Hello, dear readers! It is I, the long lost 4ever-a-fairy, of whom you've heard mysterious and thrilling rumors. But you may rest assured; pain did leave my body before the beginnings of-
No, I mean I'm not dead. Not yet.
I'm sorry for keeping you annoyed for so long already. Just please bear with me a little longer. Just a little, ok? Half of this chapter. You'll see your patience will be rewarded.
Truth to be told, I had lost my cannot-wait-to-write mood. And truth to be told once more, it is partly because of my dear, sweet and lovely reviewers (you know how much I love you all, don't you?).
You guys had had the full right to react as you did, but… it just makes me wonder, you know? It makes me wonder if you would actually want to take back at least one word after reading this chapter…
Lucy figured telling him about her engagement would be a lot easier if she would keep her cheerful and lovely mood she'd tried to have the past days. It would be impossibly difficult and she most probably won't be able to do it, but giving a try won't hurt, would it?
She filled her lungs with the fresh air of that sunny day and held her breath a couple of seconds trying to pull herself together.
Her mind was like a metropolitan city during midday.
The birds were singing like usual in the apple tree. Spotless blue sky above her head, tall rich grass dancing in the wind, everything would make one's day at least enjoyable.
She finally let out the air and opened her eyes bravely, facing the front door of Jane Habbit's home as if she was going to war.
Was it going to end badly? Was it going to start well, in the first place?
She raised her hand to knock and decided to finish it all as soon as possible.
Could you blame her? Having to tell a person you're in love with that you're getting married. And that the wedding is to be the following day.
If only she could send somebody else in her place and avoid even facing him. She took a last glimpse backwards, at her two bodyguards. Maybe she was expecting the slightest feeling of support from them, but she couldn't expect anything from two statues that only knew how to fight. There was this purple haired tall guy and the white haired chick. They were dressed from head to toe in armor and stood still, piercing her with their absent looks. They were there to obey her, but the King's orders were obviously superior. And Lucy knew well that the King preferred the news to be brought to him by herself. That way, she could make things clear once and for all that she was not to see him ever again. Well, not to see him in the same way she used to; not so privately. She held her hands together and her eyebrows approached. The look in her eyes helplessly moved from one guard to another.
Suddenly, Natsu popped out in her view from behind the little chalet he temporarily lived in. He was holding a bunch of chopped wood for fire. He bended and let them fall to the ground. He dusted his hands and shirt and then wiped away the sweat on his forehead. He took the axe from behind him and threw it on his shoulder. He stepped back to return to chopping wood, when he spotted the three people in front of the house. His eyes slightly widened surprised and he placed the axe back on the ground, his eyes watching them closely. He stepped forward to offer his help for whatever they needed at the Habbits', but as he looked more carefully, he was starting to recognize the person in the middle, the well-dressed lady. His eyes widened even more when he distinguished her as being none other than Lucy and his cheeks blushed. He scanned her from head to toe amazed. She looked like completely different person. Her dress was amazingly rich, suiting her like crazy (?), and her hair as well, was tied up carefully and to such detail that it could have been considered pure art. She was wearing big necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings with diamonds and other jewels. Her position was so straight and mighty, that she could easily daunt the most beautiful person ever. But the most surprising of all was her face. She had a rich-make up.
Make-up never suited Lucy back on Earth. She used to always put on to school, but it never made her prettier. Actually, he used to consider her natural looks way better. But this once, she was so beautiful, that he would have dropped the axe on his foot if he had still held it. And, even if it would have been the most embarrassing thing on earth, his jaws would have dropped down and his heart would have stopped for a good couple of seconds.
Her eyes were standing out so well and her red, fleshy lips were killing him. But all he managed to do was freeze up. His heart was still full of conflicts and sorrows, so his admiration for her was limited by her attitude and personality. That is because he immediately remembered why he was still upset with her.
Lucy put on the bravest and loveliest expression she could and she opened her arms while stepping lightly towards him.
''Ah!'' she smiled charmingly, but with nobleness. ''Just the person I was looking for!''
''Lu…'' Natsu muttered, still barely able to crack his pleasant shock.
She stopped in front of him and the guards on their sides. Her earrings were dangling back and forth and that was the only move that followed the next few moments.
''How have you been?'' she asked kindly. ''Yesterday you left without a word and you managed to have me worried.''
How could she bring up the subject to tell him? she was wondering.
''S-Sorry, I guess. I… hadn't known how much you intended to talk, so I thought it was time I left.''
''Oh, there's no such thing. You know you are more than welcomed to stay however much you desire.''
Natsu stared at her wondering why she was talking that formally. There was a pretty obvious change in her; that was true.
''I only took a few minutes to talk, also. You didn't need to worry about it.''
''I don't know… I can't ever be sure of something when there's Gray in the picture.''
Lucy's eyes grew bigger and then she let out a sweet giggle that for some reason shattered his senses.
''Oh, you needn't be like that! My king is a wonderful person and his words are like silver and gold in my ears, for I know I may and shall always rely on them. He could never break a promise he makes and that is quite reassuring for me. It's good enough for my heart to be trustful when he is 'in the picture', as you say.''
He blinked. Yeah, there was definitely a change in her. She was much more formal and less… Lucy.
''I-Is that so?''
Lucy smiled and turned her attention to the tall guy-bodyguard. She gave him a charming look and asked for his opinion about the king. The man barely moved a muscle, but he couldn't control the blood rushing in his cheeks.
''It is indeed as you say, My Q- … My Lady.'' As you've guessed, Lucy decided she would be telling Natsu on her own about her new status, so she forbid the guards to call her queen. ''The king is a sincere person, with such a kind heart that no man can feel a need under the protection of his hand. I shall always trust my king and serve him with my sword for as long as I am allowed to live.''
''To the end of my days, I too, will live and love the king.'' The other bodyguard, the chick spoke proudly.
Lucy giggled. They had totally gotten on a side-track.
''I'm glad you have sword your loyalty once again.'' she declared giving them kind glimpses.
The slightly annoyed Natsu noticed out of the blue a detail that surprised him. He raised one of his eyebrows.
''Hold it. 'King'? Didn't you always refer to him as the Prince? You know, the Frozen Roses' Prince?''
