are wondering around this part of my house?"
"Um... no, no." Lucy started helping Natsu up. "We were looking for the toilets and got lost."
"Really?" A wicked smile played on Lumont's lips.
Natsu was clearly fed up of the ninja game now. "We know you're hiding something here."
Lucy squealed. It was over. Their cover was blown. She knew Natsu wouldn't be able to keep quiet. He was always so direct.
A deep laugh filled the room. "Oh dear, it would seem you have caught me."
Lucy was shocked. "You're admitting it?"
"I knew it!" Natsu yelled, getting into a fighting stance.
"I have nothing to hide now since my work is almost complete." His grinning continued. "Do you know what type of magic I use?" Lucy didn't respond. "It's a type of controlling magic. You see, I can control whoever I want."
"A controlling wizard?" Lucy felt her heart picking up speed again.
Lumont looked at her again with lustful eyes. "You really are a pretty little thing, aren't you?" He smiled, "I'm going to have a lot of fun with you."
At those words Natsu's fists surrounded in flames and he started towards Lumont. But Lumont just casually held up one hand and said "Stop right there" and Natsu actually stopped.
"I can't move." Natsu looked shocked.
"Of course you can't" Lumont laughed. "Weren't you listening when I told you I am a controlling wizard?"
Lucy reached for her keys but Lumont was too quick. "Don't move" He shouted at her and of course, she couldn't move.
"I can move again." Natsu smiled. "Looks like you can't control two people at the same time. Now this is where the fun begins."
Lumont smiled as well. "You're right, this is where the fun begins. I can't control both of you at the same time, but I think you'll find it hard to attack me when you're fighting your friend here." He gestured to Lucy. "Lucy Heartfilia, attack Natsu Dragneel and don't stop until he is dead."
Lucy's eyes widened in horror. How did he know their real names? Her thoughts were interrupted by Lumont's command ringing in her head. "No way, I would never –", before Lucy could finish speaking she was already running towards Natsu. Lumont took a seat by the edge of the room and watched his twisted magic do its work.
"Lucy," Natsu said dodging her attacks "you can fight his magic. You're strong, I know you can stop it."
Lumont laughed even louder. "No one has ever broken my magic and no one ever will. Lucy won't stop until you're dead. The only way you can spare your life is by killing her."
"You're crazy." Natsu shouted. "I would never hurt Lucy." He continued to dodge her attacks.
"I thought you might say that." Lumont smiled. "Oh well, it's your funeral."
Lucy knocked Natsu to the ground, punching at him with all of her strength. "I'm so sorry Natsu, I can't stop it."
Natsu grabbed her arms. "If you can't stop it then I will." In one quick movement he pushed Lucy off of him and started sprinting towards Lumont. Just as he was two feet away from him, Lucy grabbed his scarf and yanked him back.
"Damn it Lucy I'm tryna save us here."
"I'm so sorry, I'm trying but it won't stop. I'm not in control of myself." Lucy kicked her legs across Natsu's, knocking him to the floor. She pinned him down and reached for his neck.
Natsu grabbed her arms again and looked up into her scared face. "Lucy you're stronger than this guy."
Lumont laughed. "It doesn't matter how strong she is, no one can break my magic." He pulled something from his pocket. "This fight is getting boring. Let's finish things up shall we?" He tossed a knife over to Lucy ordering her to catch it. "Now," His wicked smile revealed a set of perfect teeth, "Kill him."
Lucy plunged the knife towards Natsu's heart, but he caught her arms once again. "Listen to me Lucy. I'm gonna leave go of your arms now, you got that?"
"What? No!" she looked at him in horror.
"I know you would never hurt one of your Fairy Tail guild mates," he said, releasing her arms.
Lucy's arms were held out above Natsu's chest, with her hands clutching the knife. She willed herself not to let her arms drop. "Natsu please," she begged. Her arms started shaking. "I can't," tears started flowing from her eyes. "Natsu, please kill me before I kill you."
"Never." His face was stone cold.
Lucy's whole body was trembling now. She could feel the force of Lumont's magic and Natsu's warm body beneath hers.
"Do it!" Lumont screamed from his chair. "What are you waiting for? I order you to kill him!" He was starting to lose his cool composure.
"Natsu," she sobbed. Her arms were burning. She didn't know how much longer she could hold them there. Lumont's magic was weighing down on her with tremendous force.
"Lucy." Natsu looked into her eyes.
Lumont was clearly agitated. "What's taking you so long!? I said kill him! Now do it already!"
She threw the knife across the room. "What?!" Lumont screeched. "What are you doing?!"
She let her arms drop and then collapsed onto Natsu, still sobbing. She could feel his heart pounding from where her head rested on his chest.
"I knew you could do it." Natsu said holding her.
"Impossible! No one has ever broken my magic. It's… it's impossible." Lumont was in utter shock. His wicked smile was replaced by a vicious snarl. He pulled one of the weapons from the wall and headed toward Natsu and Lucy, his eyes burning with rage.
Natsu lifted Lucy off him gently and got up, ready for a fight at last.
"LIGHTNING FLAME DRAGON MODE!" Natsu roared, letting his body be surrounded in flames and lightening. He didn't even give Lumont a chance to attack. He smashed his fist into Lumont's face, sending him flying across the room.
Lumont got up and spat blood from his mouth. He seemed to know he was at a disadvantage. "You'll regret ever crossing paths with me." And with that, he disappeared.
Lucy sat stunned on the floor. "He has teleportation magic too?"
"I don't like that guy."
"Me… neither." She struggled to get the last word out. Black spots started to cloud her vision. She felt so weak, like her whole body had been drained of its magic.
"Alright," Natsu lifted her up into his arms. "Let's get you back home."
The last thing Lucy felt was warmth and strong, muscular arms, and then she drifted off.