This is a story that primarily follows Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia past the conclusion of the Tartaros arc. Written for nalu4emily & dragonballwish - Dragon Rage can also be found over on AO3/Archive of Our Own!
Dedicated to: Aspartame Boy, Angel, FairyTail96, Copperreign12, Nami4Life, and Blue.
FairyTail96 - Thank you and happy to see you liked the Hisui addition as well! Hopefully this chapter improves your spirits about Natsu and Lucy's chances of becoming a thing! :D
Thank you to everybody for your kind comments, favorites, and support. It means a lot and I really do appreciate it!
Summary: Natsu, Lucy, and Happy begin the mission to rebuild Fairy Tail as the Celestial summoner guides them into the home of Lamia Scale. Their original plan fails and soon after the trio find themselves caught in something much worse... an attempted takeover by a rival guild.
Chapter 7: Change
He felt a cold shiver go down his spine as the aura of death surrounded him. After breaking free from his cell, he was wandering throughout the Cube's maze of hallways. The corridor he had been standing in was turned into a floating abyss as soldiers on the other side were frozen in real time.
What is going on here?
"Hello Natsu." His heightened senses alerted him and he became aware he was not the only moving object in this vicinity. "This is Tartaros, the bookshelf of Zeref. The place in where my books dwell."
The dragon slayer turned as fast as a viper as his hand went to the heat blade's hilt. The black robes, white sash, the eerie darkness warping around, his monotone voice... all signs that it were undoubtedly him.
"Zeref." Natsu whispered as he saw the man smile in return.
"This guild was formed by the very demons I created."
"So you're the founder then?" He questioned and saw the black-haired man shake his head.
"No. Contrary to what you might think, I'm not the creator of this guild. It was apparently founded by Master E.N.D."
"E.N.D?" The name sounded familiar to Natsu. "That's the person Igneel tried to kill..."
"Couldn't kill is more accurate, Natsu."
"Oh yeah? Well I bet I can!" He challenged as he grabbed the sword and swung it directly at him. "I'll finish what dad tried to do!"
Flames flew out of the blade as he struck Zeref, only to be horrified as the top half of the weapon disintegrated just by being near him. The Black Wizard wasn't even touched. It was like an invisible force field protected him. Natsu lowered the remains of the sword.
"Yes, I'm sure you can." Zeref smiled again. "There is one thing you mustn't forget. Igneel couldn't kill him."
"You already told me that..."
"Do you know why? It's because E.N.D is the most powerful demon I created. Just like your supposed father, you'll be forced into making a decision too."
"What kind of decision?" Natsu wondered as he tossed the broken sword against the wall and heard it clatter upon impact.
"To let live or die. Will you truly follow in the fire dragon king's footsteps as you've done so many times before... or will you forge your own path in history and surprise even me? The choice will be yours, Natsu." Zeref mused as his existence began to flicker. "I must be going now, I wish you the best of luck with what awaits you."
"Hey, what the hell are you talking about?!" Natsu yelled and right after the Black Wizard was gone.
To follow dad or do things myself? What does he even mean by that! Doesn't matter... I'll take down E.N.D and protect all my friends!
Endless hills stood before them as they traveled in silence. Once the excitement from escaping Fiore's royal army had settled, so too did their words. The three friends simply enjoyed each other's company. They enjoyed their small little band being back together again. Natsu had long ago given leadership to Lucy, since she was basically their compass, as he marched on further and further through the countryside right in the blonde's tracks. Happy flew alongside, quickly devouring fishes left and right before his supply eventually had run out.
He was curious to find out where Lucy was taking them. Curious about which one of his guildmates he would encounter first. He hoped it was Gray, so he could test his new trained power on his rival. At that memory though, Natsu frowned. He still harbored bitterness towards his friends who had given up on the guild so easily. He knew it was unfair of him to hold such a thing against them, but his stubbornness was the driving force of it all. Fairy Tail was supposed to be their home. He had grown up most of his life in the various guildhalls they had operated from. It was a place they would defend until their last breath.
Until Gramps disbanded us...
The more he thought about it, the more he realized he was no better then the rest of them. He didn't have a right to be upset with what they chose, besides it wasn't like they had much of a choice anyways. He found it rather ironic. After Igneel's death and his argument with Lucy, had he not done the very thing his friends did? Not only that, but he was holding grudges against them... while at the same time planning to go find them all to bring them home.
"Natsu?" Her delicate voice reached his sensitive ears as he instantly perked up.
"Yeah, Luce?"
"Are you okay?" She asked in concern. Lucy originally had brushed his quietness off as him just following her lead, but after each secret glance she took the more conflicted he seemingly became. His lack of response didn't fill her with much confidence, if any at all, as he observed her carefully.
"Yeah. I'm fine." He nodded hoping to wash her worries away. The Celestial mage returned his nod slowly, accepting his answer respectfully. Lucy knew he wasn't 'fine' as he put it, but she had no reason to pry. He had just returned to her after all. The last thing she wanted to happen was for him to take off again, and this time not return.
However, his reservedness recently had begun to irritate her. She never once doubted his brains, okay maybe a couple of times, but the dragon slayer was much smarter than people gave him credit for. She knew people would change once time passed. Natsu's change was something she hadn't expected though. She used to be able to read him like an open book, but now it was like he had locked himself away and burnt the key to ashes.
He was more aware of everything around him as if he had so many thoughts running through his mind he may explode. She knew something had happened to the very man she was falling for during his one year absence. That had Lucy Heartfilia more determined then she had ever been to get to the bottom of whatever was troubling him.
"Seriously, I'm alright." Natsu affirmed after seeing that sparkle in her eye. The one she showed whenever she was going to do whatever it took to make someone happy, or give in and tell her what she wanted to know.
"If you say so." Lucy relented before seeing him raise his hand. Fire ignited as it danced brightly for several seconds, dimming down and then extinguishing all together. In his right palm rested an object that resembled something she owned many of. It was a key.
It wasn't a silver or gold key like the ones she wielded. This one was completely chrome, giving off a bright shine no matter which side was seen by the eye. Looking closer, tints of red had merged with the chrome.
"Damn!" Natsu cursed after noticing the same thing as her. "I guess my flames affected it somehow..." He grumbled.
Lucy remained shocked as she continued to stare at the item.
A chrome key?
"Take it." Natsu spoke as he grabbed her hand with his own and allowed her to hold it. "It's for you anyways."
