A/N: Hey everyone! Here's the next chapter. To be honest, I'm having a bit of a writer's block but I really tried my best to update as fast as I can. I love all the reviews I've been getting from my fellow readers so thank you!^^

The Princess and The Dragon Slayer

Chapter 24

Lucy's POV

I just continued to kneel at my position that Natsu left me at. Natsu was so kind to pass me his shirt so now he was chest naked as he fought against the man who almost tried to rape me. I gripped onto the hem of his shirt tightly over my shoulders as I stared at the battle in front of me. I got to say, it was such an intense battle.

The two dragon slayers were going all out against each other. Punches and kicks were thrown at each other along with their elements like for Natsu was fire while the blond dragon slayer was sort of like some white power or is it light? Anyways I wasn't sure since I didn't know who that man was. It was quite a shock that there were other dragon slayers nearby and around besides Natsu so when they attacked the castle, I guess it was uncalled for.

Both of them huffed and puffed as they stood a good mere distance away from each other.

"You." The blond dragon slayer said between his breaths. "Why are you protecting her?"

"There's no question in why." Natsu answered after catching his breath. "I just do it." Natsu gave him his fire dragon roar which the blond dragon slayer managed to dodge it.

The blond dragon slayer raised one of his eyebrows. He turned to look at me before looking back at Natsu. He suddenly slapped his palm on his forehead and laughed.

"Oh man, why didn't I realize this earlier?" The blond dragon slayer said in between his laughter. "You guys mated?" He pointed at both of us. "The princess and the dragon slayer? You got to be kidding me man!" He was laughing and I don't know why but I felt hurt when he did that. I looked down and tears started to gather in my eyes. My tears were about to fall when suddenly I heard sudden silence with a loud thump.

I looked up and I saw Natsu had caught his face with his bare hand. I could hear Natsu was growling and flames were starting to emit around his body wildly.

"Don't you make Lucy cry anymore you bastard!" Natsu roared before punching him in the gut which sent him flying back.

To be honest, I got abit scared at that point. Natsu sounded more like a dragon. I've never seen him with so much energy, power and emotions. Silence overtook the atmosphere while Natsu stood still as he faced his opponent crashing onto the ground. After reassuring he couldn't rise anymore, Natsu turned around and I believe was about to make his way over to me when I saw something black this time approaching him from behind.

"Natsu look out!" Natsu looked over his shoulder but before I could see if he managed to dodge it, it hit him. The blast created smoke and fire causing me to choke up and cough on it. After blinking my eyes a few times, I looked to my left hoping that looking at another direction won't hurt my eyes and that is when I saw the black dragon slayer standing there.

"Sting, you alright?" He called out for the blond dragon slayer I guess and that is when it struck me. Wasn't Mystogan battling him? If that's the case, if he's here that means he's down for the count too?

"Yeah Rogue." Sting replied him as he stood up from the rubbles. "That dragon slayer is getting on my nerves man." He commented while he rubbed his head. He then paused before looking around. "Where is he?"

"I took him down." I believed his name was Rogue answered him.

"Oh great, what a way to leave a stain on my name Rogue." Sting said but only to get interrupted when they saw the flames that were created by Rogue's attack was decreasing quickly. Out of curiousity, both of them turned towards it including me and there stood Natsu swallowing the fire in his mouth. Upon that sight, I gasped out loud which made me had to cover my mouth. Natsu was eating fire?!

"Thanks for the meal." Natsu said before he wiped his mouth and gave a sly grin.

Who in the right mind eats fire for god sakes? Wouldn't it be hot or dangerous? Then I noticed the expressions on the two dragon slayers' faces and they weren't shocked or surprised like me. It was as if they knew.

"Natsu?" I called out for him as he started walking.

"Neh Lucy." Natsu said with such a determined and strong voice. "Will you back up abit?" Natsu said as he started walking towards the dragon slayers, passing by me. "Things are going to get a bit messy."

I decided to comply so I got up quickly and ran out of the room to take cover behind the wall instead. No words were exchanged between the three dragon slayers as they charged at each other with full force.

