Okay, let me say something: No, Natsu is not abusing Lucy. That's not how I intended it to play out. Lucy kicked and struggled, so she's the reason she fell. Natsu was going to catch her, and nearly did, but Jellal beat her to it. No, Lucy is not going to have PTSD because I'm not going to delve into that, just like how in the real Fairy Tail, the characters can take a lot before they're truly shaken up. Natsu has his reasons for being angry, and it's not just because he had to wait three thousand years for Lucy. One is that she's being rather ungrateful and not exactly helping situations - I meant to write her as more bratty and stuck up, but I keep forgetting to. Over the week that she has been in the tower, she has been rather rude and, again, ungrateful to Natsu. Perhaps he should try to understand things from her perspective, but he has a lot more going on than what meets the eye. Also, I don't know why I wrote Natsu as being so snarky. I was having fun with it. This is my first full-length Fairy Tail fic (save for Reckless), and I like when characters start out disliking each other, then falling for one another. I also like to think that Natsu is more hot-headed than what is canonically shown. He's tense and really doesn't want to deal with Lucy, especially having already formed a rather unfair opinion of her (but that's not entirely his fault). Things will be explained better as the fic goes on, I swear. I'm not trying to make you hate Natsu. I'm just writing how it happens in my mind, and that's snarky and ridiculous, and I'm liking it. I'm sorry if it's caused issues.

Well, anyway, I wanted to get this chapter up since I had an idea for it since the beginning and thought it was time to write it, and I needed to address some of the comments on the last chapter. Let me know what you think! I'm actually pretty happy with how this chapter turned out - for now, at least.

A scream was what woke Lucy, making her bolt upright in bed. It sounded rather feminine and horrified, and it sent shivers down her spine. She got out of bed and saw the sun shining high from the window. She must have slept the entire day after the whole ordeal yesterday. She went to the door and opened it quietly, poking her head outside of it. She saw the silhouette of rugged hair, and a silhouette of someone else, though the only real feature she could make out were the large wings sprouting from it's back. Perhaps that was what screamed.

What could he be doing to that person to make them scream like that? she thought with fear, going back into her room and shutting the door. Natsu was rather hot-headed, she knew, but she wondered how much danger she would be in if she managed to push him over the limit. Another shiver ran down her spine.

"You idiot!" yelled a voice, making Lucy jump. It wasn't Natsu's voice. In fact, while it was low in tone, it was most definitely a woman's voice. "We had a plan!"

Lucy's eyes widened. This must be…

"Erza, please!" cried Natsu, his voice higher pitched and trembling. Wait, Lucy thought, was that scream… from Natsu? She had to stifle a laugh with her hand. "I - I was just… I had to… I…"

"What could possibly have made you think that was a good idea?" roared the woman - Erza. She really did sound scary. Lucy certainly didn't want to be on the bad side of her. She chewed her lip, looking around the room quickly. She wasn't sure how much time she had.

"You weren't supposed to know yet!" Natsu cried, flinching when the red haired woman made even the slightest movement. He already had some sizeable lumps on his head and he really didn't want any more.

"And when do you think I should have found out? Either way, you hadn't stuck to the plan! Do you realize how much was at risk by you doing this on your own?"

"I would have done it on my own if I hadn't known you guys, so what's the difference?" Natsu knew he said the wrong thing when brown eyes narrowed dangerously.

"The difference is that we would not have given you the elixir. We would not have given you the pointers that you most likely used last week in getting her. You would not have made it to the damn window if it weren't for us!"

"See? It all worked out! Why are you still so angry?"

"I swear if you truly mean to ask that, I will rip those wings off your back," Erza hissed. Natsu's eyes widened, realizing what form he was in, and quickly went to full human, moving his back against the wall. He knew she might actually do it. He then looked away.

"Jellal is such a snitch," he muttered.

"No, he just knows that if he kept from me that you had the princess already, I would make his life hell for quite a while."

"True love, right there," Natsu grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. Erza's hand slammed on the wall just to the right of his head and he looked up at her furious expression with wide eyes.

"Don't think about changing the subject. I cannot believe how reckless you are. Now not only will Avatar be looking for us, but I have no doubt that the royal army is already searching all of Fiore for traces of you." She shook her head and stepped away. "Now I have to spread my army even thinner to search for them and hopefully lead them astray. You really need to be less selfish, Natsu. I do not want to involve so many of my innocent people in this, but now, thanks to you, I may have to." Natsu looked down, now feeling rather ashamed of himself.

"There's nothing to be done now, though," Erza continued, and Natsu looked up at her again. "I will lead my fairies into this if I must, but know that I do not wish to, so I'll be expecting a lot from you. I expect you to risk everything to keep her safe, and nothing less."

"I… yes, ma'am," Natsu said quietly, casting his gaze downward. He then picked up the plate of food he had prepared for Lucy and walked to her room, Erza following behind. He knocked on the door (Erza would probably have yelled at him much like Levy did if he just barged right in), then entered when a soft 'come in' was heard.

Lucy looked up at the two from her bed when they came in, having been reading a book she had gotten from the library earlier. Natsu placed the plate on the table beside her bed.

"Thank you," Lucy said quietly. She then stood when she saw Erza. "Oh, hello."

"You must be Princess Lucy," Erza said with a kind smile. Natsu narrowed his eyes.

"No, she's not," he said lowly, and Lucy furrowed her brows.

"Excuse me?" she said, but Natsu suddenly began advancing towards the blonde.

"Natsu!" Erza shouted. Lucy's eyes widened as the dragon rushed her. Before Erza could act, though, Lucy seemed to… disappear. In her place were two small blue creatures that jumped and vanish in a flash of gold light. Natsu stopped, fists clenched at his sides.

"Dammit!" he roared

"What the hell was that?"

"Gemini," he growled, looking to the window. Without another moment of hesitation, Natsu threw open the window and jumped, sprouting his wings and taking off, barely registering Erza's yell of his name.

It had been so long since Lucy had last seen her spirits. When she was younger, she was able to summon two at a time, but she was years out of practice now. Summoning them all her first day at the tower, even if they were all summoned alone, still did a number on her energy levels.

Now, she had to keep one gate open for a prolonged period of time long enough for her to get well enough away that she wouldn't be found very easily. She wasn't sure how long she had been running now, but her legs were sore and her lungs were burning; however, she knew she couldn't slow down now.

That is, until something shot out from the forest clearing she was running through and tripped her.

Lucy stumbled and fell over herself, rolling along the ground before coming to a stop. She hissed at a sudden pain in her arm and looked to see a rather deep cut along her forearm. She brought herself to her feet, hand clutching her right arm, when she heard a giggle from the bushes. Her eyes widened and she looked around.

"Who's there?" Lucy shouted, trying hard to make her voice sound more threatening than it was, especially with how it was shaking. The giggle came again.

"Hello, princess," the sugary-sweet voice said. Out stepped a woman from the foliage, long red hair done into two braids that were draped over her shoulders then tied together at her lower back.

"Flare!" Lucy cried out, relief flooding through her at the sight of one of the palace's maids. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you! What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you, princess. We've all been missing you. I am so happy to have found you," she said, grinning and tilting her head to the side. It was a look that caused an unsettling feeling within Lucy. Flare reached behind her and pulled out the hair tie and her hair flowed free, a strand reaching out to Lucy and wrapping tightly around her ankle.

"Flare… what are you doing?" she asked shakily.

"Making sure you don't run again."

"But I didn't run - I was taken! I want to go home," Lucy said. A scream ripped through her as searing heat enveloped her ankle. The hair around her pulled forcefully, sending Lucy to her back and knocking the wind out of her. Lucy gasped for air. Flare then raised her up into the hair, dangling her upside down.

"I almost had you, blondie. I was so close. I would have grabbed you that night had that dragon not beaten me to it," she said. Lucy's eyes widened.

She couldn't possibly be the traitor Natsu was talking about…

Right?

"Flare-"

"Shut up!" Flare shouted, and a lock of hair wrapped around her head, covering her mouth. "For years I had to play as your maid. I didn't deserve to be treated the way I did, especially by your father. And you are the one to blame for it."

A muffled scream came from Lucy when the heat intensified around her ankle, and now around her mouth. She closed her eyes tightly, tears falling to her cheeks.

Why are you doing this, Flare? You're my friend… What happened to you? The red haired woman let out a maniacal sounding laugh.

"I may as well be able to read your thoughts, princess. I was never a friend of yours. My whole life purpose was to bring you in. You will help with Avatar's mission."

Avatar? That's…

Natsu was right. There was a traitor in the castle. Lucy kept her eyes closed but moved her arm slowly - so slowly one may not have even picked up the movement - to her waist, only for it to be snatched by burning red hair, her limb being pulled tight and making Lucy cry out in pain. She opened her eyes and saw what she had been reaching for dangling right in front of her. With her free hand, she reached out to snatch her keys away, but that arm was given the same treatment as the other.

