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, or if I found nothing on that, I created it for the sole purpose of this fanfic.)
Author's Note: So.. this is the final chapter. I love the ending. I've had this written for quite some time. Just getting here was the hard part. Don't worry! There is a sequal! although it can be read as standalone too. The last chapter was a bit rushed for my liking, but even with revising it at least five times, it didn't work out too well. I do hope you enjoy this chapter though. I do plan on having the sequel posted sometime in the next week. I have the first few chapters written for that. I hope you enjoy this final chapter and continue to read the sequel! Thanks for reading guys! :) 3
Chapter 15
Lucy stood with Loke, looking at her friends. All of them were chained up along the wall, being drained of energy. Her eyes widened with acknowledgement that she was partially the cause of them being captured. "I'm sorry…" She quickly turned away from them.
Levy stared at her with her big hazel eyes pleading for help. Lucy stood frozen at the door, staring at her friend chained.
At the door to the chamber, Vesper stood watching Lucy. "I'll strike a deal with you mage." He clearly hungered to have his dessert even if it meant he had to push off his plans. "I will let your friends go, if you come with me."
"No!" Natsu thundered.
Lucy watched her friends suffer as Vesper increased the amount of magic that was sucked from them. If they were not already unconscious, their heads drooped and their eyes close. Levy's was the last to close. She appeared to be looking at Lucy as if she knew Lucy had a plan.
Lucy stood, shocked by this. Then she began contemplating. "What if," she began. "What if I go with you to a different country, giving you whatever you desire? Will you leave Fiore alone? Leave the magic council a lone? Let my friends return to Fairy Tail?"
"Lucy, no!"
"Natsu…."
"That's quite an offer, Miss Heartfilia."
Lucy cringed.
"I could have the heiress to one of the wealthiest companies in my hands for personal use." Vesper smirked. "Hasn't your family's company created railroad that span into other countries? This money could be to my benefit."
"My family's company is not on the table."
"Well, why not?"
"I gave up my rights to the family estate and left it in the care of the servants when I chose to stay with Fairy Tail."
"Well then…" Vesper began pacing. "Let me think."
Lucy turned to her friends. "Loke, please."
"I understand," Loke replied disappearing in a puff.
Lucy walked over towards Natsu, looking up at him. "Natsu…"
"Why Luce?"
Natsu slowly opened his eyes to see Lucy panting. She held out Taurus's key sending him back to the spirit world. Vesper stood a bit away from her, watching her, eying her greedily.
Suddenly the chains broke. Natsu and the others fell to the ground. All stood up ready to fight. Lucy looked carefully over her friends. They had been through so much in such a short amount of time. Their clothes had taken a major beating. They all wore some sort of Vesper's jewelry. Lucy glanced from Erza, to Levy, on down the line to Wendy and Carla, to Happy all still passed out. Her eyes finally stopped on Natsu. That look… I….
"Lucy," Natsu stood up. "Why would you do something like this?"
"You can't fight very well without your magic. They're knocked out. He'd used them as leverage… And I…" Lucy looked at the ground, pointing her toes in towards each other. Natsu lifted her head by the chin. "I want to be the one to protect you this time…because…." Tears streamed down her face. "I love you…"
On impulse, Natsu kissed her. He grabbed her left hand with his right, entwining his fingers with hers. "Then let me fight with you."
"N-Natsu…."
"Lucy," Loke appeared, turning his back to the scene. "Everything is in place now."
Lucy didn't pull away from Natsu, leaving them standing forehead to forehead, her eyes closed. "Thank you Loke. Please take them out of here now. Will Virgo come through the gate on her own magic to help?"
"I can bring her through to help."
"Thank you."
"Yes Princess." Loke looked at the ground, his eyes filling with tears. "You're welcome."
Natsu pulled away from Lucy. "What are you planning on doing?"
Lucy turned around, glancing back at Vesper. "Something that needs to be done."
"Lucy, I can help."
"You know he's going to attempt to help." Loki paced back and forth.
"I know." Lucy nodded slowly. She looked towards the magical bomb they had constructed next to the magma core. "He won't be able to help with this. I have to set off the bomb from inside here too. I don't want him anywhere near here."
Loki nodded.
"I think it's time we entered that chamber."
Loki turned to follow Lucy out of the room. Before they reached the corridor that led to their friends, Loki stopped Lucy. "I hope to be able to serve you again one day."
"Don't worry. I won't be gone for long." She smiled, handing him her keys. "Take these to them when the time is appropriate."
"Natsu…" Lucy looked longingly into his eyes as Virgo appeared behind him.
What Lucy said next was the last thing Natsu heard from her sweet lips.