I already slipped Natsu's shirt on before I focused back on the battle. I was rooting for Natsu silently as the battle went on. Obviously I didn't want Natsu to lose but we're talking about two dragon slayers that he's currently facing. Not to mention they are really strong seeing that they were able to take down Capricorn and even Mystogan.

I was so intense in watching the battle that I didn't realized Loki was calling for me.

"Lucy!"

I turned around when I finally heard him calling me. I gasped when I saw Virgo standing up weakly as she held her left elbow beside Loki while Capricorn was using Loki as a support to stand by hanging his arm around his shoulder.

"Omg are you alright?!" I immediately ran towards them and put my arm around Virgo's waist so she had support.

"We're supposed to be asking you that. Are you alright Lucy? Why are you wearing a men's shirt?" Loki cut in.

"I'm perfectly fine since Natsu came in time before anything bad could happen to me." I answered him before I went back to my question again. "Are you guys alright? What about Scorpio, Aquarius, Taurus, Cancer, Sagittarius and Aries?"

"I came across them earlier and it looks like they took down the army. If the next question you're going to ask me if the army have any connection with the dragon slayers, I don't have the answer for you." Figures. I expected that actually.

"Natsu…" We heard Capricorn murmured his name and that's when my attention was brought back to the battle that was currently going on.

"Natsu!" I yelled before walking back together with Virgo to take cover behind the wall again. Loki followed me as well.

When I looked over the wall to see the battle, the room was practically destroyed. I scanned around the room frantically to find Natsu and when I spotted him, I could see Natsu was standing still as the two dragon slayers laid on the floor helplessly.

I couldn't help but to squeal. Natsu won! Natsu won! I could feel tears were brimming at the corner of my eyes. I was so happy Natsu did it. He saved my family, my friends, the people in this castle and most of all, he protected me like he promised to. Virgo then separated herself from me and through her facial expression; I understood that she was telling me to go to him. I nodded back in reply before making my way towards Natsu.

I think Natsu could smell me coming because he turned around to look at me and man; he was in such a mess. Scratches and bruises were all over his face, body and arms. What made my heart skipped a beat was that he was still able to give me a smile before finally caving into tiredness. I caught him and I slowly brought us down to the ground. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and whispered soothing words to him before giving him a peck on his forehead.

"You…" I looked to where the twin dragon slayers laid and saw it was Sting who was trying to get up. "Why do you protect her when her father hates us?"

"It's not-" Before I could continue to reply Sting, Natsu grabbed my arm causing me to look at him instead.

"It doesn't matter if her father wants to kill us or not." Natsu's voice grew louder with every word he spoke while tightening his grip on my arm before looking up. "I love Lucy! And because of that, she deserves the best and I will protect her to the fullest even if I get hang the next moment!"

"Natsu…" Tears were already rolling down on my cheeks as I heard Natsu's declaration. Natsu let go of me and stood up slowly. "LUCY WAS THE ONE WHO GAVE ME A LIFE SO I DON'T MIND DYING FOR HER!" Natsu yelled and flames were emitting around his body.

"Natsu wait!" Natsu's flames died down as he looked to where the source of the voice was coming from because I bet he recognized that voice pretty well since I did to.

I couldn't help but gasped upon seeing Mystogan. He was standing by the doorframe as he held onto it for support. Loki was also in the room with Capricorn who was still holding onto him for support while Virgo stood beside them.

"Mystogan?" I stood up so that I could walk up to him and help him but I couldn't proceed since Natsu blocked my way by moving to stand in front of me and gave him a deadly glare.

"You're not going to be hanged."

"Who said so?" Natsu couldn't help but to ask after hearing he said that. It was kind of giving him hope but he didn't want to be spoiled by it without any confirmation.

"Because I said so." My father or I mean the king came walking in with guards at both of his side.

A/N: And that's it for this chapter people. FYI, the story is nearing to the end. Left 2 more chapters to go people! I got another new story lined up in my head but I'm going to leave it as a secret for now. Please leave a review before you go thanks!(: