This chapter is going to be really long! Sorry, but not really. It was a lot of fun writing it.

Some parts may be a little confusing, because I was in too much of a hurry to write it, and some details I didn't exactly focus on.

REVIEW! THANK YOU!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. It is Hiro Mashima's.

Lucy's POV

Flashback

"Ugh…" I groaned, stretching out my aching muscles and feeling the fresh bruises and scratches along my skin. My fingers traced the knot on my skull where I had fallen against the ground several times and could only assume banged it again when they threw me in this cell. Mavis! It felt like the first time Natsu and I had ever sparred, and I was sore everywhere. Memories of last night flittered through my mind as I recalled the cause behind my pain.

Thomas. I was going to kill that son of a bitch for what he did to me, and whatever happened to my nakama. Though they are strong and most likely escaped, I could only imagine what horror had preceded after I was tranquilized. If they so much as laid a finger on my daughter…

"Looks like someone is as fired up as usual." My head snatched around towards the source of the voice where that bastard dared smirked from the doorway. The burly man from the festival whispered something to him, but Thomas waved him off and shut the door. His attention returned to me, and he walked forward until he was close enough to see my face in the dim lighting. He rubbed his chin, examining me with his beady eyes and making my skin crawl in disgust. "Looks like we'll have to work on you a little bit, but your body should do."

I tensed, and clenched my legs tighter together. My heartbeat sped up, and it felt as if all the breath had been knocked from my lungs. They wanted my body? Oh, please it wasn't what I had originally thought…

Thomas's silence didn't make me feel any more comfortable, and he seemed to realize that his lack of explanation was driving me into a panic. Without so much as a word, he walked back towards the door, but as he reached for the handle, something bright fell out of his pocket. I shrank back in horror realizing that all my theories were correct. Thomas only smirked again and left me alone with the blasted key he had stolen from his mother and the other Lord's estate.

Shit! I cursed and pressed closer to the wall. Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!

Lucy, my dear? Whatever is the matter? A calming voice whispered in my head as gentle and soothing as a mother cooing her newborn child.

I whimpered, covered my ears, and pinched my eyes shut tight. Don't listen to it, Luce! I yelled at myself. It's only an illusion. It's not the real thing…

What do you mean, sweetheart? The voice lulled again. I could sense a powerful magic growing with each word that sung through my mind. It started slowly weaving its invisible claws into me, but I fought against it, willing it to unhook itself and leave me alone. Don't you want me, my dear Lucy? I can help you…

No! I shouted, praying for my strength to stay with me. I took an unsteady breath and tried to block out the voice and the unwelcoming presence. It's okay, Luce. You can do this! Think! Natsu will be here soon probably. He's always come for you before, and he'll certainly save you this time.

That boy? But he doesn't even love you Lucy.

Shut up! My heart wrenched uncertainly, doubting. He'll be here soon!

But, Lucy… Can't you see he never loved you? The voice taunted, and with great effort, it pulled memories forward in my head, forcing me to watch as Natsu played pranks on me, snuck over to my apartment, that time he only needed me for Virgo to dig something up for him, and called me Luigi after he invited me to the guild. Conversations with others echoed in my mind as I watched these images. They were with Gray and Mira as they explained his deep connection with Lisanna before she disappeared in Edolas, or with Erza proving his love for the guild. See dear? Your "love" for him is demented. He only saves you because you are a friend and nothing more. He saves your friends just as much as you. You're nothing special to him…you NEVER were.

But, that's just how Natsu is… I tried, but something was starting to block my memories of all the good times I had ever shared with the dragon slayer. Good times? When had I ever had good times with him? We were just partners, using each other to make money. In fact, he was the reason why I was constantly broke because he was always destroying towns and causing us to pay our reward for repairs. If it wasn't for him…

Now you're starting to see, the voice sang gently. But it's okay, my dear. I love you.

But I don't know you…do I?

Lucy, Lucy. How could you not recognize me?

