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, Blue, snakeboy33, Chlo Grasset, SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan, Apple Yumi 94, and mastercheif1229.
A/N: I recently went back and fixed up the grammar in the previous chapters of Dragon Rage and also tweaked a few things (storyline & summary wise). Nothing was removed, but a few additions were included to assist with the basic background information presented. I hope this will increase the understanding for my past and future readers who may have gotten lost somewhere along the way up to this point. DR's opening chapter, "Fallen" is the most noticeable as more scenes were developed to enhance Natsu's reaction of losing Igneel. Obviously going back and reading those chapters isn't required, however I recommend you do if you have the free time since it's been a little while since I last updated and it'll give you a refresher of what all has happened so far!
I also posted a new one-shot last week, which happened to be my first dive into the Harry Potter universe! If you like HP, magic, and dragons, than that little short story might just be the thing you're looking for! You can find it on my page, Magic & Dragons is the name!
mastercheif1229 - Thank you so much for the praise! I wanted to get this out much sooner, but college and work got in the way. It didn't help that I a wrote a whole new story after watching a movie marathon two weeks ago, hah. Hope you enjoy this one!
Thank you to everybody for your kind comments, favorites, and support. It means a lot and I really do appreciate it!
Summary: An underground confrontation turns former friends against each other! Feelings of betrayal emerge as darkness looms in the distance. A near-death experience is the catalyst that begins to transform Natsu and the mysterious force, the one that all along has dwelled within him, into a singular identity.
Chapter 9: Awaken
He could feel the control slipping away, piece by piece, little by little. His summoned fire melted the shards of ice that had penetrated and dug its way into his skin. The alert dragon slayer could hear the enhanced whimpers from his best friend whose own body was being manipulated in wicked ways. Natsu saw no life within those cold eyes, in fact he probably would of been shivering had he not been a fire mage. It also helped, in an odd way, that he'd been the only one to ever oppose the man before him. That included his sick ideas and beliefs.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"That's none of your business." The response was harsh and Natsu had to bite the side of his gum to not reveal the pain he was experiencing from the wound. It was very obvious at this point he had been backed into a corner, but he needed to stall for time in order to figure out a way to get to Lucy before they did something unforgiveable.
If they so much as touch her I will end them all.
Natsu felt his composure falter and mentally put his barrier back up. The fire mage could hear the faint hissing in the back of his mind, it wanted command... and it was unnerving. He pushed the dark thoughts aside momentarily and returned all his focus to the ice wizard. Riling up his opponent had always been his go to plan. So, why change it?
"Like hell it is! What's wrong with you man? Snap out of it!"
The chuckle that escaped the black-haired man easily put Natsu entirely on guard, if he wasn't already. That laugh was anything like he'd ever heard from his friend.
"There is nothing wrong with me Natsu. I am right where I need to be."
"Are you insane? You don't belong with these creeps, you belong in Fairy Tail!" He shouted with frustration building. Natsu could tell where this was leading. His eyes expanded and he dove to his right, just barely avoiding the frozen blade this time around. Gray's glare was startling.
"Fairy Tail is gone. With it, so is any friendship we had."
The seconds passed by as neither one moved... and then a flaming spiral of fire rammed itself right into the dark cultist's chest. Gray was blasted backward by a giant inferno of fire as he was forced to summon ice in order to protect himself from being scorched.
"I've been wanting a reason to kick your ass, Gray. Thanks for giving me the green light." Natsu growled as his onyx eyes lit up with a raging flame circling around inside.
The pain was unbearable, but Lucy knew she had to stay strong. If she stopped resisting the urge to give in then Natsu wouldn't be able to concentrate. Feeling the strength of all her Celestial Spirits, she swore to not give the pink-haired girl the satisfaction she desired. That was reserved for her own pinkette and only him.
Lucy's aggravated figure continued to shake uncontrollably and she clutched at her stomach with her hands. With gritted teeth, she watched the battle rage on, horror growing in her eyes. Two of her greatest friends were dueling, and this time it wasn't over a silly argument or to test themselves to find out where they stood on the power scale. This was for real.
Gray's summons were massive and brutal. The various creatures he formed and ordered to attack his rival were chilling. Natsu seemed uncertain on how to fight back, or if he even wanted to. It was almost like he feared his own power.
"You made a stupid mistake coming to this place." Gray's humorless tone spoke once more for the first time since the battle started. Lucy was amazed at how he cast spells without even verbally calling them out. She didn't realize the surprise she would be in for just a few moments later.
"Yeah? Well you made a stupid mistake joining these clowns!" Natsu retaliated as fiery sparks flew from the sides of his mouth, hitting the ground and dispersing.
"I can do whatever the hell I want!" The newest cult member shouted and placed his palm against his fist. Bright blue light appeared in between.
"So can I! I'm here to prevent something awful happening and you're-"
"Shut up! You don't know what I want!"
"Maybe so... but I know what I want. I know what Luce and Happy want. Most importantly, I know what Juvia wants. You know what that is? She wants you to return home popsicle!"
The mentioning of his own partner caused Gray to stall. Just for a moment though, and he advanced on the fire dragon slayer with newly found anger.
"Believe it or not, I want you to come back Gray! We're reforming the guild and it wouldn't be the same without you."
With a devious smirk across her face, Mary decided to shut down any plans of disloyalty that may of been sinking into the black-haired man. He was not going to change sides on them if she could do anything about it. With the slight raise of a finger, Mary destroyed Lucy's resolve and forced the blonde to wail out in agony.
"It hurts, doesn't it?!" Her insane diamond-shaped eyes sparkled intensely.
"Lucy!" Natsu's shield faltered and he lowered his defense for just a second. Gray used the opportunity and rushed him while freezing the floor in the process. He had been unable to penetrate him like he originally wanted, but now he had the advantage... and Natsu knew it.
"Don't do this. It doesn't have to be this way, Gray. Let us help you through whatever it is that you're dealing with!"
"Fight back or you're gonna lose, Natsu." The man smirked threateningly. He had realized long ago that his former guildmate had yet to use his own fire spells and was curious as to why.
Lucy's screams intensified and the source causing it only multiplied. The evil cultist clapped in excitement. "Gray's old friends being ruined by my dealings, how lucky!"
"STOP IT!" Natsu roared and darted across the room in a flash, only to slam into an ice wall. "Get out of my way." The growl that followed held so much malice that it actually caused Gray to unconsciously take a step back.
"You're such an idiot pyro. Did you really think after an entire year that everything would be the same as before? I'm kind of amazed you're still sane considering how much Igneel's death impacted you."
Natsu's eyes were ablaze as he snarled at the ice wizard. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me loud and clear, Natsu. The past is the past old buddy. I've moved on from Fairy Tail, unlike you. I now have just one goal."
"Yeah? What's that?" He questioned, slightly amused. Natsu finally acknowledged the foreign presence calling out to him.
Use our power.
Registering the implications, Natsu clenched his fists. This was the first time he had ever encountered this voice... and it was instructing him to unleash his destructive force.
I don't know who or what you are, but I can't! I don't want to hurt Lucy.
Gray had backed him into a corner and delivered blow upon blow. He had managed to dodge every single strike, but the refusal of his magic was doing him in. He had to counterattack, but how?
"You wanted to know what my goal was, right Natsu?" Gray asked with that same taunting expression the slayer had come to loathe. His lips wavered for a few seconds, as if doubting himself, before readjusting itself into a confident grin. "I'm going to finish what my dad fell short of. Successfully eradicating E.N.D!"
The mentioning of Zeref's greatest creation stunned Natsu and he fell to his knees. His chest began to hurt, but unlike Lucy's this wasn't slow induced pain... it was rapid jolts of electrocution.
Now you've got my attention.
Despite seeing the strange state of his enemy, Gray finished his phrasing passionately. "I no longer have any reason to associate myself with you, our team, or the guild!" He noticed the odd silence from Natsu and became aware that the dragon slayer's irises were glowing red.