The guards exchanged a glimpse and then returned to their obedient and statue-like poses. Lucy took a deep breath and she figured it was a little too difficult to keep up with her fake cheerful attitude. Natsu frowned surprised for it to be more serious than expected.
The blonde looked up at the two body guards and then at Natsu. Her chin was lifted a little more than usual and her eyes were determined and serious.
She made a light move with her hand and said:
''Could you lend me a few moments alone with…''
She slightly widened her eyes shocked to realize she couldn't pronounce Natsu's name. The sentence was left hanging in the air and the two knights left without hesitation. Natsu looked at her surprised so much more. The girl looked away at the mountains and kept a few moments in silence, even after the other two had gotten far away.
"So? Why is Gray the king? Was he crowned?''
She didn't reply. Her figure was looking with much seriousness in the distance and she didn't look like she was going to answer. He waited confused, his eyes nervously studying her expression.
The silent wind was lightly lifting their hair and clothes, cooling down Natsu's cheeks and allowing Lucy's skin to breathe. The birds in the apple tree seemed to shut their songs as if they could feel the tension rise in the atmosphere.
''Have you ever seen the world from high up in the sky? The sight from an airplane, for example.''
He hesitated, confused.
''I've been with an airplane before. Why?''
She started walking slowly towards the chalet he was sleeping in. He walked beside her.
''The world looks so small, but you realize only then how big it truly is.'' She smiled. ''It's a paradox.''
He didn't reply. They reached the chalet and Lucy started studying it with a sweet and curios smile on her lips.
''So this is where you've been living.''
''Y-Yeah, I guess you could say so.''
The door was opened and her eyes curiously scanned the place.
''It's a nice place… It looks cozy.''
''It is. Jane was a real angel allowing me to stay here.''
She nodded and hesitated.
''C… Can I enter?''
''… Sure.''
They both got inside and then Natsu was surprised to see her close the door. He wondered why she had done that.
''So?'' he asked. ''Is it that important? You sent the guards away and now you're locking us inside.''
She eyed him slyly with a grin.
''You preferred them witnessing a conversation where your protests for Gray becoming the king stand out? They're one of the closest to him, after all, and they truly respect him.''
''I-I could beat them up and everything would be forgotten!...''
She giggled and then started spacing out with a sad smile. Natsu frowned deeper at her weird attitude. She sighed.
''I kinda miss the holidays.''
''Holidays?''
''... Yeah …''
''We're pretty much in a holiday right now. We don't have any school, no?''
''Well I feel like I'm continuously working.'' she whispered confusing him even more.
''Well I'm sorry to hear that.'' He said ironically. He sat down on the edge of his bed.
''What do you think about this place, Natsu?''
She had thought of a pretty considerable opening and she was going to give it a try.
''What I think about it? . . . It's a world.''
She threw him a you-don't-say glare.
''Why do I have to answer this question?''
''If you don't want to, it's fine. But I'm not going to answer to yours either, about Gray.''
Talk about threat.
''I don't know what I think about it. It's boring, lately.''
She smiled sadly and swallowed the tears that had almost popped out. The reason for that was known only by her.
''That, I agree. Do you miss fighting with bad guys?''
He kept silent a few moments, looking with hate at the ground.
''I miss it so much it tickles. But it's not the enemy I lack, but the opportunity.'' he said quietly.
She passed him a painful look.
''What else?''
''About this world?... it's crazy. I haven't met one sane person yet.''
''What about Jane and Luna?''
''They're too absent-minded. They don't seem to see anything else but daily chores, the random everyday moves. And they like it, that's what's crazy.''
''Are you sure it's not just you being too hurt to accept the others' peace and happiness?''
He chuckled sadly.
''You got me.''
A pause of silence fell over them.
''So am I wrong to understand you still hate this world?'' she asked.
Hate it? He frowned confused. He might've said before that he hated that world. But did he still hate it? He had been through a lot of frustrating stuff, but now that he looked back, they all seemed fun. All he had wished in his entire life was adventure. And when he eventually got it, he was rejecting it. Because he hated it. Thinking deeper about it, he wondered why he had wanted so much to go back. It was natural he would want to go home, but…
… Suddenly, the idea of going back didn't sound so exciting anymore.
But he still couldn't help it. He didn't belong to that place and that fact was eating him alive. Maybe this world had been fun, but he still wanted to return. He couldn't stand living there anymore. The Princess Hunt, the chase of the Skeleton Kingdom's king… falling in love with Lucy…the Bloody Queen and the reborn Erza, the pirates, the Lucy and Natsu from that world, every single adventure they had been through was in the past now.
It was time for him to say goodbye. Even if this idea seemed a little odd after him getting somehow used staying in that place, he had to admit it. He didn't belong there!
''No… I don't hate it. But I don't like remaining here, either.''
She smiled.
''I'm glad you don't hate it.''
He finally looked up at her.
''Why did you ask?''
She hesitated. The pause of silence that followed was somehow filled with tension.
''Lollipop contacted me.''
.
.
.
His eyes grew wide and his lips parted.
Their looks crossed ways and the shock in him was keeping her silent.
''…What?...''
''Last night, she appeared in my room and told me we can finally go back.''
He let out the air in his lungs brutally and his shock couldn't stop rising.
''What a coincidence… Just when I was thinking I want to go back.''
The small smile on his lips was slowly growing. Lucy's eyes, instead, started watering without her being able to do anything about it. Again, the reason was unknown.
''She told me that the condition for us to go back had been to go into the Kingdom of Frozen Roses and meet someone we knew. Do you remember? She had told that back in the Kingdom of Dragons, at Erza's place, too.''
''…Yeah… Yeah! You're right!''
The happiness inside him was getting bigger.
''It looks like that person was Gray. Since we already met him a long time ago, we have accomplished our purpose and respected the condition. We can finally go back; we can finally return home.''
He rose up and started laughing. He looked at her enthusiastically and hugged her. She didn't move a muscle. Also, tears started rolling down on her cheeks while she was desperately trying to stop them. She didn't want Natsu to see her weak like that. She breathed deeply and by the time Natsu let go of her, she had managed to stop before bursting out crying. She wiped away the water on her face before he would see her. He laughed again.