There was a sharp tug on my head, and I screamed in pain and fell to the ground. My head felt as if there were needles being inserted in my brain at every location simultaneously. My hands gripped my head as if the added pressure would keep it together or at least cease the pain. However, the sensation only intensified, and my shrieks grew louder and more frantic. It felt like I was about to be killed, and my body was going through hell.

But, then everything snapped back into place, and my limbs fell to my sides dumbly as I stared up at the rotting ceiling. I urged my body to move, but it wouldn't obey. I tried shouting, but my voice was stuck in my throat. Something felt wrong, as if I were stuck inside a lifeless body with my mind still racing.

Then, my body shuddered from laughter. "Oh, Lucy." My mouth spoke, and my voice slithered out, but it was not by my consent that the words came. "You are not alive anymore dear. You are mine."

Fear gripped every ounce of me, but there was nothing I could do. My body no longer belonged to me. Back at the party when we were speaking about the Lord going mad, I had an idea blossom in my mind, but I thought it so improbable that I pushed it aside. Only now did I realize the true danger of not fully exploring it. When the keys were created and Morgania's body was locked away, it occurred to me that perhaps a sliver of her being had escaped and possessed the keys given to the lords. If she somehow had, that means she could easily still take control of anyone around the artifact…just as she had done.

Shit! I shouted, as my body wrenched itself into a standing position. My right foot tried moving forward, but I fought against the command and control over my body. However, just as my foot settled back down, the previous pain struck through me, and I was stuck screaming silently into my own mind.

You are mine now, Luce. I am you, and you are me. Understood? Morgania's voice trembled through me.

NEVER! I cried and was wracked with a stronger wave of pain. The power disappeared, and my will started to fade a small amount.

Who are you? The sorceress asked again.

I'm Lucy Heartfilia, I answered coldly, but my answer was met with another shock.

When it receded, she tried again. Who are you?

A fairy tail wizard! I shouted so loudly, I thought maybe I actually said the words, but Morgania tusked and pain swelled inside me again. It lasted for more than a minute, and I thought surely I was going to die.

I cannot let you die, Morgania chuckled. We are the same. Now…who are you?

"I'm Morgania de' Claire," I purred with a confident and bedazzling smirk. Silly me for ever doubting I was any different. I strode towards the door and yanked open the cell. Thomas and Mont, that blasted idolizer of his, jumped in surprise. Mont was quick to draw a blade, but I laughed at him before sending him flying down the hall with a wave of my hand.

Thomas at least had some manners. He swooped a low bow, and donned a kiss on my hand. "My Queen," he droned and stood straight. "What are your commands?"

I smiled at the anxious little weasel that had scrounged me up out of the ashes of a fallen lord and the pocket of his grotesque mother. "Ready the prisoner and have her meet me in the Great Hall whenever I have finished my bath," I demanded and started for the chambers he had prepared for me a few hours ago when he first presented me my new body. "We will start the execution of the mages with her."

Present

Nashi's POV

"What have you done you monster?" I growled, my hands flaring to life with fire. It felt so good to finally feel the heat again, and it blazed hotter knowing that my true enemy was prematurely before me. This was not how the battle against her was supposed to happen. The guild was supposed to be here at my side, but this only meant that I could protect them by taking her down myself. The only problem was I was afraid if I killed Morgania, than I would hurt Mama also. There had to be some other way to get them separated, but what?

"Nashi, my darling," Lucy's voice purred, but I knew it was not her speaking. A thin finger tapped her chin as she thought a moment. "Hmm…Looking through my memories, it would seem that we have met before, only in the future." She shot me a wicked smile. "So glad to know my plans worked."

Shadows enveloped her right arm, creating a giant sword, and without warning, she swung it forward. The shadows sliced across the floor towards me, breaking apart the ground like a knife slicing through butter. I barely dodged the attack, and some of my dress caught the blow, tearing the back off and exposing my lower calves. Realizing then that I was still wearing a dress, I ignited by body and burnt through the silky material until nothing was left except my heat resistant tank top and shorts I always wore. Jane had begged me not to wear it beneath my dress, but I knew it would be easy to hide since the neckline was so high. Looking back, I'm glad I talked her into it. I kicked off the heels towards a corner of the room and took a defensive position. Lucy laughed.