"Aye! He's been holding onto it for a while now." Happy chirped.
She stumbled back, key in hand, looking at him questioningly. "I don't understand... for me? Where did you even get something like this, Natsu?"
"Yes, silly... for you." He looked away. "Back when Lisanna and I were escaping our cell in Tartaros. I came across it after we separated." Suddenly, he froze in place as he remembered a certain encounter. One that was more of a taunt and raised so many questions. Unfortunately, he could find no answers at the moment.
"Natsu?" She asked wondering why he had closed up.
Returning back to the present, Natsu grinned. "I don't know what type of key it is, but I swore I could hear it calling out to me. I noticed it looked like the ones you carry and, well... that reminded me of you." He revealed. "So, I stole it. Not like they deserved to have such a thing anyways." Finished explaining, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
They continued staring at one another as Natsu became well aware of an error.
"I'm not trying to say this is a replacement or anything for Aquarius!" He hurriedly added incase she beat him for it. "I just thought whatever this thing might hold that it could help you since she no longer can, at least right now."
Oh man... did I screw up?
"Natsu..." Lucy couldn't hold back the smile that appeared or the desire to hug him for his sweetness. He really had changed and she would argue to the end that it was for the better.
"I meant to tell you about it when I finished talking with, I mean when I was freed, but it kind of slipped my mind with everything else that happened." Natsu gave himself a mental pat on the back for not revealing his discussion with Fiore's Princess. It wasn't anything worth keeping secret anyway, but he still rather would keep that talk just between him and the future ruler. Thankfully the blonde was enveloped in her own thoughts to notice his slip up, or maybe she was just that interested to find out more about her new key, he couldn't be entirely sure which.
"Go ahead, try it out!" Natsu cheerfully laughed and Lucy moved forwards excitedly.
She raised the key and held its reflective piece in front of her... and then stopped mid stance.
"What's wrong, Luce?"
"I don't know exactly how to do this." She explained as she quickly examined it for any clues that could assist her.
"Hmm." He pondered on the dilemma before an idea came to him. "You normally call on your Spirits by their name and sign right?"
"Yes, that's true."
"Does it have any sign on it?" Natsu asked as Lucy finally saw an engraving within the hilt of the key. It was two crossed swords. "Find something?"
"Open gate of the Crossed Swords!"
Nothing happened. In fact, not even a puff of smoke or any visual sign revealed itself to let her know if what she had cast even did anything.
"I guess that's not it." Natsu thought aloud to himself. "Maybe it's not a Spirit?"
Lucy felt like she had been hit by a train, which she would not tell Natsu about for obvious reasons, as it dawned on her. Her best friend was full of smarts today. That only made her fear how the rest of the day would hold up for them.
"You're right! All my Spirits are physical beings and alive. Maybe this key isn't a person!"
"Possibly..." He said going along with whatever it was she had learned.
Without warning, her body began to give off a golden glow as magic poured out around her. Before, this would of instantly zapped her stamina, but now her magic container was way stronger then it had been the previous year. She smiled widely as she felt the key respond to her action. What the blonde was not expecting, however was for suddenly the key's structure to transform.
Instead of the chrome key she once held, her slender fingers were now wrapped tightly around an ornate dagger. Natsu's flames had completely taken over the original coloring as it was glossy crimson. The weight was rather light in her hand, but she could already tell how powerful it could be.
"Wow! That's so cool!" Natsu gaped. Happy copied his partner as he admired the small blade too.
Lucy gripped the dagger to have a better hold on it and did a few swipes off to the side, feeling the excellent control she had with the weapon. She could see minor details in the hilt and was transfixed by its appearance. "It's beautiful..."
"Glad ya like it!" He smiled.
"Thank you, Natsu." Lucy engulfed him in a hug, making sure to turn the dagger back into its key form.
He looked away again, feeling his insides ignite like they had been set ablaze. He forcefully pushed the weird feelings back down. "Just glad a responsible person has it now. Imagine if that little thing is a mini sword what might be in other keys."
Lucy giggled at his antics and nodded along.
He does have a point after all, now I'm even more interested at what type of keys are out there. Maybe I could ask Grandpa Crux later on.
The color of the dagger sparked something in her. She had no idea how he had made it happen and she was practically dying to find out. "Hey Natsu, how'd you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Summon that key in your hand. It looked a lot like Erza's magic." She questioned.
"Oh, uh... it's a new technique I learned from the gift Igneel gave me." Natsu revealed with a large grin.
Her eyes then wondered over to his bandaged arm. At first she thought he may of injured himself during his training, but now she understood what the powerful aura radiating from just that lone arm must of been. It was a raging fire, one that piqued her interest. Lucy decided she had enough surprises for the day and would just find out whenever he decided the time was right.
"Come on let's keep going!" She hollered out to him and ran, hearing him give chase after her.
"Wait! Are you finally going to tell me where we're going?"
He'd been good so far, and he had just gave her an extremely wonderful present, perhaps he did deserve some insight.
"We're heading to Margaret Town." Lucy declared. "Guess who's there?"
"Who?!" Both the dragon slayer and his exceed shouted in unison begging to know.
"You'll see when we get there!" She giggled again smirking to herself, happy to of finally gotten back for their year long absence.
"Hey!" She heard him whine behind her. "That's not fair and you know it!"
"We only have a little more ways to go. We'll stop for the night at a hotel, grab a bite to eat, and arrive tomorrow in the afternoon."
"Aye!" They saluted, eager to fill themselves with some food.
"Perfect! We're just in time guys." Lucy stated as they arrived in the home of Lamia Scale. A massive crowd stood before a stage as bright lights ran all across the flooring. Two girls walked out, with propped wings on their back as they each held a microphone.
Natsu and Happy went rigid after recognizing a certain blue-haired friend. Lucy stifled her amusement at the look of horror on their faces.
I should of seen this coming a mile away.
"Thank you everybody for being here! We wrote a new song just for you all!" The pink-haired girl announced as the assembled crowd began cheering loudly. "Ready Wendy?"
"Ready!" Wendy confirmed as they took their positions and the beat of a song could be heard in the background.
"Give it up for the Sky Sisters... Wendy Marvell and Chelia Blendy!" Lyon's voice echoed across the stage as he stepped off and the two girls began their routine. Clapping their hands, they began to sing.
"I've got a passion burning deep inside my heart, wonder if he'll ever know?" Chelia opened.