What the? When did that happen?
Footsteps were heard from behind, Jerome and Briar appearing, as they gave him smirks of their own.
Mary squatted down directly next to Lucy. "I wouldn't even bother trying to fight the pain if I were you. It's only going to get worse from here as long as your little friend keeps up the tough act." She giggled gleefully.
Gômon had already regained his senses from being surprised earlier and previously sent Virgo back to her own realm. He decided to intervene once more after allowing Gray some time to toy with his old companion. Natsu's slouched figure was cuffed in magic sealing chains.
"Look at you... it's over Natsu." Gray stated rather pathetically. "You were once a powerful ally I enjoyed fighting alongside, but now you're nothing but a shell of your former self."
The atmosphere darkened significantly and Gray held his breath as a sinister grin appeared across Natsu's face. "You really think some magic sealing stones can prevent me from crushing all of your windpipes?" A dark voice revealed itself, once full onyx eyes now flashed blood red.
"Unfortunately for you fool, once the prisoner is in those cuffs their magic is locked away and they are rendered completely helpless to the captor." The baldheaded man stated rather smugly while trying to ignore the egregious threat in question.
"That so? Let's find out then." Natsu challenged eagerly.
Every single Avatar member was floored at the declaration and Natsu pulled hard against the chains. Then as if activating a slingshot, he released them and sent Gômon flying into the adjacent wall.
"Afraid your info might be faulty there pal." The fire dragon slayer chuckled as his red eyes landed once more on Gray. "And I'm afraid you're going to the same place as your dad."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Natsu was directly in front of the former Fairy as he delivered a devastating blow to his jaw. Fire exploded off how his forearm and he drove it into the surprised man, not showing mercy, as he continued to suddenly outclass him.
It's like he's become a whole new person!
Gray shook his head and managed to block the third attack, but still struggled all the same.
"Entertain me Fullbuster." The darker slayer smirked, showing off his sharp canines. "Tell me the reasoning for your sudden change."
Gray decided an explanation was necessary and followed through with the request. He slipped his jacket off which fully revealed the corruption that had occurred on his flesh. The entire right side of his arm was covered in black markings, that enveloped him all around, and had found a way to spread jagged spikes down his back. His chest featured similar markings, but this happened to be the final indication of his new employment. Instead of a blue Fairy Tail emblem, a white Avatar crest illuminated itself in the dark arrogantly. The patterns had gone completely up and over his eye connecting with his black hair.
"I got rid of my mark in order to prove that I'm through with our guild!"
The response to his revelation was peculiar, Gray noted. Natsu's left eye retained glowing red, while his right eye changed back to its normal onyx style. A disturbing voice that sounded like a mix of two different people made him slightly shiver.
"You'll regret that."
Jerome, who had been keeping an eye on the intruder, motioned for Mary to grab ahold of the chains that still had the wizard bound. He unsheathed his dark blade and held it over their captive. The corroded tip dripped with poison and landed inches from Lucy's head, disintegrating the floor's surface which left a small-sized hole in the ground.
"Stand down dragon slayer." Jerome ordered and moved his black magic weapon closer towards her face. Lucy physically shook in fright as the fear for her life overtook Mary's influential pain.
"Leave her alone!" Natsu demanded, blood boiling, as his different colored eyes flared with fire. The heat began to scorch the chains as they seared and glowed orange. He was transported back to Tartaros, watching as the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse prepared to kill the former fire dragon king. Only this time, he was flowing with the energy he needed to annihilate everything in his path.
"His magic power is being blocked off by these stones! How strong is he?!" Mary shouted, completely flabbergasted.
"Not until you're fully dealt with." Jerome stated rather calmly. "If you don't surrender I will kill the girl."