"So you want a fight, little dragon slayer?" she cackled. She whipped her hand horizontally, and I rolled to avoid another deadly blow of her shadow blade. My movements only amused her, and I was beginning to get sick of this witch laughing with my mama's voice! "I think we both know how this ends," she drawled, and she beckoned more shadows forward.

Lucy thrust her hands forward, and the darkness began attacking from everywhere: the walls, the floor, the ceiling… I jumped into the air, dodging a wicked attack at my feet, while at the same time using a fire kick to extinguish the darkness. The shadow I hit shriveled away like a wounded animal, and I landed gently on the balls of my feet. Another blade sliced near my head from the roof, but I leaped to the side. It missed, and I used my fire dragon iron fist to destroy it. More came at me all at once, and I was soon tangled in the darkness, screaming as it slithered up my skin and clenched tight around my muscles. I struggled against the entanglement, but my efforts were for naught.

Laughter bubbled from the throne, and Lucy said, "Give up child. No one can hear you scream. You are going to die all alone while your pitiful mother watches while she's trapped inside her own body."

She lifted her hand, and the shadows obeyed her command as they raised me about five feet off the ground. I continued to fight against them, but I couldn't help myself from throwing a look over to Mama's body. The woman I stared at had no remorse that she was about to kill her own daughter, but I knew she was still in there somewhere. "M-Mama…" I coughed, and the shadows flinched tighter around me until there was no more air. Lucy flashed one last sadistic smile, and her hand closed into a hard fist.

The shadows swirled around me, forming a black, swirling vortex, and as they continued to squeeze tighter, depriving me of oxygen completely, I could feel my magic also being absorbed. I tried igniting my body on fire, but the darkness was sweeping me away. My body was beginning to feel heavy, and my eyes began to droop with exhaustion. I could feel my life slipping farther away, and a tear fell from my eye as all my fears of failure raced into my mind. I guess my parents were wrong. I am nothing but a disappointment.

No! This was not how it was going to end! My fists clenched at my sides, and I screamed, trying to through sheer force of will to use my magic. Flickers of ember sparked around me, but I continued to try. I couldn't give up. I wouldn't give in!

"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

"Ahh!" I screeched, as the shadows around me dropped, and I fell out of the darkness and into the arms of my papa. His regular lopsided grin flashed across my face, and I shot one back at him. Behind him were two lifeless bodies of Thomas's goons. Papa must have used them to find out where we were! I laughed and threw my arms around his neck in a tight embrace.

"Are you okay?" he asked, suddenly serious. I pulled back and nodded, wiping the tears from my eyes. I tried to answer, but his hands pulled me back into a tight hug, and he whispered, "I was so scared I lost you."

I smiled gently. "I love you, Papa."

He tensed for a second, and then with a content sigh, he pulled back and kissed my forehead. "I love you too, Nashi."

"Love…" Lucy all but growled from her throne. She was stretched across it, her blood red dress trickling around her like spilt wine. "What could you possibly know about love, Salamander?"

He stumbled back when he realized who was talking to him. "Luce…" he murmured, but I could tell he sensed something was off about her.

I grabbed his hand, but he didn't acknowledge me. He kept glowering at the woman sitting on the throne. "It's not her," I tried to explain. "It's Morgania. She possessed the keys Master Makarov used to lock her up with, and has taken over every owner of the key. Now, she's possessing Mama!"

"It's not nice to speak of your, mother that way," Lucy mocked, wagging her finger in the way. "Someone should teach you some manners." She waved her hand, and my shadow took control of my body and casted me into the wall at the back of the room. Air whooshed out my lungs, and I crumbled to the floor in an exhausted heap.

"Nashi!" Natsu shouted, his hands blazing with fury. His head whipped around to Lucy. "Where is my nakama? Give her back!"

She tusked and stood up from her throne. She descended the short stair until she was standing mere feet from the flaming dragon slayer. "Nakama, partner, friend, companion, teammate…there were so many words that we were, Natsu. You are the reason for this after all—"

"I don't give a damn!" Papa shouted, infuriated. "You're not, Lucy. Give her back!"