"Oh, goodie! You got your keys back!" Flare said, taking the gate keys into her hand and observing them with a grin. "Master is going to be so proud of me for getting both you and your keys!"

Lucy jerked and the hair around her limbs tightened, then released until it was only wrapped around her ankle, and then she felt herself flying through the air until she was slammed to the ground. She screamed in agony, but hair covered her mouth again.

"Now, now, blondie, don't make any noise. Wouldn't want that dragon coming back and taking you from me, now would we?" Her hair wrapped around Lucy's waist, pinning her arms to her sides, and she held her up again. "My only order is to bring you back alive. Master never said anything about bringing you back safely."

"Why are you doing this?" Lucy whimpered when the hair was removed from her mouth. The hair around her burned again.

"For years I've had to serve under your father. I had to put up with all of his shit and was unable to do anything to fight against it because I had to make sure I remained close to you." The locks of hair tightened around Lucy and she could hardly breathe. "Whenever I did something wrong, he would punish me by giving me awful chores, and if I couldn't do those right, he would have someone beat me, or he would do it himself if he were feeling particularly good about himself."

"Flare, I-" Lucy was cut off when she was slammed against a tree.

"I couldn't fight back, because that meant I would be removed from the castle! I had to put up with it all for the sake of this mission! All because of you, blondie!" Flare screamed.

"Th-then why… why are you still…"

"Because your sacrifice will bring me peace. Your sacrifice will bring the world to elysium!" Lucy's eyes widened, memories from long ago surfacing quickly.

Fourteen years ago…

"Fare! Fare!" Lucy shouted, running as fast as her little legs would take her down the hall, chasing after the red haired maid. Flare turned around, then smiled as she saw the four year old who could hardly pronounce her name. She crouched down to be more eye-level with the happy blonde.

"Hello, Princess Lucy. How can I help you?" Lucy stuck her arms out and Flare lift her up.

"Sing!" Lucy said, giggling happily and clapping her hands. Flare smiled and carried her to an ottoman and sat, perching the blonde on her lap, then began to sing, gently tucking a strand of golden hair behind the child's ear.

"Elysium - the silent, sighed, lost lullaby. Elysian night.

"Elysium - the child who climbs the edge of time. Elysian night.

"The childhood friend you knew was there, but never saw or touched, and where they went when never called again; the place their loneliness all ends.

"All the sorrow, guilt, and shame; burdens borne and karma paid. In one soft breath like candlelight, dispersed in endless Elysian night…"

"Elysium…" Lucy breathed. All this time… Flare truly was using me… Just waiting for the right time to bring me to Avatar, or whoever is after me… A tear slipped down her cheek. She didn't want to believe it. Lucy looked up to Flare when she was younger, as though she were a sister to her.

"You are the key to it all, blondie, and I won't let it slip from my grasp!" Flare yelled, pulling Lucy away from the tree and lifting her high in the air - so high that Lucy breached the treetops. She was then quickly brought down and Lucy couldn't find her breath to scream, or any strength to fight.

"Lucy!" screamed the voice of a woman.

Lucy didn't have time to dwell on it, though, and was more focused on the ground rushing towards. Right before she hit the ground, however, she was tackled out of the air by a strong force, and she felt the burning hair being torn from her body. Weakly, she opened her eyes, but was met with a mass of black. The arms around her were almost cool, which soothed her body greatly. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy saw a flash of red and orange. She clutched onto the hair draped over the shoulder of her savior and turned her head.

Natsu stood across from Flare, flames burning in his hands, and a furious expression on his features that were further emphasized by the red scales. He was quickly engaged in a brawl with the woman, the both of them a flurry of red. She felt herself being placed on the ground, and her vision was then blocked by the friendly, yet terrified face of Levy.

"Lucy! Are you okay?" the pixie asked, eyes searching her body frantically.

"I'm gonna kick this woman's ass before Salamander beats me to it," came a deep, gruff, and gravelly voice. Lucy looked, but only caught a glimpse of black and silver before he went to join Natsu.

"Levy… how…?"

"I was out with Gajeel and he said he could hear something off and followed the sound. Oh, I'm so glad we got here in time," Levy said.

"Levy, get outta here! You, too, Salamander!" the man, who she figured must be Gajeel, yelled.