The same red glow appeared in his eyes momentarily before fading. He wanted to punch the daylights out of every single cultist in this room, and knew he could do it too, but the risk wasn't worth it. His friends meant too much to him. What he was about to do was against every code that defined him, but he refused to lose Lucy because of some foolish pride. Natsu finally gave in and surrendered himself to the dark cult. Watching someone very close to him die had matured the dragon slayer more then he initially realized.
Erza would probably be on cloud nine right now.
He mused himself with that singular thought and noticed the torture specialist approaching. Gômon, who was rather nervous after taking several beatings, at last found his composure and walked up behind him, hurriedly making sure the bindings were secure. Avatar released a relieved sigh while Natsu met Gray's eyes mockingly. There was no friendly compassion present and an unsettling smile formed on the man's face. He remembered the insulting remark Gray delivered earlier in the encounter.
"You may of thrown everything you ever cared about out of your life, but unlike you I found a way to pick myself up after my father died and stayed in the light."
Gray's fist met the pinkette's jaw as he stumbled after going off balance, but was held up by Gômon. He was astonished to see the defiance within those blazing spheres as his voice returned to its normal pitch.
"You made the worst mistake possible today, Gray. You became an enemy of Fairy Tail."
With those parting words, Natsu was escorted out of the basement alongside an ill and unconscious Lucy.
Several hours had passed and the clocks just kept ticking. His eyes were sealed shut, he refused to open them and give the creep the attention he wanted. It pained him to lock himself away, but there was nothing he could do. Not in that moment at least. For now, he was forced to wait for an opportunity to present itself. When it did, he would make sure this freak never harmed a single soul again. His heart throbbed as he desperately tried ignoring her muffled screams. He didn't know what type of sight was waiting before him and would rather not find out. Natsu could slowly feel his magic restoring itself as he quietly burned through the heavy chains shackling him against the wall. Gômon was going to pay.
I can save her.
Natsu was bewildered as he heard the same voice speaking to him from before. He wasn't entirely sure what sort of phenomenon was taking place.
What? Ok, that's it! Tell me who you are!
I am Natsu Dragneel.
He was rather shocked at hearing this. How could his subconscious even speak to him like this? It's like it had its own personality for crying out loud!
No, I am! Stop impersonating me and while you're at it, get out of my head!
The dragon slayer swore he heard cackling within the deeper parts of his brain.
Yes, I know you are. Likewise, so am I.
That doesn't even make sense you liar! Even if that was true, how could that be possible?
Believe me it is very much the truth. We are one in the same, Natsu. I am you... and you are me.
If the fire mage wasn't as confused as ever, he definitely was now.
Yeah sorry, I'm not following.
He heard the specter grumble and speak incoherently, as if talking to themself.
You are the lighter and brighter side of my origins. I am, so to say, the darker side of you. In truth you are the lively personality that framed itself while I was stuck in the floating prison that cursed dragon put me in. In comparison, I am the locked away portion of you filled with nothing but sadness and suffering. A longing to be reunited with the family that we were torn away from.
Now having an idea who the other half of him was, Natsu tried imagining what they may look like. He felt himself thrown out of that part of his mind and heard a hiss. It was almost like this being didn't want him to see the full picture. At least, not yet.
I slowly began to reawaken inside you following our...
They paused momentarily before sighing and picking up from where they left off. They spat the next few words in disgust.
Foster father's demise.
The new information hit Natsu like a shockwave. Everything was beginning to make sense now to him. The reason for his sudden strange power boost and personality change. That darkness that had been trying to consume him for the past year. The more he thought about it, the more Natsu questioned of why he was learning about all of this now.
Why are you telling me this?
The time for my return has been decided by the dragon king. Like the positive side of us, mainly you, having the ambitions to bring back your guild... my dark side has motives as well. Similarly to you, I would like to to banish the tyrant as well.
The mentioning of evil motivations alerted Natsu's attention and he immediately tried shutting his other half out. It proved to be futile as he was overpowered and felt himself helpless to the new presence in his mind that seemed to appear at will.
You think I'll let you just get away with whatever it is you want? You're dead wrong! Besides, how do you even plan to carry anything out when we're stuck together?