"I am no angel and even though I'm sweet, I've still got a fire in my soul!" Wendy continued.
"I've never cared about... fancy wings, my hand in yours, is all I need!" They sang in unison pointing out at all their fans. "We're happy, just you and me! Let's love, let's love, forever~"
"I want to hold on to this feeling..." Chelia beckoned out to the crowd.
"FOREVER!" They cheered.
"In your eyes I'll keep on giving..." Wendy followed her friend as the crowd chanted the same response.
Natsu's figure began to tremble as his eyes were spinning in circles, mind in shambles. "I don't understand why she's doing this..."
"They've got everyone here at their will." Happy looked the same way as his friend.
"Should you both really be that surprised?" Lucy said while watching the two girls sing. "Everyone left to continue on with their lives and find somewhere that made them happy. Wendy and Chelia became great friends after the Games ended, remember? It makes total sense she would join Lamia Scale after Master disbanded the guild."
"That's not what I meant, Luce..." Natsu muttered completely depressed. "Wendy is a dragon slayer... not a dragon singer."
"Aye!" Happy slowly shook his head wondering if what he was seeing was really happening. The song started to get into his little head, however and suddenly he was cheering for the bluenette and other pinkette. "You go Wendy!"
"They got you too Happy?!" Natsu cried out trying to shake his exceed out of his brainwashed state.
"Isn't this fun, Natsu?" She asked him curiously. "This is all for Lamia Scale's Thanksgiving festival. You know how Magnolia has the Harvest festival that we did? It's a way of bringing both the townsfolk and their guild community as one and celebrate."
"Ok, I'm back! My new personal goal is to get Wendy on the right path!" Natsu declared pumping his fists. "You too Happy! I'll free both of you!"
"I didn't know either of them were on the wrong one anyways..." Lucy murmured rolling her eyes.
"Hang on... if Wendy is here then where is Carla?" Happy inquired and heard foot steps approaching. All three of them turned to look at the newcomer.
"I thought I might see some familiar faces in the crowd. If it isn't Natsu, Lucy, and the Tomcat. Oh, my apologies." They announced as they saw a white-haired girl with cat ears atop her head. A tail stuck out from behind her that had a pink bow wrapped around it. "Hello there Happy."
Natsu and Lucy froze like a statue while Happy deflated and fell out of the sky. "CARLA?!"
Across the canal from where nearly the entire community were gathered, a small gathering of wizards had formed in a tunnel.
"That whole stupid town is caught up in the festival. Should be easy picking." One of the mages smirked greedily.
"Let's love, let's love-" Another cheered, easily influenced by the new song.
"Silence..." A calm, but commanding voice ordered. "Tonight the the hammer of judgement will fall right on Lamia Scale. Give thanks." The man with green hair fully revealed himself as his snake like tongue slithered in anticipation. "Soon these very streets will run red with blood."
"Oh my gosh! I've never been so embarrassed before in my life..." Wendy exclaimed as she looked down at her hands. Chelia stood on watching proudly with her own hands resting behind her.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. You did great out there and everybody loved you Wendy!"
They were backstage, the performance having just ended, as Wendy tried to reel in her discomfort. Hearing someone approaching, she glanced up and noticed Lyon.
"Wonderful job out there Wendy, Chelia." He complimented the two. "You have some visitors by the way Wendy."
"I do?" She asked in surprise.
Oh no, I hope it's not some super obsessed fans!
The sky dragon slayer heard several footsteps and cringed.
Is it a mob?!
The bluenette nearly fell off her bench, however when instead of a group of fans entering, it was three close friends from her past.
"Yo!" Natsu greeted while grinning at her.
"Long time no see, right?" Lucy added with her own wave.
"Hey Wendy you remember us?" Happy cheered floating behind the two. Light tears formed in her eyes as she brushed them aside and stood up hastily.
"Oh wow! I can't believe I'm seeing you guys. You're actually here! I missed you all so much!" Wendy's excitement could easily be understood by just the tone in her voice as the other Lamia Scale members backstage followed the situation closely.
Natsu walked over and ruffled her hair while chuckling to himself. "Have you gotten taller?"
She giggled despite hating when her hair got messed up. "Sorry, I don't think I've changed much since I arrived."
The fire mage smiled. "Glad to hear it. Alright time to go home." He spoke as he picked her up and placed her over his shoulder. "Let's go find the rest of them guys!" Natsu cheered over to Lucy and Happy as he began walking away.
"N-Natsu wait!" Wendy called out while Lyon rushed after them.
After clearing up the confusion, Wendy sat on the opposite side of her former guildmates as tea was placed on the table.
"Let me get this straight: you're traveling around trying to track down all of our friends... and then you're gonna rebuild Fairy Tail?" Wendy asked wanting confirmation. The idea at first sounded marvelous and made her spirits rise, but then they dropped just as quickly.
What if the others don't want to reform the guild?
"That's the idea, yeah." Lucy nodded. "I tried keeping tabs on Master Makarov, but ever since we disbanded last year no one has even heard from him."
"I hope nothing bad has happened to him." Wendy frowned fearing the worst.
"Chin up, I'm sure Gramps is doing just fine!" Natsu cheered wanting to get back on the road. "So, ready to go kiddo? We can give you some extra time to get your stuff together if you need anything."
Wendy held onto Happy in her arms a little tighter as she looked down away from their eyes. "Well, uh... Natsu." Her speech dropped down to a whisper. The troubled look across her features fixed itself into a slight smile as she looked back up. "I'm a member of the Lamia Scale guild now. I'm sorry, I can't go with you."
That bombshell being dropped literally knocked Natsu out of his seat as his eyes trailed over to her figure, full of questions. "What, why?!"
"Because..."
"She's clearly made up her mind. So please, don't berate her for it." Carla entered as she leaned against the doorframe.
"How the heck are you human?!" Natsu questioned, getting side tracked from his original conversation, as Carla strolled forth.
"Oh, this?" She pointed down at herself. "I mastered my transformation ability. This form increases both my magic power and strengthens my clairvoyance."
Reaching the table where they were gathered, Carla leaned down in front of the blue exceed. "What do you think Happy?"
"Well... I trained for a whole year too you know! I've come a long way, now I can wait a little while before I eat my fishies."
"How is that any helpful..." Carla muttered before reverting back into her own exceed form. She pointed her finger up at her partner. "This is no small decision, Wendy. So be sure!"
