Wow, last two chapters happened to be the longest two, and yet they were very uneventful. I guess you could say that. But nonetheless, escalation begins again! Not huge escalation like the climax or something of the story, but it's escalation! I hope you enjoyed this story so far, and I hope that I can continue to write some decent stuff.
Oh and, just a heads up, the story will continue on for a good while AFTER they get back to Earthland. Remember all those things in Chapter 1 and 2 that you haven't seen mentioned since? Well they're going to start coming back, (not in this chapter but in the upcoming ones) especially once they get back to Earthland.
Here's to a 14th Chapter! (Never thought I'd make it here).
December 30, X784. It was almost the new year and festivities were in arrangement. In fact, Sting had just called Natsu to let him know about the party he was throwing for New Year's. Natsu agreed, telling Sting that he'd be there (with Lucy of course).
Of course, being a party, Lucy felt the urge to get a good dress, considering she hadn't been to a party before. Sure she had those upper class fancy parties, but those were an entirely different thing compared to the one she was about to go to. She was nervous, but relieved that she had Natsu to be with. She didn't think to fear anything when he was around. She felt safe and protected.
Natsu being the good-hearted person he was, decided he'd go shopping yet again with Lucy for her dress. He figured he might as well get some food out of the trip so it wasn't going to be a complete waste. Lucy always got him something to eat when she took him shopping. He wasn't sure if it was an act of pity or just her thanking him for coming, but he assumed it was a little bit of both.
When they had gotten back, Natsu went to sit on the couch to think about the party. He wasn't sure what had him on edge, but he figured it'd probably be the rowdiness and that he'd be afraid of losing sight of Lucy. So he figured he might as well teach her the magical spell that Laxus used to share his lightning powers with her.
"Hey Lucy can you come here for a second?" Natsu called for Lucy.
"Yeah, sure. What do you need Natsu?" Lucy asked, walking over to Natsu.
"You remember how I told you how I got my lightning flame dragon mode, right?" Natsu asked.
"Yeah that night there was a thunderstorm? What about it?" Lucy asked.
"Well I want to teach it to you so if I'm in an emergency I can let you use it." Natsu said simply
"W-what? You want me to use lightning dragon slayer magic?" She asked, dumbfounded.
"It's only temporary, unless of course I use ALL my magic power. But it'll last about a day or two if I only use a portion of my magic power." Natsu explained.
"A-alright. Though I am still afraid of thunder and lightning, you know." Lucy said.
"Don't worry, it's only temporary. Besides, it's your lightning, so it's not like you have anything to fear." Natsu said.
"Fine, I guess since I can't use my celestial magic yet, I might as well use your lightning spell just in case." Lucy said.
"Great. Well I'll give it to you later at the party if we need it. Okay?" Natsu said.
"Sure. Speaking of the party, do you think my dress looks fine."
"You'll look beautiful Lucy. Maybe even a little too beautiful." Natsu said, mumbling the last part.
Lucy had picked out a light blue dress that was strapless, although it didn't expose too much. The dress was about knee length and certainly showed off Lucy's curves.
The next day was the thirty-first. It was the last day Natsu planned on staying in Magnolia, Earth. But he was still going to the party. He was going to say goodbye to Sting for the last time, explain to him that he was going to a faraway land and most likely wouldn't be back for a long time. He formulated a speech and a complex lie to explain why he wouldn't see Sting for a long time, if ever. He was going to miss Sting. If Natsu wasn't with Lucy, he was with Sting. Sting was his best friend next to Gray. He was close with Natsu, some even swore they were long-lost brothers.
Natsu was waiting for Lucy to put on her dress, and then the two would leave. The party was at Sting's house, if you could call it a house. It was a huge mansion, and Lucy even was surprised to say it was larger than the one she used to live in. When they got there, Sting opened the door and greeted them.
"Wow Sting, your house is huge! You never told me you were loaded!" Natsu exclaimed.
"That's because it's not my house. It's the Orland's. I hate them with a burning passion, and they went away for Christmas and New Year's, so I decided to throw a party at their house." Sting said.
"Wow. You're evil." Natsu said.