Instead of feeling offended or going on defense, Natsu felt the other side of himself brighten. It was kind of ironic considering he had been told that they were the dark side of him.
Have no mistake, I do get what I want, but I like to be reasonable. I am rather pleased to hear you've accepted the knowledge though. It will be easier to explain this final part then, I suppose.
Explain what? Also what do I call you anyways?
My identity is not important right now, Natsu. Listen closely to the process of how our souls will merge and become one.
What? You better not take over my body you jerk!
I can make no promises considering we are the same being, just two separate halves-
They were interrupted when suddenly, the piercing sound of metal screeched. Forgetting about his mental conversation, Natsu's eyes opened on instinct. The rusted gears drew his attention as his best friend was in a compromising position. With her limbs forcefully stretched out in four different directions, Gômon hovered above Lucy like a monster. Greedily, he placed the head of the shiny axe across her torso. From his position on the wall, her maid outfit was very revealing in this position, but those thoughts never reached him. What did reach him was baldy's booming voice.
"I'm going to ask you one more time. Who sent you?" The man interrogated him with the same nuisance of a question.
"I've already told you five times, we did ourselves! We came to this dump to get our friend back, but it's obvious that didn't work out as originally planned now did it?" He sneered as his body trembled in anger. He watched as Gômon registered the answer and awaited a reaction. The one he got was far from relieving.
"SILENCE!" The crazy cultist yelled. "I have had it with your worthless lies. Since you won't willingly tell me, I am going to force it out of your emotions... starting by killing this girl!"
My turn.
Natsu felt his anger turn into pure bloodlust as the man raised the axe over his terrified friend. In the swing of a life time, the fire dragon slayer fired off the wall like a bullet. He melted the chains that had him trapped and with incredible speed appeared directly in front of the lunatic. Whatever thoughts had been transpiring inside the man's mind were frozen - quite literally, as two powerful forces hit one target simultaneously.
Gômon's entire body was confined in a block of ice, halting his momentum, but the real shocker was what happened to the axe and the hands wielding it. With the hottest fire ever summoned, Natsu's flames shattered the axe from the overwhelming heat while the cultist's hands were surrounded in fire and incinerated on the spot. It was rather well timed that the rest of him had been frozen solid, otherwise his screams would of alerted the rest of his members to what had just occurred.
Gray froze the shackles that held Lucy in place, the action causing the cloth restricting her mouth to slip and release itself. Before she could hit the ground though a familiar pair of arms were wrapped around her slim figure supportively. She had been horrified and ready to accept that her time had come, only to be saved by the pink-haired man of her dreams yet again. While Lucy gripped her best friend tightly and sought comfort, Gray found himself deadlocked between surprise and confusion at the dragon slayer's current appearance.
Onyx eyes were slit in a threatening-like manner while scales littered parts of his face, neck, and arms. A single illuminated dot of red took the place of his pupil as his normal canines had extended into sharpened fangs. The biggest change he became aware of though was the two small spikes that had protruded from his pink hair. The more the black-haired mage examined them from afar, the more he realized they almost resembled...
Horns?
"Natsu?" His calm voice rang out as he tried holding a steady demeanor. It hadn't slipped his vision that his friend had burned the frozen dark mage's hands clean off in anger. He easily assumed that had the axe struck true, Gômon's remains would be a simple pile of ash right about now.
Rage-filled eyes dimmed to a tranquil appearance while the scorching flames around his feet finally faded. Gray cautiously took a single step, judging the dragon slayer's actions. It wasn't until his fourth step towards them that Natsu hissed in warning like a serpent would.
"Get away from her you traitor!" Natsu's tone was far from friendly as he held the frightened blonde close in his arms. Lucy was shaken severely following everything that had happened and wanted nothing more in that moment to stay right where she was. She knew she would be safe there.
"Natsu? H-Hang on man, I'm not your enemy."