That reminded Natsu what this entire thing was all about as his surprise vanished. His intense gaze made Wendy uncomfortable as she shifted around in place.
"I love Fairy Tail with all my heart... but I love Lamia Scale now too. Chelia, Lyon, Master, everyone has been so nice to me here. I can't just get up and walk away at a time like this." She explained, rising out of her seat and walking over to him. Reaching her hand out, she helped him to his feet.
"You're actually... staying?" Natsu's voice sounded like a ghost as he barely was able to force the words out. Lucy watched the exchange cautiously hoping her best friend wouldn't do anything disastrous.
Wendy's confidence faltered for a moment after seeing the pain reveal itself within his once bright orbs, ones that hardly ever wavered. He had always been brave and acted indestructible, but now those barriers were beginning to evaporate. The fire dragon slayer had protected her countless times, always cheered her up whenever she felt down, and even helped train her in creating new offensive spells. Before she could fully think on it, she blurted a response.
"Yes, I want to stay."
Those illuminated onyx eyes grew dull. He placed one hand on her shoulder and gave the girl he viewed as his younger sister a forced smile. "I understand. See you around Wendy." Natsu's expression disappeared as he let go and silently walked out.
Everyone who had been present were blown away at his reaction as they expected him to literally blow a hole in the roof or lash out. Carla was the most taken back as she predicted explosions later in the night, but his calm demeanor made her wonder if she had seen wrong. Lucy and Happy embraced Wendy before bidding farewell and rushing after him.
They were unsuccessful in tracking him down and decided to head back to the inn they were staying at in Margaret Town. Lucy was worried for her friend at first, but figured he was most likely blowing off some steam. Even she hadn't been expecting Wendy to shoot their offer down. She realized he must be experiencing the same thoughts as her.
What if the rest of the guild doesn't want to get back together?
Lucy had never thought about that even once before. Like Natsu, she just assumed that their close bonded family would regroup at a moment's notice. All they needed was a spark, and the fire dragon slayer had been that very thing. Now though, Wendy's decision ignited that entire mindset on fire.
It was night when the pinkette returned. He quietly opened the door and shut it behind him as he entered. Natsu had been expecting to find his friends asleep, but instead he found the blonde sitting in a chair reading a book. Happy was asleep on the table next to her. She sensed his presence as she placed her marker between the book's pages and set it aside.
"I was wondering when you'd show up." Lucy said as he sat down on one of the two cots.
"Sorry. Had some things on my mind." He apologized as she sat down next to him.
"Wanna talk about it?"
"I just... did we make a mistake, Luce?" She had hardly ever heard him question himself, so that definitely opened her eyes a little.
"What do you mean?"
He threw his hands up in front of him as he frowned. "What if this is all for nothing? Wendy wants to stay... what if the rest of our friends feel the same way?"
"We'll support them. Like we always have." Lucy stated as if it was obvious. Deep down though, she knew it was more then just that. "So, what do you plan on doing?"
"Huh?" He asked confused.
"Come on, you're Natsu Dragneel. I know you aren't just gonna sit back and let little Wendy walk out of your life."
Lucy had known him for so long, he wasn't entirely surprised that she figured out he would want try something else.
"I thought about kidnapping her at first to be honest." He stated as if what he said wasn't considered a serious crime. To be fair, he had just destroyed an entire stadium and got off scot-free.
"Well, it's good you didn't." She giggled. He turned to face her as his eyes lit up momentarily on fire before disappearing. Ever since the final battle with Tartaros, Lucy noticed he would do that ever now and then.
"I won't force her to join us. If Wendy is happy here, than I have no reason to ruin that... or be sad." Natsu smiled honestly for the first time since leaving Lamia Scale.
His kindness crashed into her as she felt her own feelings resurface, the beating of heart making her warm inside. She knew he felt let down by Wendy's choice, and although it frustrated him, he still respected it. Every other hour she was seeing a new side to the scarred dragon slayer and it was making her want him even more.
His dark shiny irises excited her as they both tuned out the sleepy purrs coming from the exceed's curled up form. Steadily, Lucy placed her hand on top of his. They were so close to one another, if she just took the chance...
Natsu's expression morphed into one of danger as he grabbed her shoulder and shoved, sending them flying off the bed while grabbing Happy in the process. Lucy didn't get a chance to question his actions before loud explosions rang throughout the town as the roof caved in on them.
"Hey Wendy, I wanted to talk about what happened earlier-"
"It's fine!" Wendy interrupted trying to make her friend's worries go away. "I promise I'm not gonna go anywhere, okay? Sherry moved out after being married and I know that had to be tough on you. If I go then you'll be all alone again. So don't worry Chelia, I'm not leaving you."
With a smile, the pink-haired girl shook her head to the side. They were in their bedroom and sitting on each's respective beds. Carla was resting on her side on a pillow next to her slayer.
"I don't see it that way Wendy." Chelia spoke and saw the bluenette tilt her head in confusion. Looking up, she met her eyes. "I'll still be right here with all my guildmates at my side. We're like a big family too ya know?"
A certain dragon slayer, celestial mage, and exceed summoned itself in Wendy's mind at that moment. "Yeah... I know."
"See? You miss your friends, right?" Chelia stated lifting herself up off the pillow. "So you shouldn't stick around just because you feel sorry for me. I want you to do what makes you happy Wendy."
Carla smiled in her sleep, but was instantly awoken as the ground underneath them rumbled and shook.
"What was that? That crash?" She asked as the two slayers became alert.
"It came from the guild!" Wendy replied with fear as they raced for the door.
The top half of the inn collapsed as more explosions continued raging on outside. Flames and smoke rose from the top above as several different buildings had been targeted for detonation. They just so happened to have the unfortunate luck of being caught in the crossfire.
Lucy held Happy close, the exceed having awoken after being thrown to the floor, as they watched the dragon slayer prevent them from being crushed.
"Stupid...damn... what in the hell was that?!" Natsu shouted as he used all his strength and blew a hole in part of the fallen roof, before throwing it aside all together. He looked over to his companions. "You good, Luce?"
Her mind had been elsewhere and therefore was not anticipating being thrown to the floor. Lucy rubbed her shoulder, which was now slightly sore. "Yeah, I'm alright. Happy is okay too."
"Aye! Were we ambushed?"
"Seems to be that way." The pinkette answered the cat as he looked out from behind the damaged wall and heard screams echoing throughout the city.