''Oh, Lucy, I'm so happy! We can finally go back! We're going home! Home… How wonderful it sounds like! Earth, here we come!''
She pushed on a smile.
''We're going to see our parent again! Our friends, our neighbors, the students and teachers in the high school, we're going to meet up with everybody we know!''
He spun around a few times laughing and dancing. He took her hands and started dancing with her singing things like "we're going back, oh ye~ah, we're coming home~"
''Why aren't you happy, Lucy? We're going home!''
She forced another smile and looked down.
''C-Calm down, Natsu… I'm not finished talking yet.''
''Oh yes. Sorry.''
He was so happy he immediately obeyed her. He crossed his legs sitting back on the bed. He looked up at her with a cheerful smile. His eyes were sparkling so wonderfully it was almost too painful to bear for her.
''She said that tonight, at the lake in this very town, a portal will open. She will be there to give any instructions needed.''
''Great! The sooner, the merrier.''
''There will be a small detail, though, which I think you would rather say it's troublesome. A problem, if you want to call it so.''
''Oh? A detail? What is it?''
She looked away with saddens and he looked at her with curiosity.
''I . . .''
''?''
''. . . L-Look. . . I asked you about the view from a plane, did I not?''
''Yeah. So what about it?''
''You agreed that you see a lot of land.''
''Yes.''
''But have you ever imagined how it would be like if that entire place you've seen belongs to someone? How would it be like if somebody actually owned that entire piece of earth?''
He hesitated.
''W-Well, I guess I'd be quite amazed? I mean, we're talking about a lot of land, so… Somebody rich wouldn't be so impressed, possibly, but…''
''And. . .''
''Hmm? And?''
''And'' she finally looked in his eyes with determination, but sadness. ''And what if I told you I'm the owner of so much?''
He raised his eyebrows.
''I wouldn't believe you.''
''And what if I told it's true.''
''I still wouldn't believe it.''
''And what if I told you that you are now stepping, living, harvesting, on my earth? What if I told you that the entire Kingdom of Frozen Roses is under my rule, that I am no longer a mere traveler alongside a pink-haired boy, that I am dressed the way a queen is, that those two guards out there were sent to protect me and, with a bare word of mine, they wouldn't hesitate to kill themselves, if that was what I desired? What if I told you that the reason a prince is crowned and that the reason he would become a king is because he got married? And what if I told you that Gray is actually a king now and his coronation will be today?''
Natsu's eyes were wide opened.
''What? Hold on, I don't understand anything you're saying. So Gray's a king now? Good for him! But why are you so rushed? What happened? Are you sad he got married?''
''Natsu!''
At the sound of his name coming out of her own mouth, her tears started pouring down.
''Natsu, what if told you Gray, indeed, will be getting married today at his coronation?''
He kept silent and his face was slowly getting pale.
''Yeah? So what?''
''Well… What if I told you that his fiancé…''
Her knees trembled.
''… is me?''
.
.
.
His entire face was white and his eyes were purely in shock. He cracked a smile and eventually dared to breathe.
''I wouldn't believe you.'' he whispered.
She stared in his eyes and bit her lip to stop her tears.
''But you have to.'' she smiled sadly while her eyes were completely in water. ''It's true.''
''You're Gray's fiancé? You?''
He collapsed down on the bed. He laughed crushed.
''The queen? But…''
''I'm sorry, Natsu. I'm getting married to Gray.''
''And you telling me just like that? Like it's nothing?''
She flinched and frowned.
''I didn't mean to sound like it's no-''
''Well you did!'' Their eyes met.
He grimaced and looked away.
''I don't understand you anymore. I stopped understand you a long time ago, actually.''
She managed to pull herself together and she was again the mighty queen.
''I'm sorry if I disappointed you.'' she replied coldly.
He couldn't accept the situation and raised up suddenly getting pissed.
''But I don't understand! I had thought- no, you made me think you had feelings for me.''
She couldn't reply. She looked away with pride, but the tears in her red eyes still hadn't left.
''I thought you loved me! I thought you loved me just like I loved you! Why are you acting like nothing ever was between us?!''
''Because there really wasn't.''
''Then what about yesterday? You…''
His anger vanished for a second and his voice softened.
''You kissed me.''
She looked further away.
''Why would you do that if you were really not feeling anything?''
''I… I had figured on the months we had stayed together… that you enjoyed teasing me and stealing kisses from me.''
''What about it?''
''I thought you liked to kiss me.''
There was a light blush on her cheeks.
''I did. I still do.''
''Well… then why do you still ask me of why I did that to you?''
He raised his eyebrows surprised once more.
''You did that because you knew I liked it? What… Why?!''
''There's nothing to understand.''
''But… ''
He flinched and then frowned sadly and confused.
''Not that you say, yesterday and the day before, you were acting very strange. You didn't even sadden when I screamed rude things at you, you were unusually cheerful and you did everything I liked. You had me close to Gray.''
''Yes. I wanted us to be happy. I wanted you to be on good terms with Gray in order not to have any grudge against him. I wanted you to be happy.''
Her voice was sincere enough to confuse him ever more.
''Why would you suddenly want that?''
''Because I knew it will soon be time for us to part. I did what anyone would do when parting with a dear friend.''
''Part? What are you talking about?''
''Natsu, you still haven't figured it out?''
''Figure what?''
''I'm not going with you.''
He frowned.
''I'm not going back home, Natsu.''
It was like the entire weight of the world was suddenly pressing down on him. The shock fell so powerfully on his shoulders he could barely stand still on his feet.
''You're kidding, right?'' he whispered crushed. ''You're ******* around with me, aren't you?''
She flinched at the sound of his language and it hurt her. She squeezed her eyes and did her best to remain calm. His attitude was sad, but cold at the same time. The shivers that travelled through her body were bad enough to make her tremble.
''I'm getting married to Gray. How could I leave him?''
She threw her heart away in the hard up and all her feelings down the river. Only in order to smile.
''I love him.''
The words entered his ears and pierced his brains causing an explosion of anger and let-down to overwhelm him. He clinched his trembling fists and gritted his teeth while tears were appearing in his angry eyes.