"Oh yeah? Could of fooled me. Sure seemed like it a few minutes ago when you backstabbed us!" He pointed accusingly and moved Lucy carefully towards the wall. After he leaned her against it and whispered something softly, Natsu faced the ice wizard and shielded the Celestial mage from Gray's sight. The small tips that had risen from the top of his head reflected off the poorly lit room while his eyes flashed menacingly.
You know what must be done.
What was once an argument now was anything but. He could feel the wickedness that surrounded Avatar's base, but something even worse was revealing itself... a sinister aura... and it was coming from Natsu!
"L-Listen to me man. I did what I had to do in order to not blow my cover! Which I now obviously just did, because of you moron!" Gray explained hesitantly before his own frustration got the best of him.
His friend just had to ruin everything like usual. Especially something he had worked so hard for the last few months. A certain redhead wasn't going to be pleased with these turn of events once she found out. But before he could comprehend the movement, the furious slayer dashed head on at him and delivered a right hook into his jaw.
"You dumbass! Your selfish actions almost got Lucy killed!" Natsu roared as he punched him again. Gray saw the next blow coming and this time deflected it as he held the enraged pinkette's fist at bay with his own.
"Natsu! You have to listen to him, he's being honest!" He turned towards the sound of the voice that had interrupted the dispute. Relief rapidly overtook him as the bruised but alive blue exceed stood at the entrance of the corridor.
"Happy?"
"Please, will you two stop this pointless fighting? You're supposed to be friends!" Happy began sobbing as he ran over and jumped into a still startled Lucy's chest.
The exceed's plea hit Natsu in full force. After a quick mental battle, he lowered his fists and hostility, but remained glaring the black-haired man down. "Fine, but if you so much as flinch to try anything I'll have you face first in the concrete!"
"I hear you... I didn't mean for everything to hit the fan like it did. I planned to save you guys in a little anyways, but Happy alerted me of the shouting and feared something might happen. It's a good thing that-"
"That, what? That you betrayed us and if it hadn't been for outside forces... Luce would be dead right now!" Natsu's shout was deafening as he pushed his breathing to a slower pace and wiped the faint tears that had slipped. "I don't even know why we should listen to you. How can I be sure you aren't going to sell us out to them as soon as we walk out of here?"
"If I was going to hand you back over pyro then why would I even save you in the first place?" Gray asked in a pretty straight forward way. Natsu merely responded with a penetrating stare that escalated the undercover wizard's nerves.
"Fine have it your way. Well, if you're not gonna listen to me, will you at least listen to her?" He questioned with a frown and pulled a strange gadget out of his pocket. Not waiting for an answer, believing he wouldn't get one anyways, Gray spoke a few words into it and then flipped the glowing rectangular device in his hand across the cellar.
Natsu's reflexes smoothly caught the object. "What is it?"
"A lacrima. Put it up to your ear." Gray instructed while he gave Lucy a small wave.
Hesitantly, she returned it. No words were spoken between the two, but the message was delivered successfully as she offered him a smile. Lucy believed he at least deserved some sort of recognition despite emotionally tearing her up inside from the earlier harsh words. After all, he had saved her life. She observed the black marks had faded from his body and was overjoyed to see his blue Fairy Tail emblem sported proudly again on his right pectoral.
Trusting his friend, just this once, Natsu placed the lacrima against his ear curiously. What happened next he had not expected at all.
"I was beginning to wonder if our paths truly had crossed for the last time. Thank you for not disappointing me." A feminine voice that he hadn't heard in ages greeted him teasingly. "Hello, Natsu."
"These boys will help us reach the city much faster than their army that is mainly on foot." Gray explained while saddling up an Avatar horse. He was about to clarify what to do for his friends when he saw Natsu grab a different set of reins casually. In an instant he hoisted Lucy atop their original pack animal and made sure to strap in their gear.
"So what exactly is going down here, Erza?" Natsu called out completely ignoring the ice mage once he learned the lacrima was portable. That made things much easier for him. Gray once more frowned, but shook it off. He knew his actions were controversial and his friend had been through a lot recently. The dig at his foster father certainly didn't help matters either.
