Chapter Forty
Natsu stepped out of the sleeping chamber and headed to the front of the Magi-Hover. He looked at the map and set the coordinates for the route he wanted to take to the store. He wrote up the report for the first stop and submitted it. He turned and and was about to go to the sleeping chamber when he got a message.
Laxus had encountered a nest; it had a young Shadowcrawler and a young Fireshooter cohabitating. Without trying to kill each other. It looked like Mard Geer was trying to make them start being allies; which could be detrimental to the cause. Natsu said he'd share the information with Lucy and the others chimed in that they would keep an eye out. The message triggered a brief memory and he sent a message to General Makarov that Happy was with them.
He turned and walked to the sleeping chamber and opened the door and smiled. Lucy and Happy where forehead to forehead; both sleeping comfortably. He set the Magi-Hover to alert him when they either got to the store or if there were Draconics around. He laid down behind Lucy and wrapped his arms around her.
"Natsu…" She whispered and he smiled.
"Luce." He whispered as he fell asleep.
"What's that?" Happy's question had Lucy scrunching up her face; this was his sixtieth question in half an hour; she'd kept count. He was behind her so he couldn't see it but if he had; he'd probably be concerned. Lucy took a deep breath and turned around, hoping her expression was neutral.
"That," She said and he flew over and landed on her shoulder as he looked at the item in the corner of the store. "is a bubbler."
"A what?" He scrunched up his face and put a paw to his mouth.
"A bubbler. You put it in a garden or a water feature. It creates bubbles and can also pop water up."
"Why is that a thing?"
"Because we don't have magic to do it; and it can be calming or pretty." She walked away from it and he curled around her shoulders.
"Life without magic must be so boring."
"Not really." Lucy laughed and pushed a cardboard box to the side. She shuddered as roaches scattered and held her breath for a second before checking what was behind the box. Nothing she wanted to touch and nothing she thought was important. "When you don't have something you don't know to lament it not being there. And when its your own world; its familiar."
"I guess that makes sense." Happy looked around. "Where is Natsu?"
"He took a pallet of fertilizer out." She said and looked around. They were in the back of an abandoned Lowes. She put her hands on her hips and looked up. Happy looked up with her. There was stuff up on the top but no way to get to it.
"I can help here." Happy cheered and his wings came out with a pop. He looked at her and smiled before grabbing a hold of her shoulders and he started flapping. Lucy gasped when her feet left the floor. He hovered in front of the shelves and she scanned everything. She pointed at a shelf and he moved them closer. She grabbed the box and grunted at the weight of it.
"Luce?" Natsu's voice wafted up to her with concern overlaying it.
"Look up." She said and Natsu looked up and his mouth dropped open.
"What are you two doing up there?"
"There's a lot of untouched product up here." Lucy said and looked between her feet. "My bet is that the forklifts and cranes were stolen before anyone thought to grab this stuff down."
"The what?" Happy asked.
"Transportation that helped get things up and down and move heavy things."
"Which would be the Lucy-lift?" She tilted her head and he giggled.
"Rude." She looked down and Natsu was gone. She looked around and gasped when he was next to her; clinging to the side of the shelving. "Don't do that!"
"Sorry." He laughed and looked at the box perplexed. He grabbed out at the box and looked at the picture. He had no idea what it showed. "What is this?"
"A chainsaw."
"Chain…what?"
"The is a chain with small blades on it. There is a motor in the handle part that spins the chain, causing the small blades to cut through something." She explained pointing out the features on the photo on the box.
"Genius." Natsu said and grabbed the box and jumped down and then started climbing the shelves. After his second jump; Lucy looked up at Happy.
"Let's move around and I'll pull forward anything I think we should take…then you can put me on the ground and help Natsu."
"Sounds like a plan Lushee!" He said and they worked quickly. Lucy hit the ground and Happy immediately turned and took off to join Natsu at the top of the shelving. She smiled as they laughed together about something she couldn't hear.
