Natsu and Lucy snuck out of the mansion, out the back wall and into the city to spend the rest of the whole day together. A little dining, a little dancing, a little merry music… it was all he needed to get his mind off things. His father's advice took a terrible toll last night; the Fire Dragon Slayer proved time and time again that he's the best hero anyone could ask for, and going through danger and back… and now his chances to return home to Mount Olympus were dashed. Natsu felt his heart lament, but by the second Lucy came, he began to ferment his grief into happiness. Thanks to Lucy, the conversation at the temple was complete behind him.
The two walked down the stairs to a majestic courtyard, illuminated by the clear moonlight. Natsu laughed, "Wow, what a day! First that restaurant by the bay…"
Lucy nodded, "Uh-huh."
"…and then that play at the Scheherazade Theater, that… Francesca thing?" Natsu noted. "Man, and I thought I had problems!"
"I know!" Lucy giggled.
The two continued laughing, until they stopped and looked at each other with admiring smiles. It would appear that they're in some sort of a trance they would never get out of.
"Lucy!" a voice hissed, interrupting the moment. Lucy turned to see two little birds sitting on a birdbath, whose heads popped into Kain Hikaru and Rustyrose's. Rustyrose snapped, "Stop fooling around!"
Kain whispered, "Yeah! Get the goods, sister!"
When Natsu turned, the two minions turned back into birds, whistling innocently. That was the one thing she hated about her job; being reminded of her objective, especially since she's having so much fun.
Natsu grinned, "I didn't know taking a day off could be so much fun."
"Yeah. Neither did I," Lucy admitted. She found her chance to expose Natsu's weakness. She never wanted to hurt him, but if that's what it took to finish her service with Mard Geer Tartaros…
Natsu chuckled, "Thanks, Lucy."
"Oh, don't thank me just yet," Lucy blushed, a hint of strange feelings overcoming her. If Natsu knew of her true colors, she wouldn't be thankful at all. Her exertion led her to trip and fall off the stairs, but Natsu caught her in his arms.
"Oops," Natsu chuckled. "Careful."
"Sorry, weak ankles," Lucy said sheepishly.
"Really?" Natsu asked. "Then you'd better sit down." He picked her up, carried her over to a bench, put her down, and sat beside her. Lucy's blush intensified; her emotions blazed in her out of all control. She was determined more than ever to win her freedom, and yet…
"So, uh… do you have any problems with things like this?" Lucy asked, stretching out her leg and holding her foot right in front of Natsu's face.
"Uh…" Natsu tried to answer.
"Weak ankles, I mean," Lucy corrected.
"Oh. Uh, no. Not really," Natsu placed her leg down.
"No weaknesses whatsoever? No trick knee?" Lucy inched closer to Natsu's body with a sly smile. "No ruptured disks?"
Natsu blushed at Lucy's perkiness. He stood up and replied, "No, I'm not. I'm fit as a fiddle."
Lucy admired with a sigh, "Wow, Natsu. You're perfect as they say."
"Thanks. Much appreciated," Natsu complimented. He picked up a pebble and skipped it over the fountain, only for the pebble to knock into the statue of Aquarius in the middle. The impact knocked the statue's arms off, breaking them. "Whoops!"
Lucy came over to join him, "It looks better that way. I mean, it really does. I never liked Aquarius, anyway. She's very scary and sarcastic."
Natsu and Lucy looked at each other again and smiled, and then came the blush. A shooting star blazed across the night sky, as if signaling the birth of something wonderful since the two enjoyed each other's company.
Natsu broke the ice, "You know, when I was a kid, I would've given anything to be exactly like everybody else."
"You wanted to be petty and dishonest?" Lucy looked away, her smile turned into a frown. She felt guilty for wanting to spend time with Natsu in the first place. Her dishonesty won her over.
"Everybody's not like that," Natsu argued.
"Yes, they are," Lucy countered.
"You're not like that," Natsu smiled warmly.
"How do you know what I'm like?" Lucy was doubtful of his words.
Natsu replied, "All I know is that you're the most amazing person with weak ankles I've ever met."
That compliment sounded so cute when the blonde-haired girl heard it. Backing away with a bashful smile, she yelped when her back was poked by an arrow of a small statue of Mavis, the Goddess of Love and Kindness.
"Lucy, whenever I'm with you, I don't feel so…" Natsu took a deep breath, before he finished, "…alone."
"Sometimes it's better to be alone," Lucy confessed, looking down.
"What do you mean?" Natsu asked.
"Nobody can hurt you," Lucy answered.
Natsu was surprised. It sounded like Lucy had a troublesome past that took a wrong turn, and the more she remembered, the more pain she felt. He knew how she felt, since he himself felt emotional pain in the past. Well, perhaps it was time to assure Lucy that he can change things for the better.
"Lucy?" Natsu sat down next to her and took her hands, his eyes burning with strong sincerity. "I would, never, ever, ever… hurt you."