"Haha yeah. But anyways, enjoy yourselves. I won't have to clean this stuff up so don't worry! Go wild!" Sting cheered before disappearing into the crowd. Natsu took Lucy's hand and guided them to the dance floor. As the two started to dance, Lucy asked something that had been on her mind since Natsu talked to Sting.
"Hey Natsu, you sure it's okay that Sting is throwing a party at someone else's house?" Lucy asked.
"Well I know Sting, and Sting's a genius. He knows what he's doing so we'll be fine. Why don't you just enjoy yourself like he said. Don't worry, nothing is going to happen. Even if something did, I'll be there." Natsu said.
"Yeah, okay Natsu." She smiled while saying.
The two danced some more, dancing so long that their feet began to feel sore. Natsu and Lucy walked over to the food table, and Natsu grabbed as much as he could. They sat down and began to eat.
"You enjoying the party?" Natsu asked curiously.
"Yeah it's fun. It's definitely great for a first party." Lucy said raising a cup of punch.
"I wouldn't drink that if I were you Lucy. I guarantee that that punch is spiked." Natsu said.
"Oh whatever." She said smirking before downing the whole cup. "You were right Natsu. It is spiked."
"Yeah I spiked it myself." Sting said proudly, intruding their conversation.
"Let me guess, you used Jiemma's alcohol too?" Lucy asked.
"Of course I did Lucy. No way was I going to buy my own." Sting said bluntly.
"So Sting, it's been a while. Do you have any family?" Lucy asked. Sting looked down, silently. He tried to speak but the words would not come out of his mouth.
"No, he doesn't. His parents were killed in a car crash last year." Natsu answered for Sting, solemnly.
"Oh. Sorry for asking." Lucy said, feeling a little guilty she asked.
"No probs Lucy! You're supposed to have fun at my party. So you shouldn't be moping. Besides, Rogue and I are doing just fine. We managed to get an apartment and live together. One rent for two people is definitely better than one rent for just me." Sting said cheerfully, as if his parents were never mentioned.
"Alright then. I'll enjoy myself." Lucy said smiling, guilt disappearing entirely.
"Yeah you should. I still owe your boyfriend for beating up Dan. I made hundreds off that bet. So live a little." Sting said cheerfully.
"You bet hundreds on me?" Natsu asked.
"Of course I did. I knew for sure you were gonna win. Dan's not much a fighter anyways, but his great reputation is what got me a lot of offers. I walked away that day with like $900 thanks to you." Sting said.
"Wow you really know how to take advantage of fights, don't you Sting?" Natsu said surprised.
"Yep. I haven't lost a bet yet when it comes to fighting." Sting answered proudly.
Surprised that his friend put so much faith in him, he couldn't help but smile. He took Lucy's hand again and led them back to the dance floor. They spent more time partying, eating, and having some of the spiked punch, but not too much. It was almost midnight by now, and the party wasn't going to end anytime soon.
"Hey guys!" Sting shouted into the microphone. Everybody's attention turned towards Sting. "We're here to celebrate NEW YEAR'S! And right now it's 11:59! How about we have a huge countdown. I want it to be loud!" Sting said, enjoying himself more and more.
Natsu and Lucy looked up at the projection on the wall, both equally surprised that a projector would be in this room of all rooms. But nonetheless, there was 30 seconds until it was the new year.
5...
"Come on Lucy, it's almost New Year's!" Natsu said excitedly.
4...
3...
2...
1...
Before Natsu had a chance to say Happy New Year's to Lucy, she had pulled him into a New Year's kiss. When they finally broke free, they noticed that there were a bunch of people looking at them, because they had kissed longer than anyone else. Of course, Natsu and Lucy had no idea, being completely lost in the kiss, so they were embarrassed when they saw people looking in their direction. They didn't notice the time read 12:04.
"Hey New Year's Lucy!" Natsu cheered.
"You too Natsu" She said smiling.
The party was even louder for the next thirty minutes. It seemed that since it was now X785, everyone was a lot more cheerful. The party got louder and louder. People were going absolutely crazy. Natsu and Lucy were in the middle of it all, having more fun than they thought they would.