"I think this is a town wide attack, Natsu." Lucy stated coming up behind him. She placed her hand over her eyes to try and scan the area better. "We need to get down there and help them."
Natsu didn't respond, there was no reason for one. They were Fairy Tail mages, helping others is what they did. He picked up Lucy in his arms and felt Happy lift them off the wooden floor. In just a few seconds, they were back on the ground as Natsu made sure no one had been left behind in the inn.
"Get the citizens to safety, hurry!" Lyon ordered to his fellow guildmates as he braced himself, feeling the ground shake again. He would of believed an earthquake was taking place, but exploding buildings told a different story.
Rapid footsteps came from behind as he turned and noticed the three Fairy Tail wizards from earlier. "I'm glad to see you all are safe."
"Right back at ya!" Natsu gave a quick smile before turning serious. "Now what's going on?"
Lucy shrieked as a massive monster wielding a club dropped in behind the ice-make wizard. Lyon didn't even turn around as he struck his hand out and froze the beast in a single maneuver.
"All of a sudden a horde of these guys appeared out of nowhere." He stated as they watched the ice crystal in concern.
"How many are we talking here?" The fire dragon slayer questioned wanting an exact amount.
"No idea, this is no little raid though. More like an invasion."
"I bet the Orochi's Fin guild is behind this, Wendy!" Chelia presumed. "Those jerks have been trying to take us down forever!"
The sky dragon and god slayer appeared before the group of mages as they assessed the situation. "They're so obsessed with attacking our guild they don't care the number of people they hurt." She added.
"So... these punks need put in their place is what I'm hearing?" Natsu grinned as he felt a fire inside dying to be let loose.
"In a manner of speaking, yeah..." Chelia inclined a little timid by his eagerness to throw down.
"Natsu we have a problem though." Wendy started explaining a certain dilemma. "Since Jura isn't here right now, we're missing our strongest member."
"The big festival gave them the perfect opportunity to surprise us when we least expected it." Carla mentioned while floating above the bluenette.
"They're gonna pay for this." Lyon swore.
"Damn straight." The light silver-haired man heard a growl off to his right. Natsu's own bangs had sealed away his eyes, ones that were now open and blazing with fury as he looked back up. "These clowns almost hurt Lucy and Happy. I'll make sure it's the last move they try on you guys."
More of Lamia Scale joined them quickly as Yuka and Toby returned from their scouting expedition. "Lyon this is only the first wave! There's a massive swarm of them coming from the east!"
"Yep, like a hundred thousand!" Toby concluded as everyone's expression changed into looks of horror. All but one.
"How can there be that many?" Lucy asked in fear as her stance faltered. She could hear the hustling movements from the incoming giants and their savage battle cries.
"This is going to be an awesome show! Perfect spot to watch this all go down too." One of the Orochi's Fin mages smugly spoke.
"Yeah! This gonna be like taking candy from a baby."
While the rivals of Lamia Scale continued to laugh at the foreshadowed annihilation, the leader of the guild finished off his lollipop as he threw the stick into the ground. His face turned sinister as his eye darkened into a deep yellow. "They're going to waste all their precious magic power dealing with my monsters... and that's when we'll crush them!"
Giants, wolves, all types of different feral brutes marched or ran towards Margaret Town. They were formed in two different directions as they split and began to go for different sides of the city.
"It seems they have a monster tamer on their side." Master Ooba summarized as she spun her finger around wanting to spin whoever it might be.
"If we can just take him out..." Lyon thought aloud.
"With so many of the monsters swarming in it'll prove impossible." Yuka said with fading confidence.
"There has to be a way..." The molder magic wizard spoke determinedly as he saw Natsu smiling deviously.
"We don't have to go through them to get to the guy... we can just go up!" He revealed pointing into the sky.
"Right over their heads!" Happy cheered pumping his fist.
"That's true." Wendy nodded as a plan began to be set in motion between them all. Natsu and Happy would fly with Wendy and Carla above the giant horde in order to bypass the monsters and reach the one who summoned them.
"I'm all fired up now!" Natsu yelled. "Let's go Happy!"
"Aye, into the sky we go!" The blue exceed flew down to lift his friend up but was surprised to feel small, soft hands wrap around his form. The person he had latched onto still sported pink hair... but not the one he originally was going for.
"Sorry about that, Natsu!" Chelia apologized as Happy flew up to reach the other dragon slayer who was already airborne.
"Chelia?!" Wendy questioned confused in why Natsu wasn't with them.
"Come on Happy we've got to keep going!" The god slayer commanded as he increased his speed.
"Umm... aye?" Happy responded unsurely.
"They're attacking our guild so it's up to us to protect and save it ourselves!" Wendy smiled, agreeing with her friend as they tried pinpointing exactly where the man controlling the monsters was at.
Her foot print left a mark across the front of his face as Natsu's body twitched on the ground. "She just... catnapped Happy."
Lucy felt a rise of magic power and winced.
This isn't going to be good.
"Oh no! The monsters have entered the city!" Lyon announced to everyone in the wide rang area. "We must hold them off at all costs!" He said and prepared himself for a grueling battle.
"Right behind you." Lucy accepted her decision to partake in protecting the city. Suddenly, an angry shout was heard as the fire dragon slayer was back on his feet.
"How dare you steal Happy from me!" He roared and grit his teeth.
"What?!" Lucy wondered in disbelief at how fast he had recovered and what was with his sudden anger.
"I'm coming for ya buddy!" Natsu proclaimed as he drove himself right through the frontline of the horde. "Get out of my way!" He punched the first wolf he saw right in the nose as he blasted the beast and sent it careening into his brethren. More explosions occurred, this time being the cause by a single wizard, as Natsu rampaged his way on the ground. Amazingly, he had yet to use his dragon slaying magic. This was only his brute strength and speed.
Lucy gasped and Lyon smiled. Clearing nearly half of the monsters himself, Natsu finally got serious and released flames from underneath him as he launched into the sky... right into the chin of a giant. The club wielding freak's lights were instantly out before he even hit the ground.
"Move it!"
Those who didn't move on their own, which was very few as they were unintelligent creatures for the most part, were forcefully moved by the dragon wizard as he dealt an enormous hole in their once powerful numbered army.
"That's insane..." Yuka said flabbergasted.
"He's more of a monster then the actual monsters he's destroying!" Toby backed as Lucy giggled into her hand.
Go take 'em down, Natsu.
