Gajeel: I am back dumbass's!
Levy:Sorry we are late in updating! It is hard writing this without the author *glares at Gajeel*
Gajeel: don't look at me…Anyways Erza went to go get her.
Levy: For your sake she better be alive in one piece…Thanks to ReianaA, sereneskydragonslayer, and LucyXHeartifiliaXFan for the reviews. :D Please continue to review..Also thanks to everyone that has read, liked, and favorite the story..We love you all
Gajeel: I hope this chapter makes up for the late update….*mumbles softly* sorry..
Levy: Did you just say sorry
Gajeel:No that was is you head dumbass!
Chapter 14: Sorrow of the Dragon Spirit
"Cindy, can we do this?" Sting asked in shock as they all continued to stare down at the keys. Cindy looked up at the guys and sighed. Their faces hold worry and haste as they want to hurry to save the blonde.
"The spirits will make our odds greater. They will be our strength." She answered.
"But we are not celestial mages! We don't have the magic to do this!" Natsu let out. Rogue, Sting, and Gajeel couldn't help but agree with the fire dragonslayer. None of them are celestial mages and the only two spirits strong enough to use their own magic are Loki and Virgo.
"That's why I got these for you guys!" Cindy said as she went through the bag bringing out 4 star shaped amulets. " These amulets gives you the same magical power as a celestial spirit for as long as you want, but know once you take this off the power leaves the necklace."
The dragonslayers eyed the amulets with curiosity as they slipped it on their necks. Almost all at once the dragonslayers gasped upon receiving the power from the amulets. They can feel the celestial power through their bodies connecting them to the spirit world. Cindy let out a sigh in relief happy that the amulets worked. Now to divide the keys so they can be on their way.
"We must all stick together! No one separates from me, Understand!" She spoke with seriousness as she stared at the guys in the eyes. They stared back at her in seriousness as they nodded. No mistakes now. No one is going to die today. Cindy looked ahead through the cave as she placed her three keys in her pocket. She knows when is the right time she will need them. Hopefully the guys will know when the time is also. Cindy then turned to the four dragonslayer's with sadness in her eyes. It's now or never. They must save her no matter. "Whatever happens from here on out know that I want to say thank from the bottom of my heart for you guys. Thank you for helping me save my sister. I will always remember this!...Now let's go." Cindy let out as tears went down her eyes. They immediately held onto their keys as they ran through the cave opening with only Lucy on their minds.
"Cindy!" Rogue said out loud as he caught Cindy's hand before she went through inside along with the others. Cindy immediately came to a forced stop and turned to Rogue's worried face. He quickly pulled her into an embrace not wanting to let her go. Cindy's eyes widen in shock from Rogue's irregular action. Tears going down her eyes for they both know what she has to do to save everyone. "Please don't be a hero."
"I have to." She whispered as pulled away from him running into the cave to catch up to the others. She ran ahead to the waiting dragonslayers looking at her sullenly. They looked at her as if waiting for her leadership. They looked at her with determination. The fire in their eyes was almost saying that they will make it through this.
"Damn it." Rogue whispered as he stared ahead. Then he reluctantly followed after her thinking of a way to help her. To stop her from doing this, but he has known Cindy for a couple years now. He knows by now that no matter what the circumstances are or even the consequences Cindy will do anything to save the ones she loves.
"Lucy!" Natsu whispered out as her scent seemed to almost engulf the cave. They walked through the caves in caution following the scent of vanilla towards the blonde.
"Where are all the damn bastards?" Gajeel hissed out in a whisper as they continued to walk.
The guys becoming more cautious as they walked through the cave for they don't see any of the Strigoi's. The only sounds being heard are the sounds of feet hitting against the ground and the sounds of their heavy breathing. They walked through dimly lit cave still following the scent of the blonde. Then they heard it. The sounds of loud chanting in a different language, the loud roars of the Strigoi's, and the smell of death mixed with the scent of blood. They walked faster to come to large opening still in the cave. Hundreds of ugly reptile like beasts dancing in a circle around a cement table chanting to an unknown language. The dragonslayers stared ahead to see a larger cave a head pitch black with no life. There was a large dark powerful figure in there moving with excitement not noticing the dragonslayers staring with fear.
"AHhhhhhhh!" Lucy's rang out in pain making the dragonslayers freeze at her anguished cry.