She turned and started looking around the fallen shelves. Sometimes things got lost under the rubble when chaos is in effect. She was about to reach under a some boards to pick them up and move them when it felt like lightening hit her. She froze, holding her breath. She turned and looked around but couldn't tell what was making her uneasy. She turned back towards the boards and closed her eyes. The tension in the air tasted bitter on her tongue. She stood up and backed away, not taking her eyes off of the boards.
"Lu…" Happy started to call out but suddenly the boards flew up into the air. From under it came two creatures that Lucy couldn't name. The scalut immediately ran over her; under her clothes; the helmet sealing right as shurikens flew by her. She dropped and rolled, trying to put distance between herself and the creatures. But they were quick.
"Lucy!" Natsu screamed and leapt down from the shelves. She dodged left as one of the creatures leapt at her right side. She ran her right hand over her hip instinctively and she flung her arm forward with determination. A whip; exactly like the one Natsu had provided at the festival; flew forward crackling through the air. It slammed into the head of the creature that had stayed back. Light flared; followed by a high pitched screech. She spun, cracking the whip against the torso of the creature that had advanced. More light and more screeching.
Happy flew down; gripping onto Lucy's shirt and lifting her up as the closest creature tried to slash out at her. If he hadn't lifted her; she would have taken the hit. She twirled the whip and set it against her side. The scalut made a loop through her jeans and held it to her side. Happy and her landed next to Natsu and the helmet receded.
"What are those?" She asked, her eyes wide.
"I don't know." Natsu shook his head and stared.
"They look like a medium Silverback sizewise." Happy tilted his head.
"But those are definitely Shadowcrawler wings; the shurikens nearly took me out." Lucy grasped.
"And the headship and claws are like a Flameshooter." Natsu said as he looked at them.
"I thought Laxus said he only found small ones in a nest together…" Lucy was breathing heavily.
"He did." Natsu shifted and put his hand on her arm and she looked at him. "We're gonna be okay."
"We might be." Lucy said looked into his eyes. "But they…"
"They who?" Natsu asked and Happy looked at Lucy's face. Then followed her light of sight.
"She means the creatures." His voice was small.
"They look like they're in pain just standing." Her voice broke and Natsu looked at the creatures. They were thinner than a normal draconic; and their bodies moved in awkward jerky motions. They were facing one another; making soft screeching sounds back and forth. Happy leaned forward; over Lucy's shoulder.
"Happy?" Natsu asked and look at his friend.
"The one on the left…" The one he mentioned screeched and butted it's head into the other's shoulder. "…is concerned. That the other is hurt."
"Happy can understand them?"
"It's one of his gifts. He can learn and speak animal languages on any planet he lands on. But draconics don't have a language."
"These do." Happy said and looked at Natsu and Lucy. "It's weird. Like they're…making up the language as they go."
"They might be." Lucy said and Happy looked at her. "These things…they're new. Which means that they are learning what they can do as they do it. They may be making up a way to communicate as they go."
"What are they doing?" Natsu asked as they bumped into each others' shoulders repeatedly. Happy shook his head, trying to understand their language.
"They're comforting each other." Lucy whispered and Natsu looked at her, she was crying. "They're scared and trying to comfort each other."
"They're…" Natsu trailed off and looked at them. One was using it's claw to try and pat the other's wing and he looked back at Lucy. "They really are."
"The smaller one is hungry." Happy said and leapt over to Natsu's shoulder. "The bigger one said it'll find food once we leave."
"They're scared of us?" Natsu asked and looked at Happy who nodded. "The smaller one said we smell like what their maker said was evil."
"What?"
"Mard Geer." Lucy whispered the name and both creatures tensed then looked around, the smaller one trying to hide under the wing of the bigger one.
"They're scared of him too." Natsu realized.
"The big one is promising that the smaller one won't be taken." Happy whispered softly, tears running down his face to the point that snot was dripping from his nose. "The little one is scared their master is going to put them down like the rest of their cluster."
"Cluster?" Lucy asked.
"Draconics are born in clusters of laid eggs." Natsu explained and looked at the creatures.