"Look there!" Carla pointed out as she spotted the one in charge of this destruction.
"I don't see anything." Happy stated trying to find him.
"I do! Get us closer Happy!" Chelia ordered and received his trademark and go to line.
A twinkle in the sky caught the guild members' attention as the two exceeds released the grip on the two girls and let them free fall towards the ground.
"Who's that?!" One mage asked and not five seconds later he was unconscious as Wendy and Chelia landed on him.
"Sky Sisters attack!"
The teamed up slayers split off as Wendy rolled to her right and Chelia to her left.
"Sky Dragon's..."
"Sky God's..."
"ROAR!"
"BELLOW!"
The light and dark air attacks from both girls merged together as they discarded several more Orochi's Fin goons, ironically sending them flying into the sky.
"Are you kidding me? They're just two little girls, get them!" One of the higher ups instructed as more wizards rushed forwards.
"You should learn to count!" Carla remarked as she slammed her foot into the man's jaw and sent him tumbling down the hill.
Happy, who had been startled by how powerful Carla was now, pulled a fish out of his bag and laid it before him.
"I guess it's my turn to show them how much I've trained." He whispered and heard the white exceed's angry shout.
"That's not gonna help anything... just go and hide somewhere!"
On the far side from Carla and Happy, Chelia had been backed into a corner after dealing with a different group.
"We got her now boys!" One of them laughed as they advanced on the god slayer before they were tossed into the side of a hill and knocked out of the fight.
"Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!"
"Thanks for the save!" She smiled appreciatively at her friend who reciprocated it. "I'll go take out the monster tamer!"
"Okay, but promise you'll be careful Chelia!" Wendy called as the girl flared her magic around her.
"I can't let him get the chance for his puppets to reach the city!"
"Sky God's Dance!"
Easily tearing apart some members acting as guards she fought her way closer to their leader. Wendy took notice of two shadows, realizing one was the man they were aiming for... but the second man made her become terrified. Her nose instantly recognized his scent as she tried to calm herself down.
If I'm correct, this just got a lot harder.
"Ready?" Lyon asked his friends and felt different magic auras light up signifying they were ready for battle.
"Let's do this!" Lucy grinned.
"Open gate of the Lion: Loke!"
"Your knight in shining armor... is here." The leader of the Zodiac smirked as he smacked his fists together. "What's the situation, princess?"
She rolled her eyes at his usual behavior and pointed his key at her chest. "Star Dress: Leo Form!"
Lucy's normal attire transformed into a black and gold dress as the scared town became hopeful seeing more backup coming to their aid.
"A requip spell?" Master Ooba questioned the girl wondering if it was similar to Erza's magic.
"Not exactly." The blonde explained more about the power up. "When I summon one of my Celestial Spirits, depending on what form I take, I can use some of their magic as well."
"You look great in that outfit, Lucy." Loke complimented with hearts in his eyes as he swooned over her beauty.
"Cut it out..." She frowned trying to get their focus back on what mattered. "Now I can enter the battle too!"
"In a dress?!" The animal featured man said with doubt.
"Glad to have you by our side." Lyon smiled and immediately dropped it as he was forced to deal with the invading monsters.
"Ice-Make: Eagle!"
His squad of created birds launched themselves into the beasts and overpowered them without a moment to spare.
"Stay on guard! We have to hope Wendy and Chelia... and Natsu, can take out the one in charge before it's too late!"
Yuka used his wave magic and Toby his super sharp claws as they managed to hold the creatures off for the time being.
"Regulus Impact!"
Loke's glowing fists bombarded whatever wolf or giant crossed his path as his hits were brutal and devastating. A wolf snuck by him and he turned around to see one of Lucy's legs shining with his brilliant gold magic.
"Regulus Lucy Kick!"
The beast was hurdled back into the swarm as Loke chuckled under his breath.
"She's amazing."
"Sky Dragon's Talon!"
"Sky God's Boreas!"
Wendy and Chelia closed in on their target as each spell they cast took out more and more of Orochi's Fin's remaining members.
Catching sight of the monster tamer, Chelia prepared to end this pointless invasion here and now. A bright flash lit up the sky as Wendy shoved her fellow slayer out the way, right in the nick of time too.
"Y-You saved me again..." Chelia stuttered.
"I always will. We don't need to be reckless right now." Wendy replied as the two lay on the ground.
Above them, the dragon slayer could hear the two men conversing.
"Shall I step in?" A grating voice revealed itself as the monster tamer shook his head to the side.
"No, these pests are not worth your time." To his surprise though, the man's eyes widened as if he sensed something alarming. "What's wrong?"
"That girl! I've seen her somewhere before." His second in command revealed as he walked forward.
"What? You're sure about that?"
The powerful wizard ignored his leader in the moment as he laughed. "Let's see if you can fly now." He stated as his hand began warping the air around him.
Streaks of purple passed by him and shot out in different locations. Rocks were overwhelmingly split in half as the magic he possessed leaked out. Wendy and Chelia were thrown back by the powerful gusts, Carla encountering the same issue after just having reached the two girls.
"What's going on?!"
Happy, who had been hiding behind a rock for the time being unable to be of any use, was tossed into the sky.
"The ground just blew up!" He answered his friend as he crashed back down to earth and just barely avoided being skewered by a now jagged looking rock.
Happy's wails were barely heard as the ground rose the three girls up from his reach. Wendy's fears were confirmed as she dreadfully made eye contact with the former deputy commander of Grimoire Heart.
Bluenote Stinger.
"What's someone from Grimoire Heart doing here?!" Carla demanded before an abundance of pressure drove her further into the ground. Wendy and Chelia found themselves in the same situation as their friend, finding it impossible to move.
"W-We're stuck." Wendy cried out after continuously being weighed down from an unknown force.
"With the power of my gravity I could squash all three of you like insects!" Bluenote boasted. "Let me show you a demonstration."
True to his words, he used his gravity magic and began crushing members of Orochi's Fin. The monster tamer registered this and walked up next to the man.
"Sir, please restrain yourself. You're crushing my men as well." He pleaded, but quickly backed away as Bluenote leveled his glare at him. "Never mind do as you wish..."
"Ready to begin?" The hired mage probed as his gravity increased tenfold. Chelia grimaced under the intense oppression and squealed when she all of a sudden felt herself be raised into the air.
Huh?!
"Chelia!"