''. . . And after all I've done for you. . . This is how you reward me . . .''
Her body flinched.
'' After all those tries in which I've put my life on danger only to show you just how much you mean to me . . . to show you just how much I love you . . .''
He raised his angry and disappointed eyes to face her.
'' . . . You come and spit in my face that you love Gray . . . that you're getting married to him . . .''
Her lip trembled, but she didn't let her emotions win her over again.
He opened his arms.
''Tell me, just how much more are you going to stab me with your words? . . . Haven't you had enough killing a corpse?'' he whispered.
''Natsu! Stop it! Why are you overreacting like that?'' she said frowning. ''What should I have done? Hide it from you?''
''No, you're right. I don't have the right to say anything. It's my fault and only mine that I misunderstood your feelings. You can't love me and I can't do anything about it.'' he said coldly. ''But there is, you know, just one thing of which I'm positive I'm right.''
He let a break of silence torture her conflicting feelings.
''You don't love him.''
''What?''
''No matter what you say, Lucy, I know you don't love him.''
''How can you say such a thing? How can you decide about what I'm feeling? I'm telling you that I'm in love with Gray and I'm going to get married to him in a few hours. Please don't act like you know anything about me.''
''It's true that I can't understand what truly is in your heart. But one thing for sure is that you can't have feelings for him. He may be the prince charming that no girl could resist, but he's a junk on the inside and I know you well enough to know you won't ever marry a person without any morality.'' The suffering in his heart appeared for a few seconds on his expression. ''I know it from self experience.''
She gritted her teeth and cursed herself for not being able to hold back her tears anymore. Why were his words hurting her so much?
''It's ridiculous! Gray is such a wonderful person and whether you like it or not, I love him!''
Her voice had sounded so dull to her own ears; and that because of her sobs that were drowning in her throat.
''LUCY! YOU DON'T LOVE HIM! WAKE UP! HE'S JUST PLAYING AROUND WITH YOUR MIND AND HEART!'' he yelled to the crying girl.
She open her eyes wide and gulped before protesting with anger:
''Y… YOU'RE JUST JEALOUS!'' she yelled back at him.
He smashed his teeth under the pressure and the anger that was blurring his sight along with the tears was suddenly shattered due to another feeling that overwhelmed his entire body. It was brought along with shock. Lucy was looking so beautiful. And he was so angry at her. And he wanted her so badly; he couldn't even imagine her belonging so somebody else. He looked in her angry eyes and realized their feelings were mutual. The gleam in her eyes told him she was just as 'pissed' as he was.
''Damn…'' was the only thing that came to his mouth before he caught her shoulder and pulled her brutally towards him. He sank his mouth into hers; and she kissed him back. He stepped forward in the need to be closer to her; to feel her beside him. He gripped the hair at the back of her head and almost immediately after that, he felt the wall stopping them from moving any more forward. They parted for the split of a second only to start kissing again with so much passion that had been hidden behind those formalities. They finally let go of their desire for one another and now they were paying for that. Natsu could feel Lucy grasping his back and he couldn't hold himself from loving her even more.
The blonde pushed him brutally, her entire body trembling hard and her eyes shinning dangerously. Her hair was completely damaged and she could do nothing to fix it anymore. She looked up at him and was afraid she won't be able to control herself and kiss him again. Natsu arms took her hostile once again and he hugged her tightly. No, it was all wrong.
''Please think about it… '' he said softly in her ear. It could've had more meanings, but Lucy knew there was only one reply to all of them.
She pushed him away.
''I'm getting married, Natsu.'' she said with in cold, deep voice while dodging his eyes.
He looked at her and wondered if that was it. The final response. She got further away and dusted her dress in a rush before opening the door. She gave him a last look. And in there were concentrated many, many feelings.
''I tried my best to make you happy so we could part happily, as two friends. I failed in two ways. One, is that I know for sure neither of us is happy. . . The second one is that I'm afraid we could never be just friends.''
She smiled sadly and with love. Natsu's eyes watered. So she did love him, after all.
''I'm sorry.''
Her voice broke and she covered her mouth. New tears rolled down her cheeks.
''I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all I've done to you. I'm sorry that I can't go back with you.''
He kept silent.
''You can come to the wedding . . . thought I'd appreciate if you didn't . . .''
The tears in his eyes also started falling down. Of course. He could clearly understand that.
Her shoulders were shaking brutally.
She exited the chalet, but stopped before closing the door.
''Oh, and, Natsu?''
She looked in her eyes and then down at her feet.
''Remember that time when you took me to Lollipop in order to bring me back to life? She needed my most important thing to do that. And you placed the diary on my chest and kissed my cheek. After I woke up, I told you that the diary was my most important thing, and not you.''
She kept silent a while.
''Well . . . I lied.'' she whispered crushed. After that, another round of cries filled her throat, so she closed the door fast and ran away.
Natsu covered his face with his hand and he started crying in silence.
What a thing to do.
To keep this kind of secret for such a long time.
And what a cruel thing to do.
To reveal it when you know it would hurt the other one most.
Natsu's eyes were wide opened and he was in shock. The tears just wouldn't stop pouring down and there was enough of a reason for that suddenly finding out that all that time, his entire life, he had been the most important thing in the life of the one he loved.
It was like finding out the one thing your whole life gravitated around was finally going to come into your hands, only for it to be stolen away in front of your eyes.
As hours were passing, Natsu wasn't able to do a thing. He never came out of his chalet and he didn't even think about eating. The day was passing and he had barely moved a muscle.
Jane was getting worried. He wouldn't come out at her calls; he wouldn't even answer at them.
…
Luna hurried out of her bed, pushed the door open and ran outside the house ignoring her mother's calls. She panted lightly while stopping in front of the little wooden house where Natsu was sat.
''Mr. Natsu!'' she screamed while throwing her little fists against the door. ''Mr. Natsu!''
''Go away.'' A moan could be heard from the other side of the wall.
''Mr. Natsu, please! Open the door! Mommy's really worried about you!''
''I don't care… Just go away.''
''Mr. Natsu!''
Her eyes started watering and her lower lip trembled. Her hands' knocking lightened until they completely gave up. She started crying.