"LUUCCYY!" Natsu yelled in horror as he immediately ran towards the cement table seeing the beat up blonde there tied by metal chains.
"NO! Natsu!" Cindy yelled in shock as she went to chase after to him to stop him, but it was too late they already noticed. "Shit! We need to get Lucy and get out now!" Cindy yelled above the loud roars of anger from the creatures.
The cave shook as the Strigoi immediately launched themselves at the crying fire dragonslayers. Natsu franticly ran to the cement table with panic, but it was hard to get through they were to powerful. The Strigoi blocked his path. The ugly reptile creatures with red eyes stared at him with bloodlust and anger. Natsu's eyes burned with fire as his face turned to that of a savage beast as Lucy's yells echoed in his head. He let out a roar of angry as he immediately fought his way through the Strigoi. It wasn't easy for there were more of them then him. Also they were strong. Stronger than he ever thought they were.
"Ugh!" Natsu groaned out as he fell to the ground breathing heavily. His body bruised and bloody also already tired from the hard fight. Cindy wasn't kidding they were tough.
One of the Strigoi immediately didn't waste any time in letting out black lightening towards the pink haired man. Natsu immediately moved out of the way at the last minute the black lightening hitting his right arm paralyzing it. Natsu looked down at his arm in shock not being able to feel it. He cursed out loud knowing he doesn't have any more time to play around. He needs to get to Lucy. At this rate he could die here without even seeing her. No! He can't and He won't let that happen. Feeling his body shake with his hatred fire seemed to explode out of his body as he yelled. The Strigoi watched in excitement as he charged towards them letting out a dragons roar. They immediately attacked back with black lightening making a large explosion.
Natsu coughed out some debris as he moved forward blocking his eyes from all the debris in the air. He needs to get to Lucy. He needs to save her now. He needs her. He followed her scent staggering slightly as he walked foreword. Then he saw her. Standing in front of him through the debris with a worn out expression tears going down her porcelain. She was covered with dried blood and shattered clothing. Opening her mouth she whispered Natsu's name making him run to her franticly holding her to him. Natsu kept repeating how sorry he was for leaving her alone.
"NATSU! GET AWAY FROM HER! SHE ISN'T LUCY!" Cindy's voice yelled out in panic from far off. Natsu immediately pulled back from Lucy to see her look down at him with Red blood thirsty eyes.
"Hehe! Damn I could have played more!" The Lucy lookalike smiled evilly as she moved one hand to his neck choking him while her other hand was up covered with black lightening. Lucy's face seemed to slowly get covered in dark scales as her claws came out. The hand moved closer to the struggling dragonslayer trying to get free. "She will join you soon!"
Natsu closed his eyes trying to pull away. He waited for the impact of the black lightening to kill him, but it never came. Then all at once the hand was forcefully pulled away from his neck. Natsu fell to the ground on his hands and knees breathing heavily taking back the air which he lost. His neck stinging in pain for the claws dug into his skin when it was forcefully pried off. Still coughing heavily the fire dragonslayer lifted his head up slowly to see his savior staring at him angrily.
"Get off the ground now and get Lucy now! I don't know how long everyone else can hold here. Cindy is already exhausted, Gajeel is suffering injuries, and the other two are at the point to almost giving up. Even the spirits are losing this battle. Hurry before their master comes out." Loki hissed as he helped Natsu up. Natsu looked down at the three keys in his hands to see all three of them glowing brightly. "Gemini and Scorpio got out fine before I came out I showed them how to use the amulets power to come out on their own. Now go! We got your back."
"Thanks Loki!" Natsu let out hoarsely ignoring the pain in his throat. He ran forward with Loki, Gemini, and Scorpio covering him if a Strigoi came his way. The sounds of a losing battle echoed in his ears. He never should have run in, but he heard her scream in anguish. He couldn't hold needed to go to her. "Lucy!" Natsu let out as he ran to the cement table holding the worn out blonde. Tears going down his face as he held her bloody face in his hands.
"Na-Natsu?" Lucy whispered out in exhaustion breathing heavily. She looked horrible. Her face and body covered in gashes and bruises. She had dark marks all over her from the dirt. Natsu scanned her over in sadness to see puncture wounds and worst of all the large black dark burn skin over her ribs on the right side. It was sickening just looking at it. It looked as if no amount of healing would ever heal that. Tears came down the dragonslayers eyes as he looked back at her whispering his apology over and over again to her. Then as if she just realized he was actually there Lucy snapped her eyes open breathing heavily as she struggled against with the little strength she had. Her eyes held panic as she stared at Natsu in the eyes. "You need to leave! You never should have come!"