A light chuckle was heard as a hand held the darker pink-haired girl up by her collar. "Found ya!"
"Natsu!" Happy cheered, thrilled to see his best friend's arrival.
"You made it!" Wendy beamed.
"How can that guy stand" One of the few guild members left questioned in shock.
"It's like the gravity doesn't even affect him!"
Ignoring everyone around him, the fire dragon slayer zoned his sights on the girl in his grasp. "What's the big idea with stealing Happy?!"
"I'm sorry about that..." Chelia lowered her head awkwardly.
"Natsu, now is not the time for silly games!" Carla reprimanded. "We have more bigger problems to deal with at the moment!"
"Do you see who that is? It's the guy who nearly killed us from Tenrou Island!" Wendy watched his eyes glance over to the man she was referring to.
"It's Bluenote Stinger!" Happy confirmed, now behind his partner as the gravity had lessened courtesy of the former dark mage's dumbstruck state.
"Oh yeah?" Natsu examined him for a few seconds before grinning. "It is him."
The rain poured down as he felt himself running on empty. His energy was almost completely depleted and here this man stood without looking like he had even broken a sweat. Natsu knew he had to take him out while he still had the chance. He wouldn't let this guy harm his friends if he could prevent it.
"Can you fly, boy?"
"Fire Dragon's ROAR!"
With ease Bluenote bypassed the spell and in a single swipe he flung the dragon slayer far away from him, snarling. "Cocky little brat!"
"He's familiar too... nothing but a pest. Still... seeing his very existence here fills me with rage!" Bluenote's rampage began as his gravity multiplied and forced even the monster tamer onto his knees.
I need to take him out quickly!
He raced off down the mountain ready to finish the foolish wizard off. "I'll crush you!"
His fist impacted the terrain as more destruction took place around them, giving off a similar feel to one place seven years ago. The dragon slayer's eyes widened at the intensity, faintly hearing the crackle of thunder from back on Tenrou. Natsu's own hand ignited in flames as he remembered the beatdown he was given.
It's time I got payback.
"So you're the one responsible for this whole thing... aren't ya!" The fire mage automatically assumed, not really caring whether or not if he actually was. "You almost hurt my friends, now I'm gonna hurt you!"
Bluenote fired an attack, but Natsu lifted the ground up using his fire to block it. Chelia was bewildered by his power, one that had excelled since the last time she saw him in action during the invasion of Fiore by the manipulated dragons. He set her down against a rock gently. Marching towards the man his tone turned darker.
"You think you're greater than everyone else? Let me show you why you never should have messed with Fairy Tail!" Natsu expressed angrily as he growled.
Fairy Tail, that's it!
The realization struck Bluenote as he finally understood why the man was familiar. Natsu's pink hair changed to orange and his sharp fangs turned into a confident smirk.
That's why I know them... Gildarts Clive!
His vision repaired itself as he saw the dragon slayer moving at the speed of light and jumping into the sky. Holding his arms out in front of him, Bluenote formed a spiraling black and purple sphere ready to annihilate the mage once and for all.
"Black Hole!"
"You're not getting Fairy Glitter and guess what... I can fly!" Natsu shouted while airborne as a tremendous amount of fire was expelled from his jaws.
"Fire Dragon King's ROAR!"
His fury and the might of his new abilities were left for all present to see as the roar blew right through Bluenote's black hole like a missile. His eyes enlarged before he was blasted by the flames at full force as the spell charred whatever it touched. The night sky lit up at the illuminate declaration as final wisps of fire left the dragon slayer's mouth.
The monster tamer and his allies stood frozen in denial as Natsu's furious eyes relaxed and he waited patiently for the smoke to clear. When it did, the sight before them all was something. Covered in burns and rock solid like a statue, Bluenote Stinger was incapacitated as he collapsed to the ground and remained motionless.
Wendy, Chelia, and Carla were stunned by the way the dragon slayer had managed to finish the man off with just one attack. The bluenette rose up as the gravity dilemma had finally been dealt with.
Oh my goodness! He's only trained a year and Natsu is now this strong?!
"Look over there!" Happy brought the girl out of her thoughts as all four of them followed his paw. "The bad guys are doing something!"
Standing in utter fright, the leader of Orochi's Fin waved a white flag as he only had himself and five guildmates left, plus his second in command had just been one-shotted. "We surrender." He stated.
"Looks like the monsters were all turned away." Yuka stated as they celebrated their victory back home.
"Yep, all thanks to Natsu! Your destructive tenacity saved the day once again." She joked with a smile as Natsu looked away annoyed. "You know I'm just teasing you."
"Of course we won." Loke mentioned as if the final result would have been obvious.
"Well, because of you guys Margaret is safe again. You have our thanks." Lyon gave a slight bow as Lucy shook her head.
"You still played a big part in defending the front of the city from being destroyed Lyon." He nodded as he coughed into his hand.
"Very well, but without you all backing us up we might not have stood much longer. I need to report to Master Ooba, thank you once again for helping us." Lyon finished inclining his head as he took off.
"Do you know where Wendy and Chelia ran off to?" Lucy asked.
"They needed to talk in private." Yuka answered before following Lyon and leaving the blonde alone with the pinkette and his exceed.
"Guess it's just us now. I can't believe Orochi's Fin hired Bluenote Stinger of all people! I'm glad you were able to deal with him Natsu." Lucy spoke while sitting down next to him, noticing his distanced stare. "Everything okay?"
"Those clowns were totally weak!" He whined in frustration. "How am I suppose to test myself to see where I compare to him if I can't even..." The dragon slayer's speech trailed off as he became conscious of what he had just rambled out. Her disapproving look didn't help him any as she smacked his arm.
"I thought we talked about this! You are not going after him and getting yourself seriously hurt... or even worse." Lucy chastised before growing quiet herself at the end.
"I know, I won't do anything reckless Luce." Natsu affirmed.
"Promise?"
Her words floated out into the open as Natsu tried to pry his jaws open to seal the promise... but he just couldn't do it. He refused to blatantly lie to her like that after he knew what his ultimate end goal was. Tilting his head down away, not wanting to see her hurt expression, he heard the blonde huff frustratingly and stand up. Loke walked over and guided her back to their inn, but not before giving him a glare. It was a warning.
The blue feline watched carefully as Natsu glanced at him and motioned with his head to leave. "Go make sure she's okay for me, Happy."
"Aye..."
No matter how hard I try, or want them to be... things will never be the same will they?