''Open up…''
A light shifting could be heard between her sobs and after hesitating for a long time, Natsu opened the door. His pathetic figure in the shadows looked down at her with antipathy.
Once she saw him in front of her, she threw herself in his arms.
''I don't want you to die, Mr. Natsu!'' she cried. ''I don't want you to die!'
He looked at her with surprise.
''Die?'' he asked confused.
''Mommy told me you're ill! But I don't want you to be ill and die!''
''Luna…'' his widened eyes looked with tenderness at the little girl. He hugged her back. ''I'm not going to die, Luna.''
She sobbed and raised her head to look at him.
''N… No?''
''No. I'm not ill. I'm not going to die, so don't worry.''
She looked at him surprised and as if he was some kind of an angel.
''You promise?''
He smiled softly.
''I promise.''
She raised her right hand from the hug.
''Pinky promise?''
He chuckled.
''Pinky promise.''
Their pinkies tangled and the vow was made. She hugged him tighter.
''Good. Because I want to stay with Mr. Natsu forever.''
His smile slowly vanished and his sadness returned to him. He kept silent because he didn't want to make the girl cry again. He didn't have the intention to tell her he was going to return to his world.
They parted and Luna looked up at him.
''Why did mommy tell me you were ill if you actually weren't?''
The strange look in his eyes was confusing the little girl.
He shook his head and gave up the idea of telling her about what happened to him. He returned to his bed and let his heavy body fall on the clean sheets.
Luna eventually left when her mother's calls were becoming too persistent. After that incident, nothing happened.
The door had been closed when the child left and it was going to be left closed for another couple of hours.
…
The Kingdom of Frozen Roses; Red Town; seven months and seven days after first stepping on the lands of Fairy Tale world; same day as the one of Lucy's engagement announcement in front of Natsu; two hours before midnight.
…
It was a late summer, but even so, the sun had barely sat a few minutes before ten p.m., judging by Earth's clock.
Natsu sighed and thought it must've been the time you would call it 'tonight'. Because Lucy had said that Lollipop would meet him 'tonight' at the lake of the Red Town.
He still couldn't believe he was going to return home.
He sat up on his feet and stretched his bones.
''Yosh!'' he exclaimed encouraging himself in the dark.
His clinched fist and grin couldn't reflect the true feelings in his heart.
He gave a short look in the direction of the note he left for Jane on the wooden wall. Since her family (or any commoner's family) couldn't afford paper, he had decided to write with a knife in the wood, telling her that he left and he would never forget someone like her who had showed him so much kindness.
He opened the door and, with a moment of hesitation, he left.
The beautiful path was moonlit and it was bright enough so that it he could easily find his way to the lake. It looked like a large black slough in the middle of a dark grove.
He stepped on the shore and looked at the black water patiently. It seemed that the witch wasn't there. She could've been late. Or it could've been that he had understood wrong what Lucy said. And… talking about her… His thoughts kept running in her direction. Could he be able to resist the urge to think about her words? Or more like, could he be able to bare the pain inside his heart?
Sever months and sever days ago… it sure seemed like there had been seven years…
He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of Fairy Tale. It was over. The game of tag had ended. Lollipop finally revealed herself and she was ready to take them back to where they belonged to. But Lucy… she had decided she was going to remain…
Sever months and seven days ago, he had woken up in front of a peasant girl. He had somehow fought an ogre and then gone to the castle of the Skeletons' king for the princess hunt. He won and the prize had been nothing he had expected nor wanted. He had received Lucy and it turned out to be the most wonderful yet painful thing he could ever receive. And then… everything went on…
And now it was all over.
The other two persons at the lake eventually left when they realized Natsu wasn't going to leave anytime soon. They were a couple looking for some time alone. That was when another presence appeared beside his.
He raised his head at the sound of light steps approaching.
Once more, Lollipop's beautiful appearance could strike any man's eyes. Her sublime long legs moved slowly and her hips were moving from one side to another suavely. The short purple dress she wore was revealing too much of her round shoulders and the rest. Her hair lightly floating in the mild wind shone under the moonlight. Her long eyelashes and red fleshy lips, along with that delicate nose and alluring smirk could drive one crazy.
But Natsu's eyes could only look into hers sadly. If you asked him, he didn't even know the color of her hair. His mind was only blurred with one image, that of Lucy's.
The witch took out her lollipop and started licking it like a little kitten.
''Hello, dear.''
''Lollipop.''
She grinned.
''Since you're here, it means the girl did her job properly. You know, sending you the message.''
He hesitated.
''C-Can I really go back to my own world?''
This time, she smiled kindly.
''Yeah. You can finally return home.''
''And what will happen after that?'' he asked with curiosity.
''Nothing. You return in the same moment you left. Nobody besides you knows anything about what happened right here.''
''Nothing's changed? It's all the same way as before?''
''No. Your physical changes will remain, as well as the mental ones.''
She grinned and looked at his arm's muscles. Her hand lifted and she touched them with admiration.
''As I thought, you look a lot more capable than the first time I met you.''
Her eyes scanned his body from head to toe and she nodded pleased with what she was seeing.
''You're different in many ways.''
He stepped back and slapped her arm with an angry frown.
''What about Lucy?''
Lollipop's smile vanished.
''So she's certain, then? She doesn't want to return?''
His heart saddened.
''What, don't tell me you've actually told her to change her mind.''
''I didn't persist.''
A pause of silence fell over them.
''So- … What's going to happen to her?...'' his voice echoed pathetically in the night.
She hesitated.
''Since she's not returning… She won't be there with you. It would be like she suddenly vanished.''
''So I'm going to explain to everybody that she suddenly disappeared?''
She shook her head sadly.
''I'm sorry. It's her decision.''
''Tch. Making me look like a madman in front them.'' He grimaced looking away. ''What was the point in coming here, anyway?''
He eyed her angrily.
''Can you explain that to me?''
She frowned and looked away.
''Yeah. I was the one who brought you into this world.''
His eyes widened.
''WHAT?!''
''Hey! I have my reasons, okay?''
'' 'Okay'? Did you just say 'okay'?'' he asked shocked.