Lucy laughed and flicked her wrist. Papa's shadow went rogue on him as well, and he was soon tossed aside against the wall beside me. A small yelp escaped him when he hit, and he slumped back for a moment. Lucy walked forward, shaking her head. "I am Lucy, and I don't like to be interrupted," she explained, and knelt beside Papa. He growled, and she slapped him across the face. Hard. He went white in shock, and Lucy snarled at him, "Look at what you have done to me, Natsu." She spread her arms out; beckoning to the darkness that started circling around her like the black night flows around the stars. Her pale fingers slid under the bewildered dragon slayer's chin, forcing him to look closer into her eyes as she whispered, "You never saw how much I cared for you, and you never so much as liked me in return. Now, it's too late. You'll never have me back."

My head suddenly grew dizzy, and a soft moan escaped my lips as I fell to the floor. Everything around me grew fuzzy, and I lifted my hand in front of my face, watching as it wavered in and out of existence. "Oh…no…" I mumbled faintly. Papa's eyes shot towards me, and he took a sharp inhale of air as he watched the phenomenon. I pointed towards Lucy. "She doesn't love you," I tried to explain. "That means, if you two never fall in love, I won't exist anymore…"

"But, she's right. I never liked her." His face fell, and he cursed quietly. Lucy started to laugh, but his hands shot up and pushed her back with all his might until she was flung back about ten feet. Papa was suddenly on his feet, his body surrounded by a pillar of fire, and his eyes glowered back at the witch that possessed his Lucy. He shot her a venomous look, and then helped me to my feet. "I know you could fade away at any moment, but I'm not going to let that happen. I'm not going to let someone I love disappear right before my eyes…not again."

I didn't know whether he meant Mama or me. He closed his eyes for a moment to think, but when he opened them again, there was a fire burning deep inside that couldn't ever be snuffed out. I smiled at him and grabbed his hand. He grinned, and I gestured towards Lucy. "Well, if I'm going, I'm going with a bang. Shall we?"

No one could persuade me that his look was evil than Morgania.

Natsu's POV

My hand clenched tighter around hers, as both our bodies ignited with a blazing heat that even Igneel would have been impressed by. I nodded at Nashi, and we separated, going at Lucy from different angles. The witch inside her only rolled her eyes in annoyance, and she lifted her hands, summoning her shadow demons. A war cry sounded from deep inside me as I blasted my way through each of the monsters. Even a little taste of fire turned them into ash, but in their place was always a new creature.

After about the twentieth monster, I shouted in frustration and yelled, "Fire Dragon's roar!" Fire erupted up from my belly and out, torching every last one of these bastards, even the ones Nashi was fighting. She looked slightly annoyed that I ended her fight too soon, but she took a strong stance beside me as we faced Lucy.

She laughed wickedly. "You don't want to fight, Salamander. Aren't you worried that you'll hurt me?" She started to laugh again, but it was cut off suddenly with a scream. Lucy clenched her head, and fell to her knees. She groaned in pain, and her eyes danced everywhere. When they landed on me, she pleaded, "N-natsu…help me…"

"Lucy!" I cried. I was by her side in three long strides, reaching for her. Nashi shouted a warning behind me, but it was too late when Lucy snapped back to the way she was and attacked. A sword of shadows formed around her hand, and I gasped in pain as I tried dodging but still caught a graze against my side. It ripped through my shirt, and I could already feel the blood starting to trickle out.

Lucy rose to her feet, smiling sardonically. "I told you, you wouldn't want to fight me," she snickered, raising her sword over her head. I could only watch as I was paralyzed in shock as it started to descend. A blast of fire knocked her aside before it could touch me, and Nashi was by my side, burning with vengeance.

"Don't you dare touch, Papa," she snarled. Her eyes burned a hot red just like the flames swirling around her body. "I'm not afraid of hurting Lucy underneath, because I know how to defeat you… I'll burn you to a crisp, bitch."