Man, what was I thinking?
"The situation has changed dramatically. It started out as just a routine investigation to figure out what their motives were, but then we learned about their diabolical Purification Plan." Erza explained over the lacrima. "They're planning to wipe out an entire city, because they're under the impression it will summon Zeref. We have to stop them!"
"You can count on me. Lucy too, she's gotten a whole lot stronger than our battle with Tartaros." Natsu smiled fondly before he glared at nothing in particular. "Say, Erza... how come you kept Juvia in the dark this entire time? You know she's been worried sick about frosty here."
For the first time, Gray was genuinely happy to hear his trademarked insult. The path to healing their broken bonds was already in the works it seemed. In response to Natsu's question, Erza was quiet for a few moments.
"I know, I'm sorry for doing that to her. I feared too much about her safety and the risk of this undercover operation being blown up. The less people that knew about it, the less likely it was to fail." Natsu nodded in understanding and continued to take in all the new information that was being divulged by the redhead.
Following the recap of their mission, and allowing his allies to speak about various strategies with one another, Gray was reminded of something. He reached into his other pocket and caught Lucy's eye, tossing her a precious key ring. She gasped after the catch and realized in shame that she had completely forgotten about her keys following their escape.
"Don't worry about it, you had way more issues at the time. I saw them laying on the basement floor and snatched them before Abel could get his hands on them. Plus, until we get outside this part of the forest, Avatar's defense spells nullify magic. That probably answers your question as to why you never realized they were missing."
"Thank you." She said appreciatively and hugged the key ring against her chest.
"I did notice though, you have a new key right? That red chrome one." Gray mentioned offhandedly and saw her flushed state. "Something the matter?"
"No, everything is fine. It's kind of a long story and one I don't feel like telling right now." Lucy replied. "Perhaps, another time?"
"Sure that works. I don't mind, besides we do have some civilians to go save." He chuckled.
Once they were ready to head out, Gray became the leader since he knew the area better than they did. Erza had given them the location in advance and now Fairy Tail's strongest team, after being inactive for a whole year, were back in action and prepared to take down yet another dark guild. Happy sat on his friend's shoulder contently, dozing off in sleep, while Lucy was behind him, clinging onto his waist maybe a little more than she should've been doing. If Natsu noticed, then he showed zero signs of complaining about it.
His mind replayed their standoff in the basement as Gray's false beliefs abruptly drove a wedge between them. He had come to terms that his friend was just trying to put on a convincing show, and had done a damn good job at that, but the slander against Igneel crossed the line. He had seen the confliction in the black-haired man's features throughout the argument, however the insult regarding the slain fire dragon king was brought right from the heart. He didn't know why, but Gray held some type of resentment against him for being able to reunite with the crimson beast.
He fears us.
That was the last thing he had been prepared to hear in that moment as his other half returned from their dormant state.
What do you mean?
I believe your frosty friend is slowly painting the picture for himself.
A picture of what?
Of who exactly Natsu Dragneel is.
He gripped the reins tighter and felt himself glare at the back of the ice wizard's head. Natsu was growing more and more annoyed by the secrecy of the powerful presence inside him.
Can't you just tell me what the issue is?
I can, but not at this time. Soon, however you will know everything.
Why not dammit! Don't you think it's important to know if we have a target on our back?!
Because the transformation is not yet complete. Once our souls become one I can assure you will know everything you wish to know. We have no need to worry about targets either. They cannot touch us. We will simply destroy anyone who even tries to come close.
Their was a silence between the two halves before Natsu broke it wondering more about the transformation phase.
And when will that be?
It depends. I have not been in control for very long.
What does possessing me have anything to do with this?
It means everything, Natsu. For the record, I am not possessing you. I am becoming you, and as I've stated already, you are becoming me.
When we, merge... am I going to die?
More silence interrupted the mental questioning as Natsu waited, and waited, and waited.
Hello?
No, you will not die. However... you may cease to exist.