"He created them…then slaughtered their cluster?" Lucy gasped in horror. "Why?"
"I don't know." Happy wailed, sniffling. Lucy pulled him off of Natsu's shoulder as his crying had made the creatures look over at them.
"Shush….it's gonna be okay." She tried to comfort him. The creatures tilted their heads side to side as they looked over at them. Lucy wiped at Happy's tears. "Don't cry any more. It's okay."
"It's so sad Lushee!"
"I know…I know." She choked and rubbed his head. "You don't have to try and translate anymore."
"Luce…" Natsu looked at her and she shook her head.
"Natsu, we can leave. It's fine. We have enough stuff. And they…they shouldn't have to be scared of us being like…him."
"Okay." He nodded around a lump in his throat. He put his arm around Lucy and Happy and they turned together to head out. They'd made it almost to the door to the main part of the store when there was a screech. They froze and looked over their shoulders.
The larger of the two creatures was between them and the smaller one. Its right lower leg was tapping on the ground, scratching and its wings were fluttering. Happy hiccuped as the creature screeched again throwing its head around.
"He says…" Happy hiccuped again. "He says he isn't fooled. He wants to fight now."
"We don't want to fight." Natsu said slowly and the creature screeched.
"He thinks we're going to sneak back in and attack when they aren't prepared." Happy gulped and Lucy hugged him tighter.
"We won't." Lucy shook her head. "This is your space. We're leaving. We won't come back."
The next screech was louder and Lucy flinched and heard Natsu groan as he lifted his hands to cover his ears. Happy started to squirm and she lost her hold on him and he landed on the ground. He walked forward and motioned with his paw for the creature to calm down. And surprisingly it did.
"Natsu and Lucy aren't liked Mard Geer." He said shaking his head, tears still running down his face. "That bad man lied to you all. We aren't the enemies. We want to save this world. You aren't attacking us; so we don't have to fight. Lucy is sorry she hit you all with her whip; but you attacked first."
The short screeching language was spit out and Happy nodded. "Lucy isn't mad you attacked first. And Natsu isn't mad either. Everyone is okay so we're good."
"No…" Lucy said and the creature screeched and Happy looked horrified over his shoulder. "They're hurt…so everyone isn't okay."
Happy turned back and the creatures quieted. They did have dripping blood from the wounds from Lucy's whip. She looked at Natsu and he watched as she turned and left, moving quickly. The creatures screeched. Happy was trying to placate them and Natsu was prepping to run forward and grab his friend if things went sideways. Suddenly Lucy was there and his eyes widened. In her hands were medical supplies. She handed them to Happy and he stared up at her. The creatures had fallen silent as she'd returned.
"Lushee…"
"Maybe they'll let you treat them. So they can won't have to worry about having to protect each other while injured."
"Aye sir." Happy murmured and turned back to the creatures. "This can help heal your wounds. If you'll let me use them."
The little one screeched and flipped its wings. "They aren't weapons. They are medicine. I promise."
Natsu watched as the little one riled up the big one. Lucy knelt beside Happy and lifted her left arm and before he or Happy realized what she was doing; she had grabbed her whip and used the handle to cut her arm. Her blood ran down and Natsu froze. The scalut had been trying to cover her arm but it had been held back and now that she was injured it was stopping out of sight. She held her hand out and Happy handed her one of the supplies. She held it up to her arm and showed the injury to the creatures. She pressed a button and a soft light lit up and when she lowered it; the bleeding had stopped. Happy handed her a second thing and she held it up and pressed the button and there was a soft mist. As it settled on her skin; the skin pulled back together.
"See…just healing tools. No weapons."
The larger creature shuffled forward and Lucy forced herself not to move. Natsu was tensed; and the scalut was trying to spread but Lucy was holding it back. Happy stood there, his legs trembling. A wingspan away; it stopped and turned its head and puffed out its chest.
Happy toddled over and held up the first tool and the light flared but the creature didn't move. He picked up the second tool and sprayed the mist. The creature shifted as it settled on its skin, and once it dissipated the creature calmed down. It had a small scar but it was closed and healed. The smaller one hurried over and shoved its head into Happy's chest, knocking him into Lucy. Natsu took a step forward but stopped when Lucy laughed.
"Okay, okay. You are excited." She handed Happy the light tool and the creature screeched.
"He wants you to heal him." He whispered and Lucy carefully held the tool up. The light flicked to life and the creature shuffled; its wings shaking as its lower body swayed. "He says it tickles."
"Well hopefully it doesn't mind the mister." She mentioned as the light came off. She held up the mister in question and sprayed it. The creature rolled its head, giving off a chirping screech.
"It's cold. But still tickles." Happy giggled and the larger creature nudged it's wing and it screeched and reached its head back and knocked it. Lucy and Happy didn't move. They just watched. The creatures calmed down and turned and looked at them. They screeched again.
"They say thanks. And they've decided we aren't what he said we were."
"Thank you." Lucy said and smiled at them. They screeched and the larger one turned its back on them and headed back to the nest that she'd disturbed. The smaller one wobbled on its claws. It leaned forward and nudged Lucy's head, gently, and then retreated and chirped.
"Thank you…friend." Happy choked out.
"Your welcome…friend." Lucy replied and the creature swayed and turned back and returned to the other.
"Luce." Natsu's voice made her and Happy jerk and they stood up and headed over to him. He immediately wrapped his arms around them and buried his face into Lucy's neck. Her arms wrapped around his waist and she felt him trembling.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered and he growled; the growl vibrating into her. He picked her up and Happy curled between their bodies. He stalked out of the shop and into the Magi-Hover. He sat down; cradling Lucy close and burying his nose into the crook of her neck. Happy wiggled out and scampered to a small panel that opened and he slid inside. Lucy ran her hands up and down Natsu's back.
"You were reckless." His voice was muffled against her neck, and she shivered.
"I know." Her voice was soft.
"I could have lost both of you,
"But you didn't."
"You didn't let the scalut protect you." He growled.
"I needed them to realize that they were medicine, not weapons."
"You didn't have to hurt yourself to do it." He shook his head, his arms tightening around her. She squeezed her eyes closed tightly. She stopped running her hands up and down her back. She ran her hands up to his hair and threaded her fingers into his pink tresses.
"I couldn't ask you or Happy to do it. Especially if it didn't work."
"The medical…"
"I meant that they didn't realize we weren't trying to hurt them. If they had turned violent…"
"Lucy!" He growled lifting his head, ready to scold her because what she was leading towards was what he had been thinking and experiencing. She was his growlkin! Only, when his eyes met hers, his anger disappeared. Her face was streaked with tears.
"Luce?"
"I'm sorry Natsu." She whispered and he cupped her face, his thumbs wiping at the tears. He couldn't speak; so instead he leaned forward; pressing his lips to her forehead. He felt her breath come out shakily. He turned his head, his nose running along her hairline. He pressed his lips to her right cheek and rubbed noses. Then he kissed her left cheek and then pressed his forehead to hers. He focused on breathing; feeling her own gently washing over his face.
"I'm sorry I yelled." He whispered and she shook her head but he kept holding her face in his hands. "No, I am. I'm sorry. You were thinking of us the entire time. You are always thinking about others."
"Natsu…"
"Lucy." He cut her off, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss. Her hands rose and wrapped around his forearms. He felt her fingers curl into his skin. He kissed her until he couldn't breathe and as he pulled back, she followed him. He rested his forehead to hers.
He watched as her eyelids fluttered before her eyes opened and she looked up at him. She moved her hands from his forearms to his neck and he watched as her eyes delved into his own. The Zodiacrian sparkle bright, but not as bright as the warmth that filled the brown pools. Her tears were there, waiting to be shed; but she held them back. He slowly started to move, his nose grazing the side of her face, along her jaw.
"Natsu I…"
She was interrupted when there was a shrill beep from the control panel. He growled and she rested her head against his shoulder as he urged the seat from where he had dropped into it; and to the panel.
