Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, nor anything else associated with Fairy Tail. I only own the plot of the following story and my OCs who help move the story along. (Of course, some of the ideas for my OCs come from research on certain things.)

Author's Note: Alright guys! A new chapter! This chapter definitely threw me for a loop. I kept debating on whether I wanted to use the spell here or in a future chapter. (You'll know which one once you read it.) I decided to leave it here. I will be taking some creative liberties with spells and such in the future. Of course, some ideas are not my own. If they belong to anyone besides Mashima Hiro, they'll receive credit once I get their approval to use it. I'm not sure when I'll post next as I start summer classes next Monday. Don't worry, there will be NaLu moments to come. I'm setting this up so that there will be. I'm also debating on having some Gruvia and GaLe moments. Let me know if you think you'd like to see a bit of those pairings, although this will mostly be a NaLu fanfic. That's what it's been turning into as I've been writing more and more of it. Well, I hope you like this chapter. Please leave comments. They're always welcome. And let me know if you think I should add in a bit of the other pairings. Enjoy! ^_^

Chapter 3

"No," she begged him. "Pl-please. A-anything b-but that." Her voice barely above a whisper as the man approached her unconscious partner lying on the floor. "Please. Take me instead."

The man whipped around, the hem of his black trench coat streaking around his legs to catch up. "You want me," he chuckled, "to take you instead of your friend here? Really? Now why on earth would I do that? I have no use for you, nor for your magic. Your friend on the other hand…" He looked at the heap of the rose-haired mage. The useful, yet arrogant, brat could be of some use to him. "Now, he has some potential for causing havoc and destruction."

This mission had gone wrong. The man was supposed to be easy to defeat, according to Natsu. Even the townspeople had thought that Lucy along with the Salamander would be enough. No one thought that Natsu would have been defeated, especially Lucy. He had worn the man down. Blood could be seen staining the pale blue shirt the man wore under cuts from the blast of the wall. Bruises dotted his arms where the sleeves of his trench coat had been ripped to shreds.

But then, the man had begun to act as if Natsu was simple a puppet, tossing him around as if he had strings attached to his arms and legs. Natsu had fought back vigilantly, and a bit violent per usual, until he had exhausted most of his magical energy. He had been able to put on an extravagant fight until he was cast into a brick wall, hitting his head in the process. The fight had started around midday, and now, as Natsu lay crumpled against the base of a wall, a blood red sunset painted the sky.

Lucy struggled to her feet, her clothes tattered like Natsu's. She couldn't let him take Natsu. She just couldn't, not after what he had done to her flaming partner. Natsu had given it his all, while this man just snuffed the flames right out of him. She staggered to the side before catching her balance. "I won't let you take him. As he would say, I'm all fired up." Lucy held her keys out. "Gate of the twins, I open thee. Gemini!"

Two blue alien-like creatures appeared in a puff of white smoke, before transforming into their master. They donned a towel as they had not replicated her since before the Grand Magic Games. Lucy ran to them, standing next to them. Gemini Lucy and Lucy joined their hands. "Survey the Heavens, Open the Heavens…" They began to say.

The man chuckled some more. "Have you not realize it by now? I cannot be stopped."

Lucy didn't care. She was going to try her hardest to save the person who was constantly saving her. "All the stars, far and wide, show me thy appearance with such shine. O Tetrabiblos…"

The man took a step towards her, his hand reaching out towards her. He had used most of his magical energy against the Salamander. The girl appeared weak to him. He suddenly stopped, orbs of light gathered about him.

Lucy closed her eyes. "I am the ruler of the stars. Aspect became complete. Open they malevolent gate. O 88 Stars of the Heaven…" It was now or never. Both she and Gemini's eyes flashed opened glimmering with a golden magic circle. " Shine! Urano Metria!"

The orbs of light converged around him. The stars shone brighter than the setting sun.

Lucy sank to the ground, hoping Happy had reached the other by now. She had done all she could in her power to prevent the man standing in front of her from taking Natsu away from her and Fairy Tail. She had used all her magical energy that as soon as Urano Metria had been completed, Gemini had vanished without a trace. With what little energy she had left, Lucy crawled over to Natsu. She lay her head on top of his chest, making sure she heard his heart beating.

As Natsu began to stir, the man, having been smashed into the ground by Lucy, stood slowly, his closed torn. "You…" He glared at Lucy warily. "Maybe you could also be of some use after all too." He fell forwards, landing flat on his face.

"Nnnn…" Natsu groaned as he slowly sat upright.

Lucy slid off his chest until she lay upon the ground next to him. "I did it." Her voice hoarse and lethargic.

Natsu perked up at her voice. "Lucy!" He exclaimed. He looked at the man they had just fought, wondering how he had been defeated. Natsu remembered hitting a wall and then… "Lucy. You defeated him?" His eyes grew wide with astonishment and pride. "I knew you could do it," he said, his signature grin shining profusely. Lucy smiled back at him before she herself fell unconscious.

Natsu lay back down, his left hand propping his head off the ground. He should probably take Lucy back to the village. By now, Happy should be there with everyone. He knew he should, but he felt completely drained, as he was sure she felt. He hadn't known what she had done to defeat the dark mad man. He only knew she had exhausted most of her magic power. He himself had barely any ability to move and used his magic and then some in protecting Lucy.

While Natsu lay on the ground thinking (for once) and Lucy lay asleep, a dark figure skulked in the shadows. His puppet had served him well, very well indeed. For now he knew just who the guild that had taken the village's request to rid of him was. He could use them, the two in front of him, more specifically their magical energy, to his advantage.

Natsu sensed the person in the shadows. He quickly jumped to his feet, a sudden surge of energy flowing through him. He picked Lucy up and carried her out the entrance he had forged during the fight. He would protect Lucy from whoever hid there. Whoever it was, they gave him a bad feeling. He burst of strength lasted him all the way into the forest outside the castle. He found a hidden grove, lay Lucy down, and fell to the ground asleep next to her, having used the last of his energy to get them to what he thought to be safety.