"You kidding me? There's no way in hell I'm letting this freak outta my sight!" Natsu protested as he grabbed a lock of Flare's hair and burnt it. The woman cried out.

"I got this! Get her out of here!" Gajeel commanded, and his arm seemed to transform into an iron rod, swinging it at Flare. Natsu growled and looked over to Lucy with sharp, fiery eyes

"You won't take her from me! I will die before I let that happen!" Flare yelled, just barely dodging Gajeel's attack. Her hair then seemed to take the form of a flaming wolf, sent right towards the two dragons.

"Go!" Gajeel yelled, and blocked the attack for the both of them as Natsu rushed over to Lucy. With a gentle touch that Lucy didn't think he was capable of, Natsu lift her into his arms and nodded to Levy, who, in a flash of light, took on her smaller pixie form, and the two made their way back in the direction of the tower.

"How… how did you know?"

"That you escaped? Well, you were acting way too nice. You thanked me when I brought you food." Lucy glanced away. Maybe she should have given Gemini a better rundown of how to act. Though, if Gemini had been more convincing, there's no saying what Lucy's fate would be in this moment.

"I really wish you hadn't run off," Natsu said quietly, his voice level. Lucy looked up at him, but he was looking straight ahead. Before she could speak, though, he continued. "I understand why you would want to, but I wanted to prevent what just happened."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't want you and Flare to meet," he said, and Lucy's eyes widened, looking up at him again. "I told you I didn't know who the traitor was, but that was only to spare your feelings. I may not know you, but after seeing you with your spirits, I immediately knew that you were one who forms emotional bonds pretty quickly. Flare is no exception. I know she posed as a maid, and I can only imagine you wanted to make friends with her. Am I wrong?" He glanced down at her, but she looked away, a gesture that gave him her answer, and he looked forward again. Lucy saw Levy perched atop Natsu's shoulder.

"Levy… How did Gajeel know?"

"I don't think he did," Levy said. "I mean, he didn't know about you. He just knew that Flare was a part of Avatar. He didn't know you were the princess."

So he saved me only because he knew that Flare was an enemy. I could have been worse than she, but he still intervened.

"Will you tell him I said thank you? Please?" Levy smiled and nodded.

"Of course I will." Lucy then clenched her hand and realized she was gripping the scarf Natsu was now wearing around his neck. While they didn't get along, she was having a hell of a time wrapping her head around what just happened, and she found comfort in his arms.

Flare… she thought, tears filling her eyes. I wish I had known how my father was treating you… Even if you still planned to take me to Avatar. She turned her head against Natsu's bare chest, and she swore she felt him hold her a little closer.

When they arrived back into the tower, Natsu placed Lucy on the bed and Levy came forward, human sized, and began assessing her wounds. A red haired woman appeared moments later.

"I didn't find anyone else within her proximity. We are in the clear for now, but she got pretty close to the tower. Levy, can I have you put up an enchantment around here for a few days just in case?" she asked, and Lucy recognized her voice as the woman from earlier. She must be Erza, queen of the fairies. Levy nodded and left to go do as she was asked, but Lucy could only watch the fairy.

She had definitely expected a large, scary-looking hag that would never leave her throne, but what she got was the complete opposite. Well… sort of. She still looked very intimidating. Her rich, brown eyes turned to Lucy.

"The real Princess Lucy, am I correct?" she said, a soft smile ghosting her lips. Lucy could barely nod, but managed a small movement. Erza then gave a curtsy. "It is an honor to be in your presence."

"I can say the same… You must be Queen Erza of the fairies. I would curtsy, but -"

"Please, do not worry about it. You look like you received quite a beating out there." Erza came forward and knelt by the bed. She placed a soft hand over her ankle and the burning pain mellowed out, making Lucy sigh in relief. "Your arm looks bad as well. I cannot heal everything instantly, but I can speed up the process."

"Thank you," Lucy said with a nod. She then realized Natsu was no longer in the room. She worried he wouldn't come back for a while. She wanted to thank him. Suddenly, though, a hiss escaped her lips and she saw Erza wrapping a bandage around her arm.

"I apologize. The cut was deeper than I thought, so it will take longer to heal than the rest of your wounds, but it shouldn't scar," the woman said.

"It's okay. Thank you for doing this."

"The enchantment is up," Levy said as she returned. "Nobody but us should be able to see it for the next few days. It should throw people off who are heading this way."

"Thank you, Levy," Erza said.