''I've been to your world before.'' she replied with a grin like it was nothing. His jaws dropped.
''Wha- Wh- WHY?! HOW?!''
''I'm a witch. I simply built a portal and passed through. And as for the reason… it's a long story.''
He clinched his firsts and screamed:
''Come on! I have all night long! Just… explain yourself!''
She dropped down on the grass and patted the spot beside her.
''Sit.''
He hesitated and then crossed his feet in front of her instead.
''Good. Now… where do I start?''
His angry narrowed eyes stabbed her face, but she smiled sheepishly like they were just chit-chatting like two old friends.
She licked her lollipop and looked up at the sky thinking of an opening. She let the candy come out with a pop the same moment she got an idea.
''Fairy tales!''
''Fairy tales?''
''You do know fairy tales, right?''
''Like… Cinderella and… Snow White and all those kid stories?''
''Exactly. Now, dear. All of them are at least possible if not true in this world. But that's not what matters. What I want you to be aware of is that there is one error in each and every single fairy tale you've ever read.''
''I never read any fairy tale.''
She waved it away.
''Doesn't matter. Thing is, that error is important for you to know.''
''What is it?''
She smiled and looked at the lake dreamily.
''You see, Natsu, in every fairy tale, the prince and princess fall in love with each other and the prince saves the princess from the witch's fangs. But…''
She peeked at him.
''Have you ever thought that the witch doesn't have to be the bad guy actually?''
''What do you mean?''
''Have you ever thought about things from this perspective? The prince wouldn't fall in love with the princess if they didn't meet in the first place.''
''Right.''
''And why do they meet?''
''Because… the princes goes to save the princess?''
''Good, and why does he have to save the princess?''
''Because he's a good man?''
She laughed.
''No. It's because she needs his help. It's because the witch is bad to her. It's because the witch holds her captive.''
''Yes. So the witch is the bad guy.''
''But what if the witch is doing it on purpose so she would have the prince and princess meet and fall in love with each other?''
His eyebrows lifted and he remained quiet. What? Now that was an interesting theory.
''So you're saying the witch is actually preoccupied of having the prince and princess together?''
''Yup.'' She grinned. ''Because she's actually a good person.''
''But that's crazy! The witch is always described as the worst person in the world.''
''Exactly, but that's not the reality.'''
''Hold on; and what does it have to do with you?''
''Don't be rude! I'm a good person!'' she puffed her cheek annoyed.
''Whatever.''
''So what I'm trying to say is that the true job of a witch is to get the two together.''
''And it's also your job?''
She smiled.
''For generations, Natsu, I've been getting the prince and the princess together. Because each girl and each boy is a princess or a prince. And that goes for your world, too.''
''What?!''
''You know, Earth is especially a rough place. It's sometimes too difficult for a princess to find her prince and the other way around. Maybe they're not even struggling to meet each other. There have been cases in which they were just passing by each other and that's it. They won't ever know they're actually meant to be together. And that's why they won't ever find their place.''
''Wait, so how do witches know who is meant to be together with who?''
''We use magic. So we find out.''
''So if they don't meet, it's your job to kidnap the girl and make the guy come save her?''
''No, Natsu… That was just a general example. It's my job to put the prince and princess in situations that would get them closer to each other. I put them in situations in which they fall in love with each other. But it's only because they're perfect for each other. We're not manipulating anybody. ''
Situations that would draw them close.
Natsu's eyes widened and he was slowly beginning to understand everything.
''It would be complicated and troublesome for us to do it on Earth, a world without magic, so there are many cases in which we have to kidnap both of them into our Fairy Tale world.''
''Just like you did with us…'' he whispered with shock.
The witch grinned and pulled something out of her sleeve. He looked at her fist which she slowly opened revealing a small necklace that was shinning in the moonlight.
''Remember this?''
He frowned.
''No, what is it?''
She giggled.
''Lucy remembered.''
He blinked confused.
''It's the necklace she stepped on making the portal open back in her room.''
''Really?'' he asked wide eyed.
''It's a magical necklace that only works once in life and that I sent in her room. And that is when you two were sucked into this world, separated from each other so that it would all start again, from the beginning for the two of you.''
His wide eyes started trembling.
''And what about the other Natsu and Lucy?''
She smiled sadly and her face lowered.
''Everybody from this world is the creation of our magic put together.''
''What?! The witches created this world?! And they're still treating you like you're the bad guys?''
Her eyes saddened even more.
''It is how it's supposed to be. Nobody beside the victims of our jobs are allowed to know about the real story.''
''But it's crazy! People should give you credits for what you're doing for them!''
He narrowed his eyes sadly.
''… I should give you credits for what you've done for me…''
She smiled with gratitude.
''Thank you, Natsu … but I can't do anything about it.'' She hesitated. ''So may I understand that you got my idea?''
''Y-Yeah, but… I don't understand… why you have to interfere with other people's future relationships.''
''Listen. There are people, indeed, who simply fall in love because their hearts tell them so, but there is also that type of people that won't realize their true feelings without somebody interfering. That is why humans sometimes only need this…'' she frowned and tried to mime thrusting a person.'' … push.''
She looked at him in an obvious way.
''Take yourself, for example. Your entire life you've been messing with girls and it seemed impossible for you to actually set your eyes on the right person. Lucy.''
A muscle on his cheek twitched.
''You would've never known she's your perfect match if I hadn't brought you here.''
He narrowed his eyes and his heart was broken.
''Well that's not the case anymore, now is it?''
She flinched and her eyes grew with the pain of realization.
''Oh… right… '' she whispered to herself. ''I've never thought I would fail my mission… It has never happened to me before.''
He looked at her questioningly.
''My missions are to bring two together and make them fall in love with each other. There are usually three steps, but, in your case, after consulting the calculations I made seeing with surprise your fast change of perspective regarding Lucy, I have come to the conclusion that you two only need to pass two of the stages. They were the Kingdom of Dragons and the Kingdom of Frozen Roses. I was very much surprised to see that at the end of the first stage, the two of you were already in love with each other. But I never I'd have imagined that before the second step was over, the girl would drop dead her feeling and give up on everything…''
Her words were hurting him, but he turned his back upon her making it look like he was neutral.