"No! I am not leaving you!" Natsu breathed out through his tears. He frantically tried to break the chains, but it won't budge. They wouldn't open. Lucy stared at Natsu sobbing telling him to leave.
Cindy watched the couple in front of her with frantic eyes as the battle still went on with the spirits and the dragonslayers. They need to hurry to leave Acnologia will come out soon. The red head looked around in horror seeing they must hurry. She watched as Sting feel to the ground by the black lightening attack. Cindy breathed heavily in panic there is no doubt to what she must do now.
"Alright, Cindy! Now is not the time to be scared you have to save their lives now!" She sighed out as she closed her eyes softly breathing slowly gathering her energy.
The Strigoi near her smiled as they sent black lightening towards her. Rogue who happened to nearby yelled her name in desperation as he blocked an attack. He couldn't go to her. He couldn't help her. Cindy smiled her eyes wide open and bent down to a split just before the black lightening hit her. The lightening passed over her shocking the Strigoi as she bent backwards facing them with a smile. Cindy lifted her hands up sending two long shards of ice towards their chest making the two Strigoi fall to the floor in pain. The dragonslayer got up immediately knowing that won't stop them only slow them down momentarily. Cindy laid out a row of ice on the floor towards Lucy and Natsu needing to hurry.
Cindy got on the ice and basically ice skated her way to her sister. She dodged the attacks from the Strigoi that tried to stop her. When she finally reached to the couple she immediately pushed Natsu away freezing the chains on Lucy.
"Cindy?..No leave me..You'll die" Lucy breathed out as she attempted to shake her head. Cindy stared down at her sister in sadness. She looks as if she is to the point of death. She smelled of burnt flesh and blood.
"I am not letting my sister die. Now stop being a stubborn ass cause whether you like it or not we are getting you out of here." Cindy growled out shocking her older sister to tears.
Natsu stared at her in shock as he watched the younger kick the frozen chains with all her might breaking them. Then just when Natsu grabbed a hold of Lucy's limb body a loud furious roar echoed in the cave making it shake violently. The Strigoi cheered in happiness at their Master making his appearance. Cindy's and Natsu's hold on Lucy's waist tightened in security. As the blonde stared breathing faster in fear.
"We need to go now. Natsu carry Lucy. Everyone LETS GO NOW!" Cindy yelled above the roar of the angered dragon and immediately made a run for it.
The dragonslayers ran towards from where they came dodging falling rocks and the Strigoi that tried to stop them. Acnologia immediately made himself known with another furious roar. The large dragon stared right at the fearful dragonslayers with hatred. They took his dragon spirit. They can't take her. He needs to eat her heart. Sting and Rogue looked up at the large dragon in fear. One question going through everyone's head. Will they make it out alive?
Cindy immediately yelled at everyone to run as the large dragon immediately charged towards them along with the excited Strigoi. The spirits ran behind them as they ran towards the beach cave in the darkness. The cave crumbling down over them. Their hearts raced in panic as they didn't let themselves rest. Gajeel ran ahead of them carrying Lucy while Natsu lit the way out with his fire.
"What do we do now?" Gajeel yelled as they stopped in front of the water. "We can't swim with bunny girl paralyzed like this. We are to weak."
"I know." Cindy said as she bent her hands back then forward with force over the water. The dragonslayers watched in shock as she created a large ice bridge to walk on. "Let's go now." The dragonslayers immediately started running on the ice bridge. Large rocks from the cave sealing falling around them.
"Cindy! We will stay here to hold them back as much as we can." Loki said seriously. Cindy watched them with tears going down her eyes. The spirits stared back at her in sadness praying to the stars for their safety as they ran back in the small opening in order to slow down the Strigoi.
"Cindy! We need to go!" Sting yelled in panic. Cindy immediately let out a small thank you to the wind as she ran towards the dragonslayers.