I laughed and jumped to my feet, snapping back to the situation. I was afraid of hurting Lucy, but as long as Nashi believes we can defeat her, I'll be at her side. Besides, I loved the idea of setting this Morgania on fire… I'm all fired up.

Lucy growled, "If it's a fight you want then bring it. Just keep in mind…the brighter the flames, the larger the shadow." The shadows leaped around her like a cape, and she shouted in a foreign language, commanding them forward to swarm us and envelope us like a blanket until there was nothing left.

Nashi and I exchanged glances, and we nodded. She intertwined her hand in mine, and we started forward, raising the fire around us as high as we possibly could. Then, with simultaneous movements, we skidded to a halt, and pulled the hands linked together back. The fire extinguished around us, shrouding us in the darkness as it filled the space around us. Just as our vision blackened, we cried, "Secret Dragon Slayer Art, Fire Dragon Unison Blast!" Flames engulfed our hands, and we hurled it forward, all the fire in our bodies focused on escaping through our hands. It exploded like a bomb, rumbling the building we stood in, and blackening the once white walls with black ash. The fire hit the shadows and bit through the darkness, and instantly burning it to nothing. Even after it burned the shadows, it kept going, blasting a hole through the walls of the guild, until it escaped out into the exposed night outside.

Sweat dripped off my forehead, and I panted from the exertion of too much magic loss at once. Nashi seemed even more exhausted, and she fell to her knees, her hand slipping out of mine. She looked around, noticing how much darker it was now in the room, but when she saw me watching her, she smiled sweetly. "We did it, Papa!"

Warmth spread through my chest, and I grinned back at her. "Aye," I replied, swelling with pride that I had an amazing daughter.

But all sweet moments came to an end, and I couldn't stop the shadow that reached from behind Nashi, grabbed her by her neck and held her high in the air. Lucy appeared out of the shadow, shaking her head. Those beautiful eyes that I constantly marveled at were now black as pitch. With a flick of her wrist, she threw Nashi across the room. The walls were already unstable, and when Nashi whacked against it, her body created a hole, and it crumbled on top of her. I screamed her name, but it was too late. Only her ragged breathing informed me she was still alive.

"You should have listened to me, Natsu," Lucy seethed. "Fire only makes a bigger shadow."

"What do you want?" I shouted, angered by Morgania for making Lucy do things like this. This wasn't how Lucy acted. She was soft and gentle. She would never hurt her nakama!

"Want?" Lucy asked, a thin eyebrow arching. She cocked a hip and smirked. "I want vengeance, Salamander. You made me suffer, now I'm going to make you feel my pain."

My hands reached out, and my fingers bit into her shoulders as I shook her. "Lucy! Wake up! This isn't you!" Lucy swatted at my hands, but I grabbed her wrists and pinned them to her sides. I knew she was in there somewhere. I heard it earlier before she attacked me. I was always there to save her, but I never realized how much I needed her to save me. "Luce! Please!"

"I'm right here, Dragneel," she growled, obviously annoyed.

"No!" I shouted. "You're not Lucy. I need her back!"

"What for?" Lucy asked, not masking the evident pain in her voice. "You never liked me, even though I loved you."

I froze, my heart clenching in my chest as I replayed her words over and over in my head. Loved? Lucy loved me? I was stunned, and I didn't even fight her when she pulled herself out of my grip. She staggered back a few feet, staring at me curiously.

"You said it yourself a few moments ago," she reminded me. "You admitted you never liked me."

My fists balled at my sides, and my head fell once more. Of course not… I never liked her. My feelings for Lucy were never like that… "You're right," I admitted. "I've never felt anything close to that for you." My eyes pinched together as memories of her holding me, laughing with me, and us always being together flowed through my mind.

"After all those times," she grumbled, "you never once thought about me. We were always side by side, but not once did you look at me the same way I looked at you. You've no idea the pain and confusion I had buried in my heart for so long because I knew you never would. You only care about yourself." The room dimmed, and I could sense her magic rising. "Now I'm going to show you what it means to be alone and care about someone who you can never have."