"Hello?" He growled deeply.
"Uh…Natsu?" Wendy sounded hesitant and he cleared his throat.
"Yeah Wen?"
"Is…uh…everything okay?"
"Yeah. What's up?" He asked and they heard her shuffle.
"I saw that your close to me; and I need help. I got surrounded by some of all three."
"We'll be there soon. Stay in your shuttle." He stated and started to tap on required symbols. The Magi-Hover took off and he gave Wendy their ETA.
"Thank you Natsu!"
"Just stay safe." Lucy called out and Wendy promised, sighing with relief. When the line closed; Lucy looked up at Natsu and he met her expression. He cupped her face with one hand, tilting her face further back.
"Lucy…" He closed his eyes and when he opened them, he offered her a small smile. "Can you go check on Happy?"
"Su…sure." She swallowed and he left her up and she walked over to the panel and Alfie adjusted the panel opening so she could get in the room. As she stepped inside the room, the panel slid shut softly. And when it did, Natsu threw his head back and groaned. He couldn't believe himself.
If Wendy hadn't contacted when she did…he might have done something that he couldn't undo.
Lucy leaned against the wall her breathing fast and anger rose up inside her but she couldn't identify why she was angry. She slid down the wall and looked at Happy. He was on his back, sprawled out on a pillow twice the size of him; snoring. He snored worse than Natsu. Her lips twitched. She looked around and saw a blue scrap of cloth and pulled it free from the box. She leaned over and settled the cloth over him like a blanket. He rolled, snuggling into the cloth. She scratched his head.
He mumbled something about fish and she had to bite back her laughter. The anger still sat in her gut but she pushed it down. She lifted her hand to her lips and gently touched them. She could still feel the pressure of his lips on hers. There had been a hunger and an almost punishing heat to it. The kiss had surprised her, and the intensity of it shook her to her core. How was she supposed to think at all when he did something like that?
She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. She could still see the look in his eyes before he'd started moving his nose along her profile. It had been possessive. She dropped her head down, her chin hitting her chest. She focused on breathing.
After some time she got up and leaned over Happy and gave him one last pet before leaving his room. Natsu was sitting up at the front, so she stopped and turned, tapping on the food panel and pulled out a bottle of Rainbow Berries and Heboke Yellow Fruit.
"Need anything to drink?" She asked and he asked for some water. She handed it over and sat in her seat beside him. "How long until we get to Wendy?"
"Probably another…what you call ten minutes." He said and drank his water and focused on the information that Wendy was sending him from her Magi-Hover. Lucy took a deep breath as she looked at the flickering lights.
"She's in the middle of multiple nests."
"That's what it looks like." He agreed and she shook her head and he reached over and patted her arm awkwardly. "We'll save her."
"I know." She looked at him. "We can do anything as long as we're together."
"That's right." He nodded and looked back at the files but it felt awkward.
"I can't believe you all made it through that mess. I should have come to you!" Wendy's voice was full of concern and emotion and Lucy wrapped her up in a tight hug.
"Don't even think about it." Lucy said as she released the young girl. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Wendy said as Lucy looked her over, and Natsu saw the look in Wendy's eyes. For so long she had been the one to worry about the team; but someone was worrying about her. He shifted and Happy leapt down and hugged Wendy's leg. She reached down and scratched his head.
"Ok. You are really fine and not hiding anything." Lucy said to comfort herself and Natsu released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Wendy flushed and nodded. "Do we have a plan yet?"
"I think the best plan would be to fly out and call in Laxus. Multiple nests like this is unheard of." Wendy said cautiously.
"We were warned about the mixing of the nests. This could be part of that." Lucy objected and Natsu nodded. The bluenette deflated. Lucy put a hand on her shoulder. "You stay here. Natsu, Happy and I will go out there and take care of this."
"I'm a Dragis and…"
"Are a healer. If anything happens to us; we'll need you." Natsu interjected; he felt a sweeping swell of concern and it nearly took him to his knees. Her blue eyes were wide and he saw the fear, uncertainty and shame. "There is nothing to be ashamed of."