That's literally dying!
It is different, Natsu. When we merge our separate halves will become one identity and that is who we will be. Your mind and my mind will combine themselves.
What does that mean for me though? Am I going to lose control of being myself and have to watch you be the primary me? Gah, this doesn't make any sense!
He unconsciously growled at the laughter from his other half and felt Lucy's head raise up against his back in concern. That lone incident made him fear the future.
Lucy! What will happen to Lucy?
Lucy will be fine. It will probably be a little awkward at first when she figures out or learns of our new ability, but... there is nothing that can be done about it. Your friendship could be tested though.
The guild? Will you take care of them?
Will you stop making it sound like you are going to die, Natsu. I explained to you. You aren't going to kick the bucket. You will cease to exist, that is a possibility, but all your memories, personality, and traits will join with my own.
It will be nice to see Igneel.
That's enough!
Natsu was startled by the sudden outburst and wondered why everyone he knew suddenly was turning on the dragon that raised him.
First Gray, now the other side of me?
The one who died to the king of the dragons-
His name is Acnologia and he is no king.
Is the very one that sealed me away and the reason you emerged. If it hadn't been for that overgrown winged lizard this never would of happened in the first place.
Don't you dare speak about my father like that! You have no idea how amazing he was to me, I mean us! If it hadn't been for him we probably would of died and then you don't even exist...
I suppose you're right. I should be grateful that Igneel decided to spare us rather than kill us.
Everything went quiet in his brain directly after that slipup and Natsu immediately tried calling out to figure out what exactly his other half meant by that. They had gone back to dormancy.
"Natsu?" Her lovely voice reached his ears as he pulled himself from the trainwreck that was his thoughts and turned his head toward his blonde companion.
"What's up, Luce?"
"I was just wondering..." She began and lowered her volume so it was just between them two. "I noticed you had something unusual back there. How come you have these two little small horns in your hair?"
"I do?" He questioned in shock and tried looking up. He realized he was still clutching the reins with a death grip and prepared to reuse his neat little fire trick he created back during their journey to Sabertooth. Lucy had a different idea.
"Let me show you." She whispered and he felt her delicate fingers cross into the spiky swamp that was his hair. Natsu's heartrate increased after her hands pinpointed the two items that held her focus and she gingerly latched onto them. "See?"
"Y-Yeah." He muttered and tried looking away. That seemed to only increase her curiosity as she placed her hand on the side of his cheek and turned him back toward her. Those chocolate eyes that always broke down his barriers were peering into his eagerly.
"Oh my! Your eyes, Natsu."
"What?"
"They aren't just black anymore. You have a little shade of red where your pupil is supposed to be. It kind of makes you look... evil." She revealed before mentally berating herself. "I-I mean, not that you are evil! I just..." Lucy saw him release his hands on the reins and he grabbed ahold of her own, clasping them together.
"It's okay. I know what you mean. I'm not really sure what's happening... but it has something to do with that power that was originally my reason for leaving. You know, so I could learn self-control."
"Did you?" She asked.
"Did I what?"
"Find a way to control it?" Lucy implored and at that moment he saw so much hope in those gleaming brown orbs.
Natsu was unsure how to answer that question. It was true that he had learned to wield those powers and submerge the dark nature, but now found himself dealing with an entirely different problem. Particularly, the issue regarding his other half and the knowledge that came with them. The description of how he would soon be combined with an entirely separate being and possibly vanish.
"Yeah Luce, I found a way. Now I'm just slowly starting to become..."
"Becoming what, Natsu?" His best friend was searching for a spirited answer and he refused to shoot those desires down.
His conscience drifted between telling her the truth or giving her false assurance. He attempted to summon his other half but it was to no avail, instead he ran into a steel wall that would not allow him entry. With that, Natsu settled for somewhere in the middle.
"Me. I'm becoming the real me."
A/N: I monologued enough above, so I won't bore you any further, haha. See you soon!
Up Next: Chapter 10 - Party Crashers