"And I don't wanna hurt you," Lucy whispered, placing a hand on Natsu's. The two gazed at each other, this time leaning closer. "So, let's both do ourselves a favor and…" He didn't seem to listen. Then again, even Lucy wasn't listening to herself. "…stop this… before… we…"
The lips inched closer, each eagerly awaiting the other's touch. And then…
…a bright light exploded, startling the two. They looked up to see a scowling Yajima flown by Happy. A pith helmet shone a searchlight on Natsu and Lucy, his wings impersonating the propeller of a helicopter, while Yajima held a megaphone over his mouth.
"Alright, break it up! Break it up! Party's over!" Yajima shouted, his voice speaking through the megaphone.
"You see, Yaj? I told you I'd find him!" Happy cried.
"Where were you, Natsu?!" Yajima snapped at Natsu. "We've been looking all over for you!"
"Calm down, old geezer!" Lucy shouted in annoyance. "I brought him out here, so it's all my fault!"
"I'm already a thousand times upset, lady, so don't make it worse!" Yajima yelled at her face. Scoffing, the blonde-haired girl reached Happy's pith helmet and turned the searchlight off.
"How's your date, Natsu?" Happy asked with a sly grin. "You two were having so much fun."
"Without letting me know about it!" Yajima countered angrily. "Do you know how many planned events I had to cancel when he's gone?!"
Natsu chuckled blushingly, "Well, I…."
Happy pouted, "Awww, c'mon! Natsu's just having fun! Get a grip!"
"Skipping out on me was his idea of fun?! All the more reason why he needs to focus!" Yajima bellowed. He turned to Natsu and grabbed his sweater, "And as for you, you slacker… I'm giving you a proper punishment for neglecting your duties! You're going to Domus Flau, and you're going to be put through the workout of your life!" He pointed at Happy, "Now get on the cat!"
"Okay, okay, I'm going," Natsu groaned. "So much for a day off…"
"I'm sorry for the trouble, Natsu," Lucy apologized.
"Ah, he'll get over it," Natsu pouted. He picked a flower from a nearby bush and gave it to Lucy, who accepted it. She then blushed when the Fire Dragon Slayer kissed her cheek.
"MOVE!" Yajima screamed impatiently. "Move, move, move, move, move, move! MOVE!"
Smiling goofily, Natsu moved backwards, waving goodbye to Lucy. Happy grabbed Natsu's back, with Natsu grabbing Yajima's body, and the Exceed flew the two away. The salmon-haired boy's gaze never wavered, and his smile never faded.
Happy wasn't watching where he was going, due to the fact that he smiled admirably of the blossoming relationship between Natsu and Lucy. This caused Yajima to dodge a few branches along the way. He shouted, "Hey, watch it! Watch it! Whoa! Watch it!" He grabbed Happy's head and spun it around, "Keep your goo-goo eyes on the—"
BAM! A branch hit Yajima's head hard, falling off Natsu's grip and into a rock under the bushes. He groaned, "That's the problem with the young generation. Why can't they watch where they're go…" He then fainted unconsciously.
Lucy sat on the edge of the fountain and stared at the flower the salmon-haired boy gave her. She felt a warm feeling of comfort and joy inside, something she hadn't felt in many years. Lucy then paused, realizing what she was doing. She sighed, "Oh, what's the matter with me? You'd think a girl would learn…" She stood up and began to sing.
Lucy: If there's a prize for rotten judgment
I guess I've already won that
She spun away the miniature statue of Mavis.
No man is worth the aggravation
When Lucy passed by a few statues, they came to life, revealing themselves to be the Muses.
That's ancient history— been there, done that!
Lucy threw away the flower, but Brandish caught it.
Muses: Who d'ya think you're kiddin'?
He's the Earth and Heaven to you
Try to keep it hidden
Honey, we can see right through you
Lucy: Oh, no…
Muses: Girl, you can't conceal it
We know how you feel
And who you're thinkin' of
Lucy: Oh, no
No chance, no way,
I won't say it, no, no
Muses: You swoon, you sigh
Why deny it, uh-oh?
Lucy: It's too cliché
I won't say I'm in love
Muses: Shoo-doo, shoo-doo, oo-oo-oo
Lucy: I thought my heart had learned its lesson
It feels so good when you start out
Muses: Ahhh...
Lucy: My head is screamin', get a grip, girl
Unless you're dyin' to cry your heart
Oh…
Muses: You keep on denyin'
Who you are and how you're feelin'
Baby, we're not buyin'
Hon, we saw you hit the ceilin'
Lucy: Oh, no…
Muses: Face it like a grownup
When you gonna own up that you got, got, got it bad
Lucy, doing her best to ignore the Muses' advice, jumped from rock to rock across the fountain.
Lucy: Oh, no
No chance, no way,
I won't say it, no, no
Muses: Give up, but give in
Check the grin, you're in love
Lucy was about to fall down, but she grabbed on something. She looked up with a warm smile. For a moment, she thought Natsu came back, but to her disappointment, it was actually a statue of him.
Lucy: This scene won't play
I won't say I'm in love
Muses: You're doin' flips,
Read our lips, you're in love
Lucy: You're way off base, I won't say it (Muses: Shoo-doo, shoo-doo, she won't say in love)
Get off my case, I won't say it
Muses: Girl, don't be proud
It's okay, you're in love
Lucy sat down on the fountain, looking at the flower. She then put it in her ear. It looked... lovely.
Lucy: Oh…
At least at loud,
I won't say I'm in…
…love…
Muses: Shoo-doo, shoo-doo, shoo-doo, shoo-doo
Sha-la-la-la-la-la…
Aaahh
Lucy lied down on the fountain with a happy sigh, and the Muses sighed in admiration of the blonde-haired girl's feelings. She hated to admit it, but she accepted one fact.
She was in love with Natsu.
But then, a statue at the middle of the fountain turned red and melted into lava. The sudden noise woke Lucy from her daydream and compelled her to sit up. Emerging from the smelted remains of the statue was Mard Geer Tartaros with a glass of wine in his hand.
"Hello, Lucifer, I came to check in on you," Mard greeted, drinking his glass. "Have you discovered the weak link in the Fire Dragon Slayer's chain?"
Lucy replied, "Well, I did get something."
Mard beamed with hope, "Really? What is it?"
"My resignation!" Lucy answered with a defiant shout. Mard was surprised by the tone of her voice. "I won't do any more dirty jobs, appearances, spying on people, and butting myself into other people's businesses ever again! I quit."
"Wait, I'm sorry. Do you mind running that by me again?" Mard asked incredulously, rubbing his ear. "I must've gotten a chuck of brimstone wedged in my ear or something…"
"Okay, I'll make this loud and clear," Lucy clarified angrily. "Get yourself another lackey to do your dirty work. I quit!"
"You can't quit," Mard glared at Lucy's defiance.
"Sure I can. Read my lips," Lucy motioned Mard to look at her face, before she screamed even louder than before, "I QUIT!"
"Lucy, Lucy, Lucy…" Surprisingly, Mard's smile was now exaggerated to nearly comical proportions. He walked up to her with a cruel chuckle, "My sweet, deluded little minion. Aren't we forgetting one teensy-weensy but ever so crucial little tiny detail?" Then, the smile disappeared, and he exploded in a massive dark aura, nearly scaring the wits out of Lucy. "I OWN YOU!"
In the bushes nearby, Yajima groaned and regained consciousness. Rubbing his head, he mumbled, "Ugh, my head hurts."
"You work for me!" Mard's voice snapped.
Yajima muttered, "That kid's gonna be doing laps for a month."
Before he could leave, he overheard a familiar voice. He turned and saw, to his surprise, that Lucy was talking with Mard Geer Tartaros. Remembering his studies on Earth-land mythology, Yajima recognized Mard as Igneel's brother, Lord of the Dead, and ruler of the Underworld. But what's even more shocking was that Lucy was with him.
"If I wanted you to sing, you simply say, 'name that tune,'" Mard reprimanded Lucy, unaware that Yajima was watching them. "And if I wanted Natsu's head on a platter, what would you say?"
"Medium or well done?" Lucy rolled her eyes.
Yajima gasped in realization. Everything completely made sense; from Lucy's appearance since her rescue from the centaurs, to the other Underworld demons that attacked Fiore. Mard Geer was the one behind everything, and Lucy was his accomplice! Yajima whispered to himself, "I knew that girl was nothing but trouble. This is gonna break Natsu's heart."
He then left for Domus Flau, desperate to warn Natsu of the impending chaos.
"Did you hear that sound, Lucy? It's the sound of your freedom, fluttering out the window forever," Mard grinned, creating a flock of shadowy birds that fluttered around Lucy.
"I don't care!" Lucy snapped, shooing away the shadowy birds with her hands. "I'm not gonna help you hurt him."
Mard was amused of the blonde-haired girl's comment. If what he suspected proved true, then he could use that to his advantage. He spoke up, pretending that he was annoyed, "Lucy, I don't understand you. You've sworn off man-handling, and all of a sudden, you're worried for some… guy?"
Lucy protested, "This one is different. He's honest, he's kind, and he's sweet…"
Mard scoffed, "Oh, please."
Lucy added, "He would never do anything to hurt me."
Mard argued, "He's a guy!"
"Besides, Your Mard Gearness…" Lucy continued, and her lips curled into a confident, proud smirk. "You can't beat him. He has no weaknesses. He's gonna—"
Before Lucy could finish, Mard towered over her. With a smirk much more sinister than Lucy's own, he replied, "I think he does, Lucy." Grabbing the blonde-haired girl's body, he took Natsu's flower in his hand. "I truly think he does."
Within seconds, the flower was reduced to ashes, and Lucy gulped nervously. The Lord of the Dead had something big in store for her!