My head shot up, and I gasped in horror as I realized she held a shadow sword to her throat, ready to kill Lucy. I knew this was Morgania controlling Lucy. I knew she would never be this selfish to commit suicide just to cause pain to someone else, but it wouldn't stop the fact that even if Morgania was still controlling Lucy, if she killed her, not only would I lose Lucy, but Nashi would be gone forever. Lucy was still there somewhere, and I had to get to her. I had to make her fight this possession, and there was only one way I knew how to do it.

"Fight me," I stated, raising my chin higher to meet those black eyes.

"What?" Lucy barked. "You want me to fight you?"

"You want to take away everything from me right?" I asked simply. "Then take away my pride by defeating me in a battle. I don't like you remember, so if you killed yourself, I wouldn't be as crushed as much as you defeating me."

Irritation was plain on her face. "Why you…"

I crossed my arms and smiled. "Of course, the unstoppable Morgania wouldn't be able to beat me. She's probably too terrified of losing. What a pansy."

Lucy swung the sword down and away from her neck. I tried to mask my relief, but she raised the sword at me. Without warning, she started to attack. I dodged her first blow, but when I twisted to get out of the way, I was reminded of the cut on my side. I cursed, and told myself to ignore it. Hopefully this fight would be over with soon.

Lucy lunged forward, and I ignited my arm on fire and punched the blade, making it disappear. Lucy cackled and it reformed bigger. I leaped back as she used an uppercut and was caught off balance as the shadow beneath my foot quivered and slipped away. Lucy used it to her advantage and tried slicing through my torso, but I used my dragon breath to blow away her shadows. She was caught in the fiery torrent, and I hoped she wasn't burned. However, when the flames disappeared, I realized she used the shadows as a shield and was covered in the darkness. She laughed, and instead of swinging a sword, she attacked with her entire body. She punched, and I blocked it quickly, only to be knocked aside by a blow to the stomach. I didn't have much chance to recover, and she started honing in on every weak spot she knew. Though we had sparred before, this Lucy wasn't afraid of hurting me like the other one was. This Lucy was after blood, and now I was starting to regret training her. Every block I made had to meet her blow with fire or else the shadow would slice through my skin.

Whatever Morgania did, she must have used Lucy's memories against her. Gramps said that Morgania was a master of using someone's feelings against them, and this must have been what he meant. She is manipulating Lucy's hidden emotions and desires and directing them into making Lucy feel no regret or love but pure hatred instead.

Lucy's foot swung upwards, and I was unable to block it. The kick landed against my ribs, and I groaned in agony as I staggered backwards, clutching both injured sides. Despite the pain, I forced myself to laugh. "Is that all you got?" I mocked. "Geez, I didn't realize how worthless you really were, Luce."

"How dare you?" she yelled. Shadows streaked angrily around her like black flames. In a normal battle, this would be exciting… Ah, hell. It was still pretty cool. "I'll show you who is worthless!"

I laughed again. "Bring it on!" Fire erupted around me, and I grinned maliciously. "I've been saving a special move for you Luce, just to show you how much I don't like you!"

She screamed, and the shadows shot forward in an angry violent wave. I used my fire dragon iron fist to fight through it, but she appeared by my side. I dodged her, and used my wing attack, killing the shadows, and keeping her at a distance. "You have to do better than that!" I called.

She disappeared suddenly, and I looked around the room, searching for her. I knew she was blending in with the shadows, so I had to call her out. "Do you remember how we first met at the port and I had to save your useless ass from those pirates? That's the moment I first decided that I never liked you."

Her hands shot out from beneath me, and I jumped out her reach, and used my fire breath to scorch the ground. She slithered back and disappeared again. "I remember telling Happy actually how much I didn't like you. He teased me about it all the time, and told me to behave myself for the better of the team we created."

A blast of darkness shot out of one wall, but it was easy to knock it aside using a fire punch. "Eventually, Gray and Erza even caught on to it. They both confronted me, and told me that I should tell you. Needless to say, I couldn't force myself to do it. I couldn't tell you that I didn't like you at all. It would completely destroy our perfect team."