"I'm supposed to be a warrior."
"No." Lucy shook her head and cupped the girl's cheek. "You should be a child. That's what you are Wendy. Being a warrior was thrust on you and everyone else without asking what you wanted. It's okay to not be a warrior when that isn't what you want for yourself."
"Lucy's right. Wendy, why didn't you say something sooner?"
"I"m a Dragis. Everyone looks at us to be the best fighters." Wendy shrugged. "I can't let them down."
"Being a healer; wouldn't let them down. It's better to play to your strengths than to suffer hating every minute of your day…your life." Lucy objected. The girl looked up at her. Happy leapt up and curled around Wendy's shoulders and rubbed his head against hers.
"Natsu and Lucy are right. You are the best healer around." He flicked his tail lazily. "And we'd all be sad if you got hurt fighting and we found out later you didn't want to be out there."
"So you won't be upset if I stay back?" She asked softly and Natsu shook his head and put his arm around Lucy's shoulders.
"Of course not. We trust you to be prepared to treat us if anything happens."
"But there are so many nests." Wendy worried and Lucy looked up at Natsu.
"Alfie?"
"Yes Lucy?" The AI came to life quickly.
"Connect a comm line with the next closest Dragis please."
"One skert." Alfie hummed and then there was as click.
"What's up Wendy?" Gray asked with a yawn.
"Natsu and I are with Wendy and we need help." Lucy said and they heard movement not he other end.
"I have the coordinates for Wendy's Magi-Hover. I should be there soon."
"Cool. Try to land as close to hers as possible. We are in the middle of multiple nests." Natsu informed him and there was a tapping sound and then a grunt. "You okay Ice Head?"
"Yeah Sizzle Slug I'm fine." Gray's voice was painfully dry and Lucy's lips quirked. "I looked at the Draconic scan and you all are in a big mess."
"Tell us about it." Natsu laughed. "But I think between you, me, Lucy and Happy we'll get these wiped out in no time."
"Why didn't you include Wendy? Is she hurt." There was more tapping and they heard Alfie's voice warn that he was pushing the thrusters at nearly their full capabilities.
"I'm fine. But I was going to hang back in case anyone got hurt."
"Oh…thank goodness that's all. I'll be there soon and we'll plan the attack better."
"Sounds good." The line went dead and Lucy looked at Wendy who was blushing.
"See…everyone cares about you. You are more important than being a body in the battle field."
"Thanks Lucy." Wendy hugged the girl and Natsu watched as Lucy rubbed her chin over the bluenette's hair. He reached over and ruffled Wendy's hair which made her giggle. Happy purred and leapt down and walked over to the table.
"You got any fish Wendy?"
"Happy!" Lucy and Natsu scolded while Wendy pulled away laughing.
"I think it's probably best if Lucy sticks closer to the Magi-Hovers." Gray argued against the plan that Lucy take the nests to the left which were further out.
"There are less draconics around there. It makes more sense to put me where there are fewer to fight." She rubbed the bridge of her nose and Natsu agreed calmly. He didn't like that she wouldn't be close; but they needed to wipe out the draconics around here.
Lucy shot him a look and he shook his head when Wendy and Gray weren't looking. The three of them had agreed to not mention the hybrid creatures; out of fear that Laxus or Gray would immediately return to the store and try to wipe them out. They'd given their words and they wanted to hold out as long as they could. But now they were worried that they would run into more.
"Fine. I don't like it but I'll go along with the plan." Gray conceded. Wendy had pulled out food and made a meal while they all talked about how to attack.
"What if someone gets hurt and surrounded? It would be dangerous to open a comm line."
"I have something to help." Alfie interjected making them all jerk in surprise. On the table rose a small platform and on it were four small disks. "These are to be placed on your skin. They will send a signal back to this unit; and allow Wendy to track your health signatures."
"That's cool." Lucy said and picked up a disk. "Where do we place them? On your clothing?"