"Levy, is Gajeel going to be okay?" Lucy asked as Erza tended to a wound on her head and wrapped a bandage around it. Levy smiled warmly.

"I have no doubt that Gajeel will be just fine. Don't you worry about him."

"You should get some rest. We will all be here if you need us. Just call for us," Erza said after she dressed all of Lucy's wounds. She already felt much better than before, and nodded.

"Thank you for what you did," she said, and the women nodded before taking their leave. Lucy lied down and clutched at the pillow, willing herself not to cry.

Flare…

It wasn't long before Gajeel arrived at the tower, joining the group sitting outside of it. Levy smiled and ran to him, wrapping her arms around him and whispering to him that she was glad he was all right, despite the minor injuries on his arms and a cut on his cheek.

"Juvia is sorry we weren't there to help," Juvia said from where she stood next to Gray.

"Nah, it's fine. She got away, but I don't think she'll be coming around any time soon." He then tossed something Natsu's way, and he was quick to catch the ring of keys he had gotten back from Flare. "Erza," Gajeel said, "can I have a word?"

"Of course." The two went off a little ways from the rest of the group to discuss something, and Natsu narrowed his eyes. He didn't like that Erza had put up a spell to keep him from hearing their conversation. When they returned to the group, Erza's expression was much more serious. Gajeel leaned against a large rock.

"Gajeel said he had gotten information from Flare about Avatar and their mission," Erza said.

"Yeah? Do we know who they're working for?" Gray asked eagerly. Erza nodded slowly.

"It was as I expected from the group of rebels I had been dealing with in my kingdom."

"Who is it?" Natsu asked, pushing off the tower from where he had been leaning and took a few steps forward. Erza met his eyes, but said nothing. Natsu's fists clenched. "Erza…"

"You already know, Natsu…" she whispered, tearing her eyes away.

"No," he said, as though he were saying it to make it not true.

"I'm sorry," Erza said. His jaw clenched, an unreadable expression on his face. Without warning, he flew off, disappearing into the horizon.

The moon was high when Lucy sat up in bed. She hadn't been able to sleep very well, but managed to get a few short naps in here and there, but always woke with a nightmare involving the woman she thought was her friend. Tears burned at the back of her eyes again.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?" Lucy quickly turned to see Natsu leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest. His scarf was tied around his waist again and his long hair looked messier than normal.

"I've tried, but… It's not as easy right now," she said quietly, looking down at her hands.

"I wouldn't expect it to be. You've got a lot on your mind right now," he said, stepping into her room. She heard a jingle and looked up to see him holding out a finger towards her, the ring of Zodiac keys dangling from it. Her eyes widened and she took them. "Gajeel got them back from Flare when he came back."

"Is he okay?" she asked, clutching the keys close to her chest. Nastu nodded, and she felt much more relieved. "And… Flare?"

"Alive. Gajeel said she got away, but that she shouldn't be coming back any time soon. Hopefully." Lucy could suddenly see in the moonlight just how worn out Natsu looked, and there was something in his eyes she couldn't quite place. Perhaps she was making things difficult for him. She doesn't like to think of herself as needing a babysitter, but only now did she seem to understand the severity of the situation she was in. The people after her weren't going to take her to coddle her; they weren't going to sit her down for tea. They were going to sacrifice her. She was not a person to them. She was an item; an end to the world.

Lucy saw him walking back to the door.

"Natsu… I'm s-"

"Quiet," he said. She furrowed her brows almost angrily, but he gave her a light smile. "Don't go getting all soft on me now. I like spitfire-Lucy more than I like quiet and sorrowful-Lucy." She couldn't help but smile softly in return, nodding lightly.

"In that case… get out. I'm suddenly feeling tired again, and I don't want you staring at me," she said. Another smile ghosted his lips and he gave a slight nod before leaving, closing the door softly behind him. Only when she heard the door click did she say in a soft voice, "thank you, Natsu."

I know, another author's note. Yuck. But I couldn't say this before the chapter and spoil it. I'm very sorry for those of you who like Flare. I know she was somewhat redeemed, but she was the only character I could see fit to act in that moment. Also, the song she sang is from an amazing opera by Paul Shapera (though I may be biased. It's the only opera I've ever listened to). I highly suggest you check it out! It's steampunk and really great! I had written most of this chapter when I wrote Flare saying "elysium" and immediately remembered the song, so I had to tie it in. Thanks for reading and all of your feedback!