The sky was filled with stars as its beauty twinkled high above them. On a hill overlooking the town, Wendy and Chelia sat with their shoulders touching.
"So much for my big plan..." The pinkette murmured.
"What do you mean?"
"I just wanted to prove to you that I can handle things on my own Wendy. That you don't need to worry about me anymore." She explained before giggling. "Of course, Natsu went and messed the whole thing up."
"That's always been his favorite thing to do." Wendy grinned laughing with her.
The two grew quiet for a few minutes as they listened to the celebrations from the townsfolk. Raising her knees, Chelia wrapped her arms around them as she began her hardest quest.
"Listen Wendy... you need to go and be by Natsu's side again. I know you'd be much happier there."
"What?"
"You love him don't you?" She asked.
Instantly the bluenette went pink in the face as she hurriedly held her hands out in front of her. "H-Hold on! You've got the wrong idea Chelia!" Getting over her embarrassment her eyes sparkled. "I mean I do look up to him, but it's way different. He's like my big brother and I'm his little sister."
Chelia smiled. "You know... that's love too. If you don't go, you'll regret it Wendy. It's obvious Natsu still believes in you and he believes in your guild. He has a lot of love for you and isn't that what Fairy Tail was built off of? Love and friendships?"
The god slayer's words hit home as Wendy sat hesitant, unsure of what to say.
I don't want to leave you behind.
"Follow your heart, Wendy." Chelia hugged the dragon slayer who was beginning to shed tears. "Even if we're in different guilds again we'll always be friends."
"You mean it?" She hiccupped emotionally.
"I do. Friends forever, right?" Chelia leaned her head against her shoulder as they held hands.
"Right!"
They had accepted her decision after being turned down yesterday, so for the sky dragon slayer to suddenly show up at the door first thing in the morning and tell them she was going with them definitely shocked the original three.
"You're actually coming along?" Natsu excitedly said looking bright once again, unlike how the night had ended.
"Yep!" Wendy nodded as she bowed in front of them. "I am sorry for my uncertainty yesterday."
Lucy walked over and hugged the younger dragon slayer as Happy flew into her arms wanting some attention too. "Don't be apologizing! It was a difficult choice to make, I'm just thrilled to see you're happy and joining us."
"We should get going child, our stuff is already packed."
"Okay. Let's say goodbye to our friends though!"
Carla agreed with her slayer as Lamia Scale definitely deserved a final farewell for all they had done for them in the past year following the Fairy Tail disbanding. The new group of five headed towards the guild doors and were surprised when they flew open. Every single mage from Lamia Scale were waiting for them as they rushed at the bluenette and held on tightly.
"We'll miss you Wendy!" Toby cried into her shoulder.
"Yes, it was a pleasure getting to know you better." Yuka did his own bow as Lyon and Master Ooba greeted the two departing wizards. Wendy broke down and Lyon patted her on the shoulder while Master Ooba threatened to spin her if she didn't quit with the waterworks.
"I-I'm sorry, I just hate to leave you all..." Wendy cried and tried to cover her eyes with her sleeve.
"You were always a Fairy Tail mage at heart, it was just a matter of time until someone reformed you all. Can't say I'm surprised that it was Natsu."
"What's that supposed to mean!" The fire dragon slayer ran up and smashed his forehead against the ice wizard's. Lucy sweat dropped at the all too familiar sight as she stepped in and broke the two men away from one another.
"Sheesh, keep it up and you'll somehow summon Gray."
"It's best you all get going so you have the entire day to get wherever you are headed next." Lyon mentioned.
After a few more hugs and well wishes, Wendy and Carla, in her humanoid form, waved goodbye to Lamia Scale as they began walking away. The petite blue-haired girl had stopped her tears for now, but knew it was only a matter of time until they started up again.
"Bye Wendy and Carla!" Chelia stood on her tiptoes and gave them all a bright smile. "Natsu, Lucy, Happy... good luck with the guild and keep my friends safe!"
Natsu swung around, sporting his signature grin, as his eyes were full of life once more. "You got it kiddo! Take care guys." With a thumbs up and fading footsteps, Lamia Scale was now short two members and Fairy Tail had gotten up to five.
Entering the outskirts of town, Natsu leaned over his partner's shoulder trying to get a peek at the map. "So, where we headed now Luce?"
Lucy shifted the map in her hands so he could have a better view of it. She pointed east with her finger at a single dot. "Amefurashi, or as it's better known, Rain Bringer Village."
A/N: Where do I even begin? This easily was the longest chapter so far of Dragon Rage, reaching over 10K, but it was definitely worth it in my eyes. I originally planned to have this chapter split into two several parts, but since college literally starts back up tomorrow I figured this a fair compromise incase I can't update for a little while.
Lucy's new key is a tribute to an unfortunately unfinished story I read years ago, Between Light and Shadow by DD42 on FanFiction. I highly suggest you check it out if you haven't already!
This is the first chapter where we actually see some battles and action. I feel like I nailed Natsu's run through the beasts, and I hope I did justice to the defeat of Bluenote. In the anime, it comes off as so lazy and I feel like the added memories and dialogue really make it feel more real. Include how much Natsu has changed and grown so far in this story and it's easy to see why that roar decimates him instantly now.
Zeref's entrance in the opening is exactly where I wanted it. Originally, this scene was in Chapter 4/Remembrance, but it felt out of place considering that was entirely a tribute to Igneel. Let me know what you thought of this part, because writing Zeref is sometimes difficult and I'm hoping I did a solid job here.
Lucy and Natsu finally are getting there! Despite being interrupted by a falling roof, Lucy is growing bolder and Natsu is conscious of whatever weirdness is messing with him whenever he is alone with the blonde. It's only a matter of time now!
Wendy's importance in this chapter wasn't entirely to help with plot. It's my own tribute to my first, and recently discontinued story, The Dragon Slayer, as I wanted to give her one more main time in the spotlight to make up for the abrupt ending.
-I never uploaded the final two chapters on my AO3 account, but you can read them and any alternate scenes on my FanFiction account if you're interested.
Thank you everybody for your continuous support, constructive criticism, and any feedback you have been willing to share. It means a lot seeing how many views, likes, favorites and reviews this story is getting and I have really enjoyed where this story is at so far. If you've read or watched Fairy Tail, you know what's coming... but be ready for some twists! See you all in the next one!
Up Next: Chapter 8 - Rush