Cindy ran ahead of them as she made the ice bridge longer. The waves around them getting bigger with each large rock that fell in the water. The cave is going to bury them in if they don't make it. They ran as fast as they can without stopping even when they heard the roar of Acnologia. A large explosion echoed not far from them as debris flew everywhere with the wind. Cindy stared in fear. The spirits couldn't stop him. At this rate the dragon will kill them. Cindy immediately stopped in her tracks turning to see the furious dragon far off looking right at her letting out another large roar. The red head turned back to the other dragonslayers to them running still not noticing that she stopped. The ship right behind her. She has to save them.
"Cindy, What are you doing?" Sting and Natsu yelled in panic above the roar and the slowly collapsing cave. They all stopped running and turned towards the red head standing a few feet away from them looking straight at the in rage dragon flying towards them.
"We need to leave now! Ice freak! Lets go!" Gajeel yelled in anger.
Lucy looked up slowly as Natsu held onto her waist tightly. She breathed heavily leaning on Natsu as she saw Gajeel and Sting walk forward to her sister. But Cindy didn't look back at them as they yelled at her to come back. The red head just kept staring ahead to the Dragon closing in. Before the dragonslayers could get closer to her a large wall of ice lifted in front of them blocking their way not letting them go forward.
"Cindy!" Sting yelled as he frantically hit the ice. His yells along with Gajeels and Rogue's echoed as they continued to beat the wall of ice for it to open. For they to break through. For them to stop the idiot from being the hero.
"Don't be a hero!" Rogue yelled tears coming down his face as he led out a shadow dragon roar, but the ice wouldn't even crack.
"Cindy! Stop come back!" Natsu yelled as he hit the ice with his fist. Lucy watched weakly as she sobbed silently watching as her sister turned around to them slowly.
"This is the only way to save you! Now get out of here." Cindy cried as she stared at them with sadness. The tears going down their faces as they beat the ice to be let through was breaking her heart. Worst of all her older sister's pleading face. " I have to do this."
Cindy stared ahead at Acnologia with determination as she slowly closed her eyes leaning back. She slowly walked forward towards the dragon with her arms extended out. Large Tsunami like waves formed on either side of her. She started walking faster towards the dragon soon she started running with all her might. The Dragon flew faster towards her in excitement as he let out a roar. Cindy yelled out snapping her eyes open showing the dragon her glowing light blue eyes. Before her and the dragon collided she jumped up in air making her hands come in front of her together also making the waves come together in a large wave colliding heavily towards the dragon. The dragon roared in pain as he flew backwards slamming against the cave walls. The cave shook furiously as rubble fell on top of the dragon. She quickly turned around and ran towards the ship bringing down the ice wall.
"You idiot!" The dragonslayers all yelled at the same time as they all except natsu and Lucy ran to her. Sting being the first one to hug her holding her tightly to him.
"Ok! Yell at me later! We need to leave now we don't know how long until the dragon comes." She ordered. They immediately nodded as they went towards the ship. Wendy looked over the rail to see Rogue and Sting climb up first to grab a ladder for Natsu who is carrying Lucy. Their hearts raced in fear as they hurried.
"Lucy-san." Wendy yelled in worry seeing how in bad shape she is. Tears went down the young dragonslayers face in sadness. Her mind wondering at what horrible torture did the blonde go through.
"Gajeel!" Sting yelled out as he threw one end of the ladder over the side. Gajeel caught that end with ease. Sting quickly tied the top part securely to the railing. "Ok come up!"
"Wendy when I get on the ladder I want you to let out the strongest wind you can so the ship can speed out of here. I will be fine and control the waves here." Cindy yelled.
She watched as Gajeel quickly climbed up. Then Natsu who had Lucy on his back started climbing up slowly. Lucy stared at her sister smiling as she felt feeling in her body. As in proof she moved her aching legs back and forth in the air slowly. She looked down at her feet happily as she held tighter to Natsu's neck as he climbed up slowly not wanting to hurt her. Lucy then looked back at her sister to only have her face fall in horror. As if in slow motion Lucy witnessed the furiously dragon flying towards Cindy in the speed of Light.
"NOooooooo!" Lucy screamed out in horror as she saw the Dragon claw her sister so hard that the red head was sent flying against the cave wall with a loud crash. No one could have survived that. Her body landed in the water with a loud splash making Sting and Rogue cry out her name in pain as they ran to the side of the boat something held them back. She didn't resurface. Cindy didn't resurface at all. Not even a bubble of hope on the surface of the water. Just a splash when she fell in then dead. She isn't coming back up. The dragon let out a roar as he stared right at Lucy. "CINDY!" She yelled out in terror as she let go of her hold of Natsu. Lucy fell through the air landing on the ice bridge that her sister created with a loud thud.
