Lucy, Wendy, and Happy were all sitting on Natsu's couch, casually conversing about each other's lives. They chatted about various topics, but the celestial mage couldn't help but wonder just how bizarre this all was.
Just the day before, Lucy was told that her best friend had become Fiore's darkest mage, all because of a time-travel mission gone wrong. So, along with Gray and Erza, Lucy had spent the entire day researching in order to understand how this came to be.
But now, here she was, sitting on the infamous Salamander's couch, chatting with Wendy and his cat. And as it turns out, this new Natsu is nothing like how everyone said he would be.
Lucy had decided that this was a perfect opportunity to find out more about Natsu and Happy, because any information could be useful to relay it back to Gray and Erza. And thankfully, the blue cat made it all the easier for Lucy as he rambled on about his life in Dark Sparrows. From this, Lucy had learned that it was in fact Diesel and Ruby who took care of him and Natsu when they were younger.
"So… You and Natsu grew up in your guild?"
Happy nodded, munching on his very own fish. "Yep," he said between mouthfuls. "Natsu found me when I was just an egg! We've been best pals ever since."
"Happy, you should really meet my cat, Carla. She's very nice, and I bet you two would get along great." Wendy said, her legs politely crossed. Her petite form was swallowed by one of Natsu's black hoodies, the loose top fitting her like a dress. Lucy had one of his shirts on as well, accompanied with baggy sweatpants. Happy had overheard Lucy complaining earlier that she felt like a dirty dog from not taking a bath, and he ended up throwing fresh clothes at them and insisting for them to feel at home and to use the shower.
"Carla! Even her name sounds pretty!" Happy's eyes lit up, and he hugged his fish, captivated by his own daydream.
Lucy noticed how Wendy's smile fell, and the young girl lowered her gaze with dismay. "Happy…" She started, gripping the edge of her hoodie-dress. "How did you end up in a dark guild? You don't seem like the type to be doing evil. And even Natsu… he is known to destroy towns and to burn people, but even now I'm starting to believe he is being made to do that against his will."
Happy released his hug on the fish, tilting his head. "Well, it's like what I said; Natsu found me. But for Natsu… I guess when he was a kid, Diesel and Ruby found him. We've all been a family ever since."
Lucy nodded. If her hunch was correct, then Happy was talking about the day they went back in time— July 7, x777. Her only guess was that the Dark Sparrows had got to young Natsu before Gramps did. That has to be it.
"So… you like your guild?" Wendy asked, ever so hesitantly.
"I guess. The members there can be a bit scary, but as long as I'm with Natsu or Siren, then I know I'm safe! Did you know that they are the youngest mages in our guild to be ranked S-class?"
Lucy shivered at the name Siren. That was the girl's name from Solona Village, wasn't it? She had pink hair matching Natsu, but her darker skin tone complemented his pale complexion. And when she saw them yesterday, they both sported black clothes, with piercings decorating their ears and partially shaved heads. They looked like the cutest couple. Lucy felt anger bubble inside of her. Why was she even feeling this way? It's the old Natsu I like, not this one. And I will get him back.
"Oh, okay. Just be careful, then. I wouldn't want you getting hurt again." Wendy said, her tone obviously disheartened. Lucy hadn't noticed before, but she could now see how much Wendy had come to a liking with Happy. Lucy could even see that she is opening up to Natsu as well, considering the talk they had this morning.
Speaking of Natsu, the front door unlocked. The door swiftly opened and Natsu came through, darting his eyes around the room.
"Natsu! You're back early." Happy said, smacking on his meal.
"Yeah, about that… Lucy, Wendy, you need to leave, like, now." His eyes continued to look around, and he made a beeline straight to the fireplace. He grabbed a jacket from the coat rack, and tossed it to Lucy. "Here. Put this on."
Lucy frowned, and she looked at Wendy, who had confusion drawn on her face.
"Natsu, what's this all about?" She was already to her feet, slipping the jacket over her.
Wendy soon stood up as well, her worried eyes not leaving his sight. "Did something happen?"
"It's our guilds. They started another war." Natsu kicked the pile of blankets Lucy slept on in the corner of the room. He turned back around, meeting them in the eyes. "And what's worse? I think I caused it."
Lucy, Wendy, and Happy were frozen, their jaws dropped from the given news.
Lucy found it difficult to swallow. She would never forget that look of fear in his eyes.