At 12:34 in the morning, Sting looked out the front of the window. What he saw made his eyes widen. There were police. Police everywhere. And worst of all, the Orlands, Minerva and Jiemma were there too. He was in deep shit.
"OH SHIT! PARTY IS OVER. THE COPS ARE HERE!" Sting screamed into the microphone. Lots of screams ensued as people ran out of the mansion, jumping through windows and out doors. Natsu and Lucy met up with Sting and Rogue and they ran out the back door. As soon as they got there, there was a police car waiting for the four of them. Next to it were the Orlands.
"So Sting," Minerva said, stepping forward. "I heard you were in charge of this party at my house."
"Actually yeah, it was me. Something wrong with that?" Sting asked, well knowing that there was a lot wrong with it.
"Well for one, this isn't your house. Secondly, you made a mess. I expect you to clean it up. Third, you had alcohol here, and last I checked you were underage. The way it looks to me, you're in a lot of trouble." Minerva said.
"As if. You think I'd work for you. In case you didn't know, I absolutely despise your family. So don't think I'm going to do anything to help you out." Sting answered with an angry look on his face.
"Oh yeah? You want the cops to deal with you? Either way you'll be spending some time in jail. I just thought I might knock off some time." Minerva said.
Natsu looked over to Lucy giving her a look that she fully understood. He turned to Sting and Rogue and asked them, "Do you guys care if you left here and didn't come back?"
"Not particularly, since we're in trouble." Rogue answered.
"Same here." Sting added.
"Alright then guys, let's go. I know the perfect place." Natsu said.
"Where do you think you're going?" One of the police officers asked.
"Umm... Home? Where else would I be going at this late of an hour?" Natsu asked as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You can't leave. You're under arrest for breaking and entering, throwing a party at someone else's house, and underage drinking." The man said.
"Oh yeah, and who are you to stop me?" Natsu taunted.
"A police officer from the Magnolia Police Department." He answered.
"Tch. Whatever let's go." Natsu said.
"Take another step and I shoot you." The man said. Natsu turned his head towards him, smirked, and took another step while still looking at him. The police officer fired a bullet at him that was sent directly towards Natsu's mouth. However, when Natsu saw it coming, he lit his inner mouth on fire, so hot to even melt metal. The bullet melted in his mouth, causing metal to go down his throat. Natsu started coughing heavily, trying to get the bullet out. When he finally did, people just stood there in shock.
"Holy shit dude!" Natsu screamed. "Shooting someone in the mouth could hurt them!" Lucy sweatdropped.
"Normally that kills people you big idiot." Lucy said pounding him on the back of the head.
"Ow Lucy, what was that for?" He asked.
"For making me worry that you were going to die, you big idiot!" She exclaimed.
"Ahem." The police officer cleared his throat, trying to hide his fear. "W-Who are you?"
"Do you believe in Dragons?" Natsu asked.
"Wha-what?" The officer said.
"I asked you, do you believe in dragons?" Natsu said again.
"N-no of course not. They're obviously not real." He said, scared.
"Oh yeah?" Natsu challenged. "Well you're about to feel the intensity of a dragon's roar." After he said that, he quickly released a Fire Dragon's Roar on the police officer. Completely charred, the man fell backwards.
"Come on guys, let's get in the police car. We've gotta get to the portal!" Natsu screamed to Sting and Rogue while he was running towards the car with Lucy. Sting and Rogue snapped out of their dazes and ran towards the car. Natsu got in and started the car. They quickly got on the nearest entrance ramp to the highway.
"I thought you had motion sickness Natsu." Lucy noted.
"Me too. Probably something about your world that doesn't cause me to get motion sickness a lot." Natsu answered.
"Okay well let's get back to the apartment before more cops follow us." Natsu said.
"Sting, Rogue, you hanging in there okay?" Natsu asked.
"Y-yeah we're good." They said in unision.
"Alright well I'm going to take you somewhere unlike you've ever been. You sure you want to go? You'll probably not return here for the longest time." Natsu warned them.
