*Yawn* Hey everyone. I'm tired and I hafta get up early tomorrow so ya… Have any of you heard of a chiweenie? It's a dog that's half Chihuahua and half Dachshund. It's so cute and so easy to make fun off. *evil grin* Haha. I saw it at the mall today. So how many people are happy that the Nalu arc is coming to an end? I feel like it's been going on forever. Just imagine what'll be like once we reach the HappyXCharla arc or even the LisannaXBixlow arc. I have words of advice for us all, "Hold on." Now to comment on some reviews:

Erza Scarlet Titania: Thank you so much for always reviewing my story3~~! It really means a lot to me! You think my chapters are the perfect length? Haha ok, I'll keep them the same length. Thanks for the story ideas and I've decided on "The Snow Queen." I have a friend who tells me' "I hate how you dress like a guy," although all I do is wear a jean jacket, and my mom is trying to get me in touch with my feminine side. Haha, please keep reviewing I 3 suggestions.

GoldenRoseTanya: I'm sorry, but I'm still not sure what "oooooooooh" means. Nonetheless, I'm very happy you commented twice on my story. I hope you approve of my story just as much as you approve all my couples.

DISCLAMIER: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL, HIRO MASHIMA DOES… (But I'd give anything to own Gray.) BUT LIKE I SAID, I OWN NOTHING! _CHAPTER 5: Defiance

Natsu sat staring at his nails for what seemed like an hour now. "I hope she's okay," Natsu thought, clearly thinking about Lucy. "I'll just go check on her." Then he walked to the bathroom door and unwisely opened it without knocking. Then in less than a second this happened:
"Wha- Eek! Natsu get out, out, out! Ahhh!" Then bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even a rack that held towels came his way. Natsu received the whole impact and his body skidded across the floor. The door slammed, but Natsu hardly noticed. He was thinking about something else.

"I just saw Lucy naked." After thinking about that image for a few minutes he blushed wildly and thought, "I'm resembling a pervy old man! Stop thinking about that, Natsu!" Before Natsu could think about it his fist went flying into the wall. He started chuckling. "It's funny how I destroy stuff when I want to relax or distract my mind."

Then the bathroom door opened and Lucy stood there in a maroon dress (the one she wears in the first episode) and her hair in a simple yet elegant bun. Natsu noticed that her hair wasn't a dirty blond, but instead a golden blonde. Her skin was pale, but not sickly so, and seemed smooth without all the dirt. Natsu was relieved to see her chocolate brown eyes were the same as always.

"Natsu, what are you going to do? You still look beat up and filthy." Lucy stated matter-of-factly.

Natsu's face lit up in surprised recognition. "Your right! To the bathroom, yosh!" With that Natsu raced past Lucy and into the bathroom. At that Lucy giggled. Then she walked over to the bed and gently sat onto it.

"This really is like a dream," she thought. She was clean, wearing clothes that fit her, and was in a fully furnished room with luxurious possessions. The room itself was bigger than Lucy's house. Then she remembered her mother. She swiftly got up and walked to the bathroom door and gently rapped on the door. "Natsu, are you almost ready?" she called. Then the door opened revealing a Natsu wearing a chaofu robe which had dragons embroidered all around it and right at the neckline the traditional symbol of the pair of bronze sacrificial cups were placed, meaning respect to one's parents. Lucy giggled when she saw Natsu struggling to walk in it.

"I hate clothes like these," Natsu whined. "They're too heavy and always cause me to trip."

"Then why did you put it on?" Lucy asked, trying not to burst out laughing.

"It'll get on my father's good side."

Lucy looked at Natsu's face and noticed that almost all his wounds had disappeared. "What happened? Almost all your injuries are gone!"

"That? I have an unusually quick healing process and the palace has this ointment that works awesome on cuts, bruises, lacerations, and stuff like that."

Lucy looked down at her feet. "Of course," she thought, "the palace has everything."

Natsu noticed the look on Lucy's face. For some reason it made him feel really downcast. He wanted to see her beam with happiness, not this. He was determined to make her do so. "C'mon, Lucy, let's talk with my father now. I'll be sure to convince him to give you some medicine, and I'll also convince him to stop the drought."

Lucy slowly rose her head up. "…Okay. I believe you will keep that promise."

Natsu flashed his signature grin. "Then let's go, Luce!" As they started forward Lucy nearly fainted. Natsu caught her in his arms. "Oi, Luce, what's wrong!?" Natsu asked worriedly. Lucy looked ailed.

"Ergh…that's right. I…haven't eaten anything in… over two weeks because of my mom and how desperate I was to get here in time. Pretty stupid of me, huh?" Lucy was slowly losing consciousness. Natsu bit his lip and carefully brought her to his bed. Then he took off away from the bed at full speed. He shouted over his shoulder, "Hang on, Lucy! I'm gonna bring some food!"

Lucy heard him and tried to stay awake, but the darkness was inviting her.

Natsu made it to the kitchen and grabbed a huge jade tray and started piling it with food. All the servants looked at him warily.

"Prince Natsu, sir, we can make food for you, Also, pardon me for asking, but where have you been ever since your room caught on fire?"

"Doesn't matter. Do you guys have any fresh meat ready right now?"

"Y-yes, Prince, we have some arroz con pollo over there," a cook pointed with a shaky finger.

Natsu proceeded with putting that on the tray along with two bowls of fruit, a huge bowl of salad, a bowl of rice, and three glasses of water.

"See ya," Natsu shouted running back into the hallways. Natsu nearly dropped the tray when he entered his room and saw that Lucy was unconscious. He ran over and knelt next to her on the bed and started shaking her shoulders frantically. Her head just tilted back. Natsu started looking around the room, in hopes of finding something that would help her. Then Natsu remembered something.

When he was just about bleeding to death Lucy gave him all the water she had. So Natsu decided to do the same. He took one of the glasses and forcefully poured it into Lucy's mouth. He stared at her expectantly. She shot up into a sitting position and started coughing violently.

"*cough**cough* Na-*cough*tsu…"

"You're okay!" he proclaimed ecstatically.

"Almost choking to death isn't okay!" She retorted once she recovered. "And what did you pour down my throat?"

"Luce… I told you not to fall asleep, but you did! I tried shaking you awake, but you didn't wake up… That was the last thing I could think of!" Natsu pouted with clear evidence of desperation in his voice, "And it was water."

Lucy was shocked at the desperation in his voice. Then what he just said sunk in, "That's right. You have as much as you want." Multiple scents wafted into Lucy's nose. She looked to her left. "So-so much food…" she muttered.

"It's all yours, Luce," Natsu told her.

"Natsu!" Lucy lunged forward and yanked Natsu into another one of her hugs. Natsu never minded when she did that though, he actually enjoyed those moments. Then she let go and out of all the food available started eating the strawberries first.

"Why strawberries?" Natsu blurted. Lucy looked at him and laughed.

"They were my favorite type of fruit before the famine, and they still are." Then she continued to eat the arroz con pollo which she almost spit out. Her excuse was that its flavor was too rich. She then drank both glasses of water.

Once she finished she took a deep breath and said, "Alright, Natsu, let's go."

Lucy could feel her heart beating as she walked down a long jade passageway. She wondered if Natsu was as nervous as she was. Lucy glanced at Natsu and he had a blank expression on his face, but Lucy noticed the slight clench of his jaw. "So he's just wearing a calm and uncaring façade. That actually makes me feel better," she reasoned.

Natsu felt like he was going to detonate. He never faced his father like this before. The Jade Emperor always called him. Now he was facing him without him getting any notice of it. Natsu couldn't deny that Lucy's presence steadied him. To think he would have never had met her if he didn't break out and get tortured. "Lucy was worth it," Natsu sighed.

"Something wrong, Natsu?" Lucy looked up at him.

"Nothing! Ahahahaha! Nothing at all!" Natsu started laughing. Lucy sweat dropped.

"You're a terrible liar. That's way too suspicious," Lucy thought.

They reached the extensive jade doors. It was engraved with multiple images of cranes surrounded by thistle.

"Why cranes and thistles of all things," Natsu asked skeptically.

"Cranes are the symbol of independence and solitude while in the Celtic language of flowers thistle is the symbol of nobility."

"Wow. Lucy, why are you so smart? Do you eat books or something? You are what you eat!"

Lucy blanched. "I don't eat books! And I wouldn't eat them even if I had to! They're so precious!"

After a few moments they both started laughing. "Well it's now or never," Natsu cracked his knuckles. Lucy gave a determined head nod. Natsu slammed into the heavy doors. They opened.

This was the first time Natsu had ever seen an expression besides pleasure on his father's face. The Jade Emperor had a mask of anger and slight surprise on his face. "Leave," he ordered his servants. They quickly scurried away. "Natsu, why have you come here, and especially with… that."

Lucy looked down and Natsu felt his emotions flare. He was about to punch his father, but Lucy laid her hand on his shoulder before he could take another step forward and whispered, "Natsu…" Natsu lowered his fist and took a deep breath.

"Father, we need to talk."

"Natsu, why have you disrupted me and why are you with trash with that? I am pleased with your appearance, though." The Jade Emperor commented.

Natsu scowled, but he wore these robes for that reason. "I want medicine."

"Now why would you want that? You have that ointment for scrapes and cuts."

"For curing internal sickness that makes you physically weak," was all Natsu said.

"Why would you need that?"

"Lucy's mother needs it. Her mother is one of your loyal subjects, you know."

"Lucy? You mean that useless thing next to you?"

Natsu was about to defend Lucy when his mother glided in and said, "Your father is correct, Natsu. She was just toying with you. An inferior peasant vixen like herself would of course know all the tricks on how to get close. Sadly, you were just too dense to notice. Rest assured, my prince, we will eliminate of this wrench right now. Guards, if you please." Guards quickly filled the room. "Natsu, come to me," his mother cooed.

Natsu didn't know if he walked or was pushed by the guards, but he somehow ended up by his mother's side. "Guards, kill her," the Jade Emperor commanded. Soon Lucy was being held in place by two guards and was forced to her knees. A higher commanding guard walk up and was about to swing his battle axe when Lucy breathed-

"Don't worry about it, Natsu. I knew this would probably be the outcome if I came. I'm just glad you're the prince. That way you don't have to worry about this." She gave a pained, but obviously happy smile.

Natsu could not believe that Lucy didn't blame him or make any excuses for the chance to live. Instead she willingly accepted death and smiled at him, and it was one of the happiest smiles she's ever given. The smile of someone who was glad to be with their nakama until the very end. The axe started to swing down towards Lucy's neck.

"LUUUUCCYY!" Natsu roared as he broke off from his mother and dashed towards Lucy. When he saw he wouldn't make it by running, Natsu jumped and captured her in his arms. They skidded across the floor together.

"Thank you, Natsu. For keeping your promise of keeping me save." Lucy whispered with her voice filled with emotion.

"I would always save you, Luce." Natsu blushed. He then helped Lucy get on her feet and declared to his parents, "I will stand by Lucy, wherever and whenever! If you can't just give us the medicine, then make it rain! Stop the drought and save all your people!"

"You sound like those foolish dragons of the ocean! They came here begging for rain, and yet they were so gullible! I told them I would send rain a week ago! I would never do something so pointless!" The Jade Emperor was starting to lose his temper.

"H-he didn't lie? He really did try?" Lucy started shaking.

"What are you talking about, Luce?" Natsu inquired.

"The Fire Dragon from the ocean, Igneel, promised me he would get it to rain when I left from home to come here. I-I thought he was deluding me after two days." Lucy was crying now.

"Igneel?! He would never lie!" Natsu espoused for his favorite dragon. A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes as he faced his father. "First you lie to the dragons, including Igneel, then you try and kill Lucy, my nakama, and now you reject sending much needed rain to your suffering people? You selfish bas-"

A familiar, but nearly forgotten sound echoed from outside.

"It can't be…" Lucy said to herself, her eyes distant in memories.

"H-how?! Impossible!" the Jade Emperor bellowed. Then he started to rush to the entrance of the Jade Palace. Everyone followed after him. Outside it seemed like magic was happening. "Rain," both Lucy and Natsu murmured at the same time. The Four Dragons smiled down at them.

"Igneel!" Natsu shouted with a childish joy. Igneel chuckled.

"Hello, Natsu, how's life been to you so far?"

"A bit challenging, but totally worth it," Natsu said, pulling Lucy close. Igneel's eyes dilated in recognition at the blond girl. He smiled. The touching moment was disrupted by the Jade Emperor.

"How dare you make it rain!"

"You made a promise you backed out on. We simply took matters into our hands," Igneel responded cooly. It was obvious that Natsu's father was shaken by these words.

"You will not get away from this not chastened," he muttered bitterly. By looking into Igneel's and all the other dragons' eyes that they were prepared for this.

"Natsu, you have to do something about this," Lucy whispered gravely.

"No, they will not be punished! I will not allow it!" Natsu decreed. His father smirked evilly.

"You, my son, have no saying in this matter." Looking toward the heavens the enraged Jade Emperor called out, "Leading generals of the Heavenly troops, arrest those traitors!" Seeing that they were outnumbered the Four Dragons fled. Lucy and Natsu felt frozen to their spots.

After being captured and brought back to the palace. The Jade Emperor commanded the Mountain God, Capricorn, to come and kneel before his presence. Then he ordered Capricorn to make mountains fly from afar and press down on Igneel, Metallica, Grandine, and Acnologia, imprisoning them forever. Watching this Natsu started crying.

When Lucy convinced him to raise his head she showed him the miracle they performed. Grain had sprung out of the ground and people were cheering with joy. Natsu turned to the celestial beings and gods of the Earth and asked them one question-

"Why do you serve under a man who wishes to neglect the needs of his people so they can't experience the hope and happiness that have right now? Is the fear of his power greater than the love of all these people?"

"My power is something to be feared," the Jade Emperor said darkly.

"…No, it isn't. The emotions of love grants more power than one can comprehend. It enables someone to do the impossible. That is how the Four Dragons were able to make it rain again. They were able to make it rain hope." All the other gods and celestial beings agreed with Capricorn.

For once in his life the Jade Emperor was experiencing fear. As a last line of redemption and to regain control he said this, "If I disappear, then who will rule?! There is nobody eligible!" To his surprise Capricorn chuckled.

"You're giving your son too little credit. He knows love. That is what will make him a fine ruler." Everyone was in shock. Then Lucy smiled and said-

"I agree."

With that the Jade Emperor was stripped of his title and banished along with his wife, neither of them allowed to bring any possessions besides simple commoner clothes. With them Natsu turned to Capricorn, "Can you release Igneel and the others now?"

Capricorn sighed at his hopeful face. "I cannot. The amount of effort I put into it made the bindings permanent. I am sorry." Natsu was about to cry in despair once again when Lucy rested one of her hands on his shoulder and pointed towards the mountains.

"Look," she said.

Rivers were flowing past the high mountains and through multiple types of terrain back into the ocean.

"The dragons are going home, and they're determined to still do good for the people. That shows they did not regret their decision."

Natsu nodded in agreement, speechless. Lucy's words filled him with solace and felicity. With her by his side he knew everything was going to turn out okay.

"That's right Lucy, we still need to deliver that medicine to your mother," Natsu reminded her cheerfully.

"Allow me to give you a ride in my chariot. It would be the least I could do," one of the Heavenly generals offered.

"Really? That would be awesome!" Natsu responded.

TEN MINUTES LATER:

"This… urp… is not awesome," Natsu moaned with his head on Lucy's lap, with him being overcome with motion sickness and all. All Lucy could do was give a reassuring grin and hold his hand.

They quickly got to Lucy's house and Natsu was overjoyed to get off the chariot. Lucy was so happy she would finally be able to help her mother. She slammed open the front door and yelled, "Mom, I'm home!" Then looking inside she instantly collapsed onto her knees and and started sobbing. She also dropped the glass bottle containing the medicine and it shattered into a hundred pieces. Lucy could tell. She could tell that Layla Heartfillia was dead.

They buried Layla Heartfillia at the base of the Fire Dragon's Mountain next to Igneel's River. Lucy's father attented, but they didn't attempt to speak to each other. Natsu had never seen Lucy cry so much as she had on that day. What made it worse was that he had no idea how to comfort her so he just held her close. That was all the comfort Lucy needed.

TWO WEEKS LATER:

It was the day of Natsu's coronation, but it was also the date of another special event. White fabric was everywhere, along with a few streaks of red. Both of them thought it was going to be perfect. When she was ready she went to the designated place. He was waiting for her. They stood side by side as the traditional words were spoken. They answered their questions truthfully and then they finally heard the words they were waiting for-

"You may kiss the bride." Natsu gave Lucy a passionate kiss and Lucy returned it. The guests cheered. They all shouted, "All hail Emperor Natsu and Empress Lucy!"

"Lucy?" Natsu started.

"Yes, Natsu?"

"Thank you. For always standing beside me."

Lucy grinned. "I should be the one saying that. After all, you were the one that promised me."

Natsu pulled Lucy close. "And I will always keep my promises. Especially the ones I make to you"

AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER 3~~

"Ergh…!" Purehito growled before taking a deep breath, "No matter. That was only one pair of the annoying fairy brats. There are still many more waiting to meet their doom." Smoke started swirling in his lacrima sphere clearing to show yet another fairy tale.

And that is how the NaLu arc ends. How was it, too sappy? Now it is on to the next couple Jerza! (Crime Sorciere snuck in). I'd like to make clear that people in the fairy tales can also come from the main characters' memories, but the actual couple had to be touching the lacrima for them to be placed in the same fairy tale so that they could fall in love. Also, although the fairy tales might take the time span of a couple years in the story, it's only going to be about 5 minutes in the real Magnolia world… Was I the only one that hoped Ul had come back to a physical form when the roses came out of the ground in this week's Fairy Tail chapter? I really want her to come back, Also, I don't mean to sound greedy and I hate when other fanfic authors do this, but please review because I'm starting to lose my motivation about this story.