Natsu broke his gaze with them, motioning to the front door. "Let's get you two back now, before things get worst. Follow me, I'll walk you out."
Lucy nodded, a firm look in her eyes. "Okay. We're right behind you."
The four of them approached the door, with Natsu in the lead.
He grabbed the doorknob, but before twisting it, he turned back to the group. "You'll might want to pull up your hoodie. I don't want anyone to recognize yo—"
Natsu was cut short, when a firm knock on the door halted him mid-sentence.
Lucy watched as all the color drained from his face, and he slowly turned his head back to the door. "Crap, no no no…"
"Who is it?" Lucy whispered, her hands on Natsu's shoulders as she craned to see through the peephole. A very large man was on the other side, with two bodyguards on each of his sides.
Natsu pointed to the kitchen, his eyes stone cold. "Hide, now."
Without a moment of hesitation, Lucy grabbed Wendy's wrist and bolted to the kitchen, crouching behind the island top. Not a moment later, Natsu opened his apartment door, peering up to the large man.
"Master? What brings you here?" Lucy heard Natsu say, feigning his surprise.
The fat man bellowed a deep laugh, his voice reverberating down the apartment hallway. "Dragneel, I have much to say to you, shall I come in?"
Natsu's hesitation had only lasted a second before he smiled and opened his door. "Be my guest."
Behind the kitchen counter, Wendy's eyes had widened at the sight of the man, and his ability to squeeze past the door frame.
"He's the Dark Sparrow's master?" She whispered, looking back at Lucy.
Natsu tapped on his chair's armrest in the living room, gesturing for the man to sit. He did, with the four bodyguards standing behind him, keeping an eye on the chair to see if it will keep his weight. Happy trailed after Natsu as they both sat on the bigger couch. The man scoffed when he saw the blue cat. "Huh, it's that pungent bird of yours…" He stated, not in the least fond of him.
"Hello to you too, Master…" Happy mumbled, looking off to the side.
The man changed his focus to take a look at the house."I see you're quite the modest one when it comes to your wealth. You could easily have something three times this size with your skills."
Natsu resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I don't spend much time in my house, therefore I don't see the point in getting anything lavish." Lucy could tell his patience was ticking, although he did a good job of not showing it. "You said you wanted to tell me something…?"
"Ah, yes." The heavy man sat forward, everyone ignoring the chair creaking in protest. "It seems that you were unable to follow some orders on killing Laxus… and your attack on the guild had ultimately caused yet another war. When Laxus came to me alive to tell me this, I didn't know what to feel, honestly. My greatest pawn had stepped out of the rules and brought war onto Dark Sparrows. So you tell me, Dragneel. Should I be thrilled, or angered?" The joviality in Master's voice had dropped dangerously when he finished that sentence, and he bore a menacing look at the Salamander. Natsu's lips pressed together, and his body went rigid.
Lucy shivered. He must be a dangerous man if he has Natsu this scared.
Suddenly, the guild master smiled and began laughing. "Ha! Who am I kidding? You must love the thrill of war so much that you couldn't help but bring upon another one! I suppose that we are in for another treat." The sudden changes in direction had sent Lucy's head spinning. Good. At least he's not angry at him.
Natsu had just smiled as he shook his head, the deep relief in his eyes skillfully suppressed. "You know me too well, Master. You're right, I guess I couldn't help myself."
The man had let out another uproar of laughter, before looking around the room. "Now, Laxus had also told me that you took two hostages. Now, where are those two? Word had spread that they are in your house."
: : :
Natsu had almost lost his cool. His eyes widened, but he bit down his lip, stopping himself from expressing too much fear. He was totally going to burn whoever had told Master. "Oh, you mean the two girls I kidnapped for them to heal Happy? I had let them go just a while ago." Natsu's hand trembled, but he pressed it under his leg to keep it from showing.
Natsu knew he was stepping into dangerous territory. He was lying to his guild master, after all. He stood up, looking at the clock on the wall. "Well, I say we head back to the guild and start making war preparations. What do you think?"
Master had thought for a moment, before nodding his head. "Very well. But just know, if you have hostages held captive, then next time kill them, and not let them go? That is a beginner's mistake."
Natsu nodded. "Of course."
The master took a moment to push out of that chair (the cushion beneath it had become entirely flattened). And he made his way towards the door.
Natsu's heart leapt, however, when he had only counted three of his mindless servants, and not four.