"Lucy!" Natsu yelled out as he tried to jump down to her but something wouldn't let him. He thrashed against the ladder, but it was as if a force was keeping him there. The dragonslayers on deck voiced out their horror and anger as they found themselves unable to move also.
"Cindy.." Lucy whispered in sadness as she slowly and painfully stood up. She ignored everything in her telling her not to push it that she is still weak. She snapped her head up towards the amused dragon looking at her as if waiting for her to come to him.
"Lucy! STOP! DON'T! LUUUUCCCCYYYY!" Natsu sobbed out as he continued to struggle against the force holding him. He yelled out in frustration.
"Sorry Natsu. I can't have you stop me." Lucy whispered out as her body started to glow.
The wind around her increasing making her hair fly everywhere as her eyes flashed in different colors. She stumbled forward towards the waiting dragon studying her curiously. The dragonslayers watched in silence as Lucy started chanting words in an unknown language as her power seemed to explode out showing how powerful is the Dragon Spirit magic. Her body getting brighter as the air moved around her furiously and the water moved around her. It was almost blinding to stare at her. Lucy's chanting got louder as she started walking normally towards the dark dragon. Acnologia sneered as he immediately blew his blue fire at her.
"LUUUUCCCCCYYYY!" Natsu yelled out in anguish as his eyes were forced closed due to the bright light. He knew it was Lucy's powers that was holding them in their place not letting them free. He continued to yell over the dragons roar as the light died down making it safe for him to open his eyes. Natsu stared in shock to see Lucy still standing there as if nothing happened looking at the shocked old dragon.
"My turn!" Lucy said. She yelled out as she released all her power aiming towards the dragon. She continued to chant in an unknown language as the waves around her grew larger and larger. The wind increased as the cave crumbled down over her and the dragon, but not before the ship was pushed out by the force. The dragonslayers were safe.
Rogue, Sting, Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel stared in shock towards the now crumpled cave. The force holding them in place immediately disappeared letting them move. Natsu immediately jumped in the water swimming towards the crumbled cave in panic. His tears coming down his face as he started to move rocks away digging in. He looked almost insane as he sobbed out his pain as he kept digging in, but he wasn't the only one. Rogue and Sting joined him not wanting to admit to themselves. They have to be alive. They just have to.
********************************************Protec ting Dragons******************************************* ************************
Taiyo sat down on the bar stool with a sullen face. He couldn't believe they left without him. They left without taking him. Damn Natsu. He wanted to go help save his mother to. But what could he do he has no powers he is just a normal human. He would just get himself killed. Taiyo sighed out in frustration as tears slipped down his face. He prayed to the spirits that they save his mother.
"Taiyo, Sweetie are you alright?" Mira asked in her motherly voice as she stared at the small boy with concern. Taiyo looked up at the white hair barmaid with a fake smile.
"Yeah, Mira-nee. I know Natsu saved my mommy and they are on their way back." He lied as he smiled at her. Mira looked at the boy with suspicion, but took his answer. She smiled softly and sadly at the boy. "I'm tired. I think I'm going to go home and sleep." He faked yawned.
"Alright let me take you there!" Mira offered smiling at the boy as she moved from behind the bar to walk the boy.
Taiyo nodded at her as he walked ahead towards the guild doors his smile fading. Then he made an abrupt stop. Mira watched in worry as Taiyo stopped in the middle of the guild gasping out in pain falling to his knees. A large wave of power coming from him shocking everyone in the guild to silence.
"Mommy?" Taiyo sobbed out in disbelief as he felt his power return to him. No it can't be. His memory going back to the day when his mom took his powers. The words she said to him after she took them. "I transferred your magic into my body. Igneel taught me how to do it in case of emergency. I am ready for this, don't worry. You will get your magic back in two ways. Listen what I tell you. The first way is that if I do the spell over again to give it back.. the second way is that if I am killed." Is what she said to him. Taiyo's eyes widen in horror as he realized what has happened now. "NOOOO! Moommmmyy!" Taiyo howled out in anguish.
His eyes changing in colors as the earth shook under him.