''Oh well, who cares after all? When I return home, I'll have many other girls to pick from, much prettier than Lucy.''
She looked at his back sadly.
''But they'd never compare to her. Right?''
He kept silent.
Not even all of them together.
He sighed and took a peek at her.
''How's the portal coming?''
She grinned and everything else was already left behind.
''So. Are you ready then?''
''Do I have a choice?'' he whispered.
She grinned wider and looked at him with respect.
''Natsu. Look at me.''
He turned back around slowly.
''I have to congratulate you. You've completed your mission in Fairy Tale and thus, I am forced to send you back to your world without any more hesitation.''
''But didn't I fail my mission to love and make her love me?''
''Notwithstanding that, you have completed your mission in this world. You may now return to Earth. But, before leaving, you must know the few rules of this world as an earthbound. You may never, ever speak to other people of any of your experiences in Fairy Tale, for it is a secret to terrestrials. Even though you hold the ability to chose between remaining here and going back to your world, I must aware you that, in case you leave, you may never return, and in case you remain, you may never go back to Earth. Thus, your decision this instant will be definitive.''
Natsu's onyx eyes lost even more of its color.
''Then…''
Lollipop read through his words and shared his sadness.
''Yes. Lucy made her decision already. She may never go back.''
After much hesitation and silence, Natsu eventually replied.
''… I understand.''
''Will you still go back?''
He smiled shortly and nodded. Lollipop also smiled sadly.
''Then, it was nice meeting you, Natsu Dragneel.''
She turned her back upon him and picked up a hand of grass. She took a few steps forward under the pair of sad onyx eyes. Her delicate chin lifted and she gazed at the moon. As if for the last time, she breathed in the air of the night. She threw a sympathetic look in his direction and a lock of hair fell on her forehead.
Her eyes closed lazily and she lifted her arms in the darkness.
''GOKURANNHWO SAVINSTESH CORPUSET HELAHSO NEVEETANT BALINCIKERHWO…'' she began whispering softly incantations that had no sense to Natsu. Around her body, light blue rays started appearing, circling her feet and going up as the words continued to come out of her mouth.
She suddenly opened her eyes and screamed:
''OPEN!''
She threw the grass in the air and the guy watched with shock how it suddenly started spinning around the blue light and taking the form of steam. Also, the rays were turning into a liquid that looked like water.
The weird combination left the witch's body and stopped in front of her, shaping into a steaming fluid portal that resembled an egg. It was the same kind of portal that brought them into this world.
She looked at him with a kind smile.
''There it is.''
He exchanged looks between her and the portal.
''Have a safe trip and a happy life.''
And she just stood there beside the fluid wall, looking at him with patience and expecting his quick leave.
Remember this? It's the necklace that I sent in her room.
He took a step forward and clenched his fists.
It's the necklace she stepped on making the portal open.
It has been a nice experience, this place.
In order to wake her up, you have to attach her most important thing to her.
His body was lightly resisting his will to step further.
Tell me, Natsu. Have you discovered what her most important thing is?
His hands here trembling and he didn't know why he was still hesitating. He tried washing away those memories that popped out in his head.
It's either me… Either her diary…
Yeah, it was painful, but he couldn't do anything about it. They had been part of his life.
O-Of course it's my diary, you idiot!
But why was every single one of them…
Natsu? Where are you? I can't see a thing! Are we in some kind of a cave?
…Each and every single one of them…
Natsu! Look, I found a golden coin!
… including Lucy?
Please, stop! I'll do anything you say, but stop hurting Natsu!
Her voice…
Natsu~!
Her laugh…
Stop! It tickles!
Her touch… her scent… her eyes…
I miss you, Natsu. The queen isn't so harsh with me, but I miss being with you.
Her heart…
To tell you the truth… I had lied. My most important thing wasn't my diary.
In his entire brain he couldn't find a single memory in which she wasn't there. She was part with him and his memories. This world was the world in which he shared everything with her. This world didn't exist without her…
… And suddenly, the idea of living in a world without her was completely wrong.
He didn't want to live in a world without her.
Don't worry, Lu. I'll take both of us out of here. I promise.
But he hadn't been able to.
Silly. You can't do a thing; you're in prison. But you can bet on me instead.
And he was going to fail once more; he hadn't been able to bring her out.
This world had surpassed her and now she was going to remain a prisoner.
''The portal is closing, Natsu Dragneel.'' Lollipop smiled a little confused of his frozen body.
How could he have been so foolish?
How the heck did he think he could live in a world without Lucy?
''I'm not going.'' he whispered.
Lollipop's eyes grew wide and she stared at his determined figure. He suddenly lifted his face and placed his look upon her.
''What?...'' she asked shocked.
''I'm not going without her.''
His strong voice echoed in the night and the witch was left dumb-founded. Natsu straightened his back and looked fiercely at her. The anger and adrenaline started spreading in his body.
Lucy.
It was the only sound in his head. He was getting determined over an idea that sprouted inside him.
Looking at the surprised witch, he was starting to realize something. It was like his heart was beating crazily, fighting to make him aware of something. Aware of what? It was like all that time it had been trying to say it, trying to show or prove it to him. And then, one question popped out in his head. It was the same question that he had asked over and over again without even truly searching for the answer.
What was wrong with Lucy?
The Lucy he had fallen in love with was nothing like the Lucy he parted from. Who in the world was that beautiful queen in the hand of a fake prince charming?
Out of the blue, he chuckled. The picture of a nerdy Lucy with those ridiculous glasses and that messy hair when she just woke up, the picture of that red cheeked Lucy when he was kissing her, the picture of that chocolate eyes looking at him with happiness…
That's right. How long had it been since he last saw her happy?
And then – it happened.
Something inside him snapped.
Realization struck him with the power of a train go flat out.
The smile he was carrying was beginning to vanish.
His heart stopped beating and the intensity of the feelings inside his body were making him need to throw out. He dropped down on his knees and his forehead almost landed on the dark earth. His trembling hands covered his mouth in shock.
…The ideas were slowly arranging inside his head…
''Oh my God...''
''Mrs. Jane, I am truly grateful for your invitation, but please understand. I'm already stepping on the prince's words.''