"Master," The fourth one monotonously stated, and Natsu found him standing in the kitchen.
He was holding onto both girls by the arms, his blank eyes staring back at Natsu's. "The hostages have been found."
Natsu knew it was over; for him, for Happy, and the girls. That's it. I've committed treason.
Master's face became excruciatingly unreadable, to the point where Natsu wanted to vomit. The big man turned his head look at him.
"Natsu… care to explain why these two girls were hiding behind your kitchen counter while you told me that they were gone?" His voice slightly shook with controlled anger, and his towering figure looked down at the dragon slayer. Lucy and Wendy had untold fear in their eyes, as they silently plead for Natsu's next words to save them.
Crap. Crap crap crap crap crap—
"Fine… you got me!" Natsu was surprised by how light his voice sounded, and he rolled out a laugh as he bent to his knees. "Don't be so sensitive, chief! I was only trying to have some fun." He tried to sound more like his old self, like the time when he was deeply influenced under Master's magic two years ago. Maybe that would sell it for him. Natsu straightened up, displaying one of his sadistic smiles on his face. "I knew you wouldn't leave these girls all by myself, so I thought I could be sneaky about it! Sucks that plan failed." Master has to forgive him with this act he was pulling. The man had always loved the bloodthirsty side of Natsu whenever he got excited with inflicting pain on others, but that was something he has been seeing less of since his manipulation spell is slowly fading. If I continue to fake this drive to kill, then maybe Master will seem proud of me and won't have to use his lost spell on me again…
The fake act had seemed to work— Master's angered face dissolved, and he shook his head laughing. "Natsu, if you want to torture some people, then just tell me! I could give you one of my servants for you to play with."
Natsu settled for a smirk. A fake one, that is. "We could arrange that."
Master waddled into the kitchen, eyeing down Lucy and Wendy. They struggled against the bodyguard's iron grip, as he approached Wendy, grabbing her by the chin. It took all of Natsu's might to not launch towards him and burn his arm off.
"Stay away from her," Lucy growled.
Master looked at Lucy and sneered. "How amusing." He said, before returning his attention back to Wendy. "I hope you two weren't giving my dear boy too much trouble." Wendy shrugged off his grip, pushing her body as far away from him as she can. Thankfully, Master lost interest, dropping her chin to look back at Natsu.
"I'd hate to break it to you, Natsu, but these girls are now prisoners of war. You can no longer have them in your house. We will have to bring them down to our guild's cells, considering how that would give us an advantage against our opponents."
The thought of having Lucy and Wendy held behind bars unnerved Natsu, and he certainly did not want any of the less empathetic members to even get near those two.
But still, he didn't have a choice.
"Okay. But only under the conditions that I am their guard. I will not tolerate anyone else going to their cell." Natsu stated, desperateness slightly heard in his voice.
His master thought about his statement for a moment, and then chuckled. "Very well then. I suppose they are all yours, after all. But please, do allow me to escort them."
Natsu's relief was short-lived, when the remaining three guards marched over to Lucy and Wendy and manhandled them out of the apartment. They both squealed in protest, with Lucy's feet dragging along the tile whereas Wendy's feet didn't even touch the floor.
"WENDY-" Natsu covered his hand over Happy's mouth, stopping him from continuing his plea. Tears threatened to spill out of his best friend's cheeks, and all Natsu could do was shoot him a warning glance.
Wendy's muffled cries stabbed daggers into his heart, but he was surprised to see Lucy give him a look of unwavering tenacity. Natsu had even caught a smile on her face, right when Master turned his back towards her so that he wouldn't see.
Natsu hated this. It was his fault that Lucy and Wendy were dragged into all of this, just like how it was his fault that Dark Sparrows had now entered another war. And yet, Lucy remained strong, comforting him as she was being pulled away into a prison cell. It wasn't fair.
"Natsu," His oversized guildmaster said, placing a thick hand onto his shoulder. "Just know that I am very proud of you. If Diesel hadn't raised you like a father, then I would have gladly called you my son."
Natsu knew he had managed to crawl out of his grave today, but he didn't expect to be praised. He put on a smile, although he knew it was strained. Before meeting Lucy and Wendy, that Master's phrase would have meant a lot to him. But now, Natsu wanted nothing to do with that man.
I apologize for the short chapter, but I thought that this was a good place to end. I greatly appreciate feedback, so please leave any comments for motivation! Thank you all for reading!