"Well..." Sting began, "Either go there or jail time. And I'm not gonna looking at a bright future with jail time on my record."
"I agree with Sting. We can't stay here because they'll come after us. I'm assuming you're going to take us somewhere that we can lose the police from." Rogue said.
"Alright it's settled then. You're coming with us to Ear-" Natsu began to say until he was cut off by blaring sirens from a car behind him. Natsu growled in annoyance before he rolled down the window and stuck his head out. Aiming at the car behind him, he screamed:
"Fire Dragon's ROAR." Natsu sent a beam of fire spewing out from his mouth, colliding with the car behind him which ended up spinning out. He smirked as he saw the car hit a pole on the side of the road. His mission was successful. He could ge-
"Natsu look out!" Lucy shrieked. Natsu quickly snapped his head forward and saw the pole. He quickly turned left to avoid it, cutting it so close that the right rear-view mirror broke. Natsu recovered from almost hitting the pole and got back on the road towards his apartment. He picked up his speed again, driving down the road which was thankfully empty at this empty hour. Behind him were several blaring police cars.
"Jeez Natsu you're definitely a reckless driver. How can you drive like this if you get motion sickness?" Lucy asked.
"It's a long story." Natsu answered.
"Hey guys, I think they're gaining on us." Sting observed.
"Alright well we're just going to have to lose them. Sting come up here and take the wheel. I'm going on top of the car." Natsu instructed. Sting moved to the front of the car, while Natsu got out from the side window. He was cursing out the car for not having a sunroof. When he got to the top he saw a V-formation of police cars chasing him. He turned around, now facing in the direction he was going and saw another V-formation of cars.
"Sting, I'm gonna need you to slam on the gas pedal! I'm about to roar in the opposite direction and we'll lose a bunch of speed. I'm going to try to take out a car in the formation in front of us. I want you to drive through it as soon as I do." Natsu commanded. Sting responded by saying that he would and he floored it. The car picked up speed until Natsu let out a strong Fire Dragon's Roar on the front car that was blocking their path. As soon as it was blown out of the way, Natsu turned around and blew fire in the opposite direction. The car, which had gone from 100 to 40 in a matter of seconds, regained the 60mph after the second roar.
"Alright Sting, drive off the exit ramp here." Natsu instructed.
"19? Okay. I'm going off now." Sting informed.
"Alright well my apartment is pretty close to Lucy's so we'll have to stop there first. I'm not sure where this portal will put us out so we'll need all the stuff we can get." Natsu said.
"Okay!" Sting said while turning right. "Where's the apartment?"
"Just down this road and on the left." Natsu answered.
"This one?" Sting asked, pointing to the apartment five buildings away.
"Yep. Just park the car here so they don't swarm us. It'll only be a matter of minutes before they catch on to us again." Natsu instructed. Sting parked the car and everyone got out. Natsu informed Lucy, "Let's get the stuff we packed earlier, okay? Be quick though. If there's anything else you want from in here, it's now or never." Then Natsu turned to Sting and Rogue. "Just wait inside, but don't get comfortable. We've gotta get moving again soon."
The three did as they were told, Natsu grabbing Lucy's stuff even though they said that they were both going to grab it. They got back to the door, the four snuck out and looked to their right, noticing all of the cops surrounding the car. One of them looked up as the four were walking and said, "You there! Stop now!" The four, being spotted, picked up speed and began to run. They ran all the way to Natsu's house, and they quickly found the portal. They locked the door shut and headed towards the pedestal the portal was situated on.
"Okay guys, this is now or never. You already to go?" Natsu asked. He received three nods. "We most likely won't be back for a while, if ever. It seems we've become outlaws here. Either way we'll definitely fit into where we're going." Natsu explained. "Okay then." There was a pause.
"Open Gateway to Earthland!" Natsu shouted. A portal started forming, slowly expanding from the center.
"Open up! This is the police. You're surrounded!" A shout was heard from the door.
"Alright guys this is it. Let's go." Natsu said. The four, hand-in-hand, jumped into the portal. The police broke down the door right as they saw the portal vanish. They were too late. They'd never catch the mysterious fire breather who showed up on New Year's Day.