''Oh my God…''
''Hey, Natsu, will you come tonight to have dinner with us? Gray proposed you to come.''
''Actually, I was the one who asked him to let me invite you, and he eventually said I can.''
''Oh…'' he whimpered.
''Lucy, you're not seriously doing as he told you to, are you?''
''Sorry.''
''He doesn't have any right to tell you what to do! You don't have to obey him!''
''You don't understand.''
His wide eyes started watering.
''You don't understand.''
And all that time, he ignorantly thought about his own hurt feelings.
''You don't understand.''
And truly, he hadn't.
But now he did.It was all clear for him now.
That look in her eyes… That look of guilty, suffering, despair which he had failed to read…
Because all that time, she had been the one imprisoned. She was obeying Gray, but it was against her will.
Behind the scenes, Gray, the mild and gentle prince charming of the Kingdom of Frozen Roses, had been threatening Lucy.
And he only just realized that.
Gray had threatened her making use of his power and the possible consequences of her not obeying.
'I love him, Natsu.' she had said. Love him? Bullshit.
Gray was the one who put limits to her seeing him. Gray was the one who planted the idea of her loving him in her mind. Gray was the one who forced her to marry him. And all that time, Lucy was the victim to his forceful ways of controlling someone. She wasn't allowed to do anything she truly wanted. But she was still thinking of Natsu. She was wishing him the best because she knew he would give up on her seeing that he couldn't have her. Even on their last day together, she had done anything she could to make him happy. Gray allowed them to stay together all that time only because he knew it was like the last prayer of a sentenced man. Before dying, her last wish.
The legend Natsu Fremont and Lucy Sketchnik had told him, it had to be true. His impossibly well done acting had managed to trick everyone. But his real person was the ice-hearted womanizer and Natsu was the first one to realize it.
But was it too late?
He flinched brutally and jumped up on his feet. He threw a pale, scared look in Lollipop's direction.
The witch was smiling. Could it be – she had known the truth all along! All that talk about Lucy falling for another one at the end of the second step and the once-in-life decision of remaining or leaving… she had tricked him!
''Go get her, tiger.''
He couldn't have received a better invitation. He jumped forth and started running towards the capital. His speed was unbelievable. All his energy was back in his body. His life has returned to him. And the sweet taste of hope… was overwhelming him.
It wasn't over yet.
It couldn't be.
He had to get her. He knew very well how much Lucy cared about a marriage. He knew that, once the 'contract' was made, there was no turning back. But he also knew that she was tied to the wrong train, going to the wrong destination.
The random plot of Fairy Tales was completely reversed in one night.
The prince charming stole the princess. The witch helps the other guy save her. At the middle of the night, the princess is going to be bonded to prince charming forever. The random guy has to reach her before that happens.
The Fairy Godmother? Yeah, she'd been there too. Small contribution.
He wind was striking his face and his feel just ached to run faster. He gathered all his strength and his speed grew even more. He was dodging trees and bushed, and when he exited the forest, he was dodging tall plants. He exited the Red Town.
Through his greeted teeth, he kept cursing himself: ''STUPID! FOOL! IDIOT!''
How could he not realize the truth earlier?!
His ears slowly caught the sound of a whimper. Surprised, he looked around. He was alone, but even so, somebody was in pain. That somebody started crying. Natsu was confused and shocked.
He started to distinguish that person screaming a name. What was happening inside his head?
And suddenly, as if he was right there, beside her, he could hear Lucy's yell:
''NATSU!''
He couldn't understand why he was able to hear her calls, but he knew that she was in suffering and she needed his help. That was enough to make his feet feel like they left the ground and they were flying. He was sure he had never reached that speed before in his life.
Wait for me, Lucy. I'm coming for you. And this time, I swear on my life, I WILL save you.
As if his mind was suddenly connected to hers, the sight of a huge room appeared before his eyes. There were many people and they all seemed to be looking at him. He saw a priest place a crown on Gray's head. It was an important ceremony. He watched as the new king rise up and look at him. The priest turned his attention to him and took his hand along with Gray's. His mouth was continuously moving, but Natsu wasn't able to hear a word.
They were married. The wedding continued as the guests started drinking and partying. He saw Gray took his hand, which was long and delicate. It was Lucy's, of course. He watched him drag her on a long and dark hall and then enter a room. He could feel the fear Lucy had been feeling at that time. She had tried to oppose the king's intentions with words; she had been too scared to move. Natsu watched horrified as Gray was starting to let his real appearance show off. A blood thirsty womanizer. A criminal.
Natsu's feet could feel to pain. His heart was going to burst out of his chest. His breathing couldn't suffice for his desperation to cease.
He saw how Gray was starting to hurt Lucy. He was pushing her against walls and doing things to her so that Natsu would've rather taken out his eyes than watching. But he was forced to watch it all, he was forced to go through the same feelings Lucy did, only ten times worse.
He felt the need to tear his chest open at the fury and desperation he was feeling. He could smell Lucy's blood and hear her screams when Gray was tasting her flesh with the help of that little knife. And she was nailed to the wall, not being able to do anything to protect her body. The king's hunger and patience all those months had finally come to an end; and he was reversing all his accumulated desires on his poor wife.
Natsu threw himself in the front locked gates and the steel bended under his enormous pressure until they were thrown away. The two taken by surprise guards hurried his way, but with a single move, the angry man cut their heads open. By the time the two bodies reached the ground, Natsu was already far away. He passed another guard, two, five, ten, thirty of them! He beat the crap out of them without hesitation and he kept killing others until he reached the third floor. He hadn't stopped one moment running.
He knew the door of the room.
When his wide eyes met the sight of it, one kick was enough to break the strong wood and throw it against the opposite wall.
Lucy's scream echoed in his ears and Gray's shocked and fierce look fell upon the intruder. His attention left the woman in his grip and entirely turned to Natsu.
He, on the other hand, looked at the girl. She was wounded and pale with fear. She was trembling and the feeling she had been through must've marked her for life.
And then, his senses exploded.
''YOU BASTAAAAAARRDDD!''
This is it for now. Next time, the full bloody fight. Don't miss it.