There was literally 30 seconds between this author note and the one on the end of my last chapter, so I'm on a roll here. I won't say too much right now, but I hope you enjoy! Fight scene!

Natsu moved quickly, grabbing Lucy before she could hit the floor. She was squirming and crying, but obviously not conscious. Levy was freaking out, screaming for more help. Wendy had her hands on Lucy's head, trying desperately to magically fix Lucy's sudden collapse. Everything was happening far, far too fast.

"Natsu, I'm going to knock her out so she stops thrashing. Make sure you've got a tight grip on her."

"I got it."

Wendy hit some pressure points in Lucy's neck, instantly quieting her. Natsu scooped her up into his arms, trying desperately not to panic. The past-Natsu would have, but now he needed to keep it together. The witch must be making her move soon if Lucy was incapacitated. Natsu set Lucy down in one of the infirmary beds upstairs, the only quiet place in the guild. He stroked her hair, held her hand. He hated seeing her hurt. Just a little bit ago, they had their first kiss, and now she was injured.

"Natsu, are you alright?"

At some point, Erza had come up the stairs so quietly his ears had missed her. That or he was distracted. It was probably the latter.

"I'm fine, Erza. Just tired, you know? I'm ready for all of this to be over."

"I understand. I never did get to tell you thanks. For bringing Lucy back, that is. You were an idiot for not returning to Fairy Tail after you were cursed, but that was a mistake anyone could make. You were the only person that could have brought Lucy back though. She was all but dead to us."

Natsu sat in silence, deciding not to read into Erza's appreciation. He didn't feel he deserved it, nor did he want it. He wanted this witch dead.

"Erza, can you get a bunch of people together to help me draw out this witch? I'm going to burn her to a crisp, and enjoy it immensely."

For a moment, Erza could almost see the flames erupting around him in his fury, a light in his eyes she had missed for so many years. She knew that Natsu would avenge the years that had been taken from Lucy and him, no question about it.

"Go outside and vent, Natsu. I will gather the fighters."

Without another word, he leapt out the nearby window. Erza picked up Lucy's limp hand and clutched it. Her teammate, her best friend, her sister had to survive this. Leaving the infirmary, she was not surprised to find half the guild standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Who will fight with us?"

The hands that were raised were ones she expected: Levy, Gajeel, Gray, Juvia, Wendy, Romeo, Jellal, Warren, Lisanna, Mira, Elfman, and Master. The others not raising their hands were either researching or holding down the fort.

"Let's go witch-hunting then."

Four hours later, there was no sign of the witch, not even a flicker of magical energy. Natsu hadn't shown up either, much to Erza's concern. He was probably out hunting on his own, but it was still odd. Something about this whole set up was odd. She re-quipped stronger armor and faced the group.

"I want you to split up. Somehow we need to draw her out, but obviously this is not working. Gray, Gajeel, Juvia, Wendy, I want you four to go find Natsu. He needs to be put back on track."

The group split, and Erza followed the three finding Natsu. A huge explosion rocked the forest not far away, which sounded like one of Natsu's roars. All five took off for the forest, hoping they wouldn't get there too late.

Natsu was pissed. Even the witch was nervous when she dispelled his fire; it got closer every time.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR RUINING HER LIFE! FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!"

The fire had destroyed a giant circle around the witch, and this blast actually singed her. For some reason, her shadow magic was not working against his fire. What kind of monster was this boy?! She mustered up a consuming spell, praying it would catch. He fired off at her again, and she cast her magic. Natsu felt his throat constricting; the stupid witch had managed to hit him. He tired burning it off, but nothing was working.

"You're going to die here, Natsu Dragneel. I'll give your love to Lucy before I drain her magic."

"He can give me his love himself. The only one going to die here is you."

Natsu panted, finally able to pick up Lucy's scent. Rolling on his side, he could see her crawling into the clearing, blood dripping from her mouth and ears. He knew she was dying; he could smell it. She raised her starry arm, light beginning to pour from it.

"Survey the Heaven, Open the Heaven...
All the stars, far and wide...
Show me thy appearance...
With such shine.
O Tetrabiblos...
I am the ruler of the stars...
Aspect became complete...
Open thy malevolent gate.
O 88 Stars of the heaven...
Shine!
Urano Metria!"

Light filled the clearing, tearing at the shadow and ripping up more trees. Natsu felt a warm body on top of his right before he blacked out.

Erza entered the clearing, eyes wide at the destruction around her. Natsu had obviously been fighting here, as was evident by the scorch marks on the ground. The witch had died, all shadow stripped from her and only ash remaining of her body. What scared Erza the most was the motionless forms of Lucy and Natsu on the ground.

"WENDY!"

Wendy ran into the clearing, a little out of breath. She ran to Natsu and Lucy, a hand on each of them. Lucy was on top of Natsu in a protective position; therefore, she had taken the brunt of her own magic. Her back was burned and cracked, blood oozing from every inch. Natsu wasn't so badly injured but if he had taken Lucy's magic, his heart might have been pierced.

"Erza, NATSU'S NOT BREATHING!"

Gray and Erza ran over, Gray lifting Lucy off of Natsu and placing her on her face next to him. Erza pounded his chest while Wendy doubled her healing magic, both desperate.

"Watch out, guys. I'll get him moving again. He's not going to die while I still live."

Lucy had woken, sitting up with the remains of her shirt held to her chest. The back of it had been destroyed. She touched a star on her arm, red magic wrapping around her hand. She rubbed the magic over her lips, and much to the others' embarrassment, she kissed Natsu. Almost instantly, he took a shuddering breath, eyes flying open and shooting up. Lucy rested her head on his chest, silently thankful that he magic had actually worked.

"Lucy?!"

Natsu pulled her up so she could rest her head on his shoulder. She instantly fell asleep, and Wendy continued to heal her. Natsu observed, mindful of the damage she had received.

"She took her own spell for me, didn't she?"

Erza nodded solemnly, wondering if maybe now everything could go back to some semblance of normal. Natsu smiled gently, stroking Lucy's hair and holding her hand.

"I love this girl, Erza."

Well, I thought about continuing that, but I didn't want to deal with another small timeskip after that really cute line. I kinda wish I could actually hear Natsu say that . . . oh well, I can dream hahaha. Thanks for reading, and I'm thinking like 2 more chapters. I know I've said that before, but I'm a bloody liar, okay? XD