"Place it on your skin; the closer to vital organs the better." Alfi said and Lucy slid her hand under her shirt and pushed the scalut to the side pressed it close to her sternum.
"How does it…" Her mouth dropped open and Natsu, Gray and Wendy covered their ears as she screamed in a high pitch sound. It wasn't long but it still stopped them all. "Ow."
"Lucy are you okay?" Natsu asked and he glared around the room.
"A little warning next time Alfie." Lucy said and she grabbed Natsu's hand and squeezed it. "It was more the surprise than the pain. It attaches with multiple needle like things."
"Ughhh." Gray glowered at the disk and Happy bit his lip as he grabbed one and put it over his chest. His eyes got big and he started crying.
"Even with a warning it hurts." He wailed and Lucy pulled him to her lap and slowly rubbed his head.
"Come on, lets just get it over with." Natsu said and Gray nodded. They picked up a disk and put it over their chests and both gasped and grabbed the table. The table crunched as their hands curled into it. After a few seconds they both let out shaky breaths.
"That sucked." Gray swore and Wendy bit her lips. Alfie turned on a screen and they saw four lines of data start to fill the screen.
"Lucy is the top line; Happy is next, followed by Gray and ending with Natsu." Alfie informed them. "And I am sorry I did not prepare you for the discomfort of the disks more. I have learned from Earth-Land air files that it is often better to not describe what is about to happen."
"Your planet is savage." Gray sneered and Lucy nodded. She could only imagine what file Alfie got that from. She hoped it wasn't an action movie.
"What else can these disks do?" Lucy asked and she glared down at her chest.
"They also have a tracking program that will allow Wendy to find you." Alfie murmured. "I have inputted you and Natsu's biometric history into the health tracking program so we know your bases. When you step out, double tap the disk and it will start the entirety of the program. Another double tap will turn it off when the mission is over."
"What if we get hit twice in the area of the disk?" Gray asked and there was a hum.
"The disk will only respond to your biometrics. Anyone making contact with the disk does not read it."
"That's good." Natsu said and he rubbed his chest. The disk was raised on his chest and he looked down at it in annoyance.
"What is wrong? Your expression is registering as one of annoyance." Alfie said and Natsu looked around and then sighed before looking at Lucy.
"You broke the AI."
"I did not." She rolled her eyes.
"It never used to be this chatty." Gray added and Lucy shook her head.
"You are not answering my inquiry." Alfie reminded Natsu and he looked down at his chest.
"It's sticking out and it is weird. Could also be considered a target if seen by any unfriendly human or Mard Geer."
"Valid concern. One moment."
Suddenly all four gasped and Lucy started to tear up. Wendy watched as the metrics on the screen showed distress and elevated pain levels. Her eyes moved over Natsu and Gray and her mouth fell open. The disks were burrowing under the skin. After a few moments the disks were gone and they stopped gasping. Lucy wiped at her face and shook her head.
"Not cool Alfie." Lucy whined and Natsu cupped her chin and made her look at him.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah…it only hurt while it did that." She said and she wasn't lying. Once it had stopped burrowing the pain had disappeared. He rubbed her jaw with his thumb and then stood up.
"Next time warn us." He ordered and walked to the bathing chamber and came back with four wet towels. They all wiped the blood of their skin; Lucy having to figure it out under her shirt. The scalut was defensive against the towel.
"Well now that we've been fully tagged. Let's get to work." Gray said and stood up. He ruffled Wendy's hair and headed for the door. Natsu also ruffled her hair and then looked at Lucy and Happy. Happy was hugging Wendy and then as Lucy wrapped the girl in her arms; he got out from between them and walked over to Gray and held onto his pant leg. Lucy pulled back and winked at Wendy.
"We'll be fine. And back before you know it."
"Okay." Wendy waved at the screen. "And I'll be waiting. I have some emergency packs set and ready to go if needed."
"Thanks Wen. We'll see you soon." Natsu promised and the four jumped out of the Magi-Hover and the panel slid shut as Wendy watched their backs shrinking as they walked away from her.