Lucy screeched like a banshee, and I almost fell over in a fit of laughter from the sound. He didn't make a move however, so I continued. "I tried so hard to change my feelings. I figured maybe if I spent time at your house, you would just figure it out yourself, but you never did. It hurt to think that I didn't like my own nakama, and she didn't know.

"Then a girl showed up at your house, claiming to be our daughter, and I figured it would be a good time to finally tell you that I didn't like you," I said. I scratched the back of my neck and blushed. "Except every time I tried to tell you, something would happen, and I would think better of it." I sighed. "Well, I guess now is as good a time as ever to finally just fess up and say it."

Lucy appeared before me, her body surrounded by the shadows that snaked around her ankles like chains binding her to the darkness. She glowered at me, hatred burning in her eyes. "How dare you mock me, Salamander! I will destroy you for what you have done to me!"

Laughter rolled out of me, and I smirked. "Glad you finally showed up, because I've been dying to use this new move on you!"

Her eyes narrowed. "You will perish today," she snarled and lunged forward, shadows pushing her forward fasted than she could normally move.

"I'm not afraid of you," I barked back and readied myself. As she approached, I swelled up my magic to its limit, and started my spell. "Secret Dragon Slayer Art—" She screamed loudly, her hands outstretched like claws as she yearned to shred through anything she touched. "Fire Dragon—" She was inches from me, and my body moved on its own. My hands grabbed her wrists, and using our momentum, I swung her to the floor, with my body tumbling after hers. She collided with the marble, her head bouncing from the hard impact, but I didn't give a moment's hesitation. I was done waiting for the right moment, and failing because of my own fear. This time, I didn't let her escape. My lips crashed down hard against hers, forcing them apart. My magic swelled hotly inside of me, and I released it into her. Her body writhed beneath me, but I could feel the magic working. The shadows began to disappear, and the longer I held her, the more she began to melt into me until her tongue was dancing along with mine. When I felt every ounce of her magic disappear, I pulled back slowly, and whispered, "Fire Kiss."

"Natsu…" Lucy whimpered, her luscious brown eyes smiling warmly at me. "How did you—why did you—"

"How could I ever like you when I've loved you from the very first moment I met you?" I explained, smiling at her. "I could make the shadows around you disappear, but not the ones inside of you…" Of course, I didn't breathe fire into her. I just released the magic of feelings, and it was enough to break the possession that Morgania held. "I'm sorry I never told you before. I should have said it from the very moment I realized it. I was always wandering the paths of this world searching, but I didn't know how lost I truly was. I thought I was searching for Igneel, not for what he represented. I needed love, and for someone to never leave me. When we first met, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I had ever met. Weird, but beautiful and strong. My life didn't begin until I met you. I loved you from the beginning, and I'll love you to the end. Even if I only kiss you once, that single moment was worth a thousand lifetimes."

Her hands caressed my cheeks, and hot tears streamed down her face. "What about two then?"

Her lip quivered, and I feared she was about to sob, but then she pulled me to her, and we melted into another kiss. I moaned against her, finally feeling those soft lips working against mine that I had desired for so long. My hands tangled in her hair as I held her closer to me, wanting all of her to be mine, and knowing that now I could finally have her.

She pulled back suddenly. "Natsu!" she hissed. "Where's Nashi?"

Shame washed over me in a cold wave. Lucy probably didn't remember what happened, and I was so busy enjoying myself with Lucy that I had forgotten about my daughter. I looked over towards the wall where she had smashed through. Her small body was still lying there, and her breathing was faint. We jumped up and ran towards her. Lucy gasped, and I could smell more tears falling from her eyes. I didn't feel like explaining right then, so I told her simply, "She was injured in a fight."

"She needs medical attention immediately!" Lucy cried, stroking her pink locks out of her blackened and ashen face.

"Happy is guarding the entrance," I told her. "Dragon slayers heal quickly, and if she's anything like me, she's strong. I'll make Happy fly her back to the guild."

Sooooo...What did you think? It's okay. I'm not scared. Tell me what you thought about it!

PLEASE REVIEW!

Thank you so much guys for reading! It's been a fun first fanfiction to write, and I've loved every moment of it :)