Chapter Thirty-Three
"Natsu! Natsu! Natsu!" The girls from Magnolia University cheered. Lucy punching the air with both fists. He grinned, his smile softening when he caught her eye. Then he leapt and flipped into the center of the area.
He had changed his outfit. He wore a sleeveless vest; a white scarf that looked made of scales around his neck; and long black pants that flared out around his legs but tightened at the ankles. His scales shone as if polished under the lights. He closed his hands into fists and bowed before the audience. When he straightened; his eyes were closed. Flames started to flare around his feet. They were subtle as first. Shining brightly against the stone floor.
"When did the floor change?" Cana wondered aloud but no one answered. Too enthralled by the subtle changes of Natsu.
More flames appeared. Circular rings of flames rose over his body and then fading away above him. Their number and speed increasing with every passing breath. Until he was hidden from view in a tower of fire. People gasped in awe. Rouge cheered in the back telling whoever was close to watch closely.
Lucy's heart was racing as Natsu's flames suddenly went out. His clothes unmarred; but his appearance had changed. Horns sprouted from the crown of his head, twisting forward; his hair darker, his skin so tan it bordered on black. His scales brighter shades of pinks and reds. His muscles were more defined and many females; human and alien alike murmured about it. But Lucy wasn't upset. She understood. She too was in awe of his new appearance.
"Natsu." She whispered his name and his head snapped up. Flames bleeding from his eyes. As he opened his mouth, his fangs were longer than normal, and sharper. Lucy shivered as he threw his head back and fire erupted in a swirl. The heat washing over the crowd.
He leapt, spinning into his own flame, the sweeping motion of his leg making the flames dance around him. Everyone was mesmerized as he flung his arms high; flames coming out like wings. He spun again, the flames growing larger and brighter. When he touched down, he was crouching and he leapt up while spinning sideways. The flames encompassing him. Making a long tube and the tube grew larger and he managed to go from laying horizontal to standing upright in the tunnel.
Gajeel and Gray appeared behind the tube; and everyone watched as they each picked up a large tree trunk looking item and tossed it at him. He spun, his hair whipping in the wind created by the spinning flames; and he punched the item. His arm tore through it and it landed on the outer side; scorch marks on both sides.
"How pretty!" Levy gasped. The scorch marks had branded the wood like substance in a swirling pattern that looked intentional.
Lucy's eyes never left Natsu as he spun, the flames falling back onto him. He opened his arms wide and brought the flames in, moving his arms and hands until the fire condensed into a medicine ball sized sphere. He rolled it along his left arm, over his shoulders and down his right. He threw it up and Gray shot it with ice; freezing it instantly. Gajeel fired metal spheres the size of buckshot; and as it collided with the frozen fireball; it shattered. Sending tiny bits everywhere. There was a shriek, but it stopped as Lucy stood. Her hands reached out instantly; trusting that this wouldn't hurt.
She caught one shard and held it in her hand. There was a living flame flickering in the ice. She giggled and looked up to Natsu. He was breathing hard; smiling at her. Everyone was collecting the pieces and oohing and awing. The children calling them fire gems. Natsu inhaled deeply and spun around. Once again, the flames erupted and he danced through them; the motions similar to his fighting moves; but tamer. And the dance was beautiful.
Lucy had sank back down but her attention was so drawn by Natsu's movements; she didn't realize that a young boy, whose skin looked similar to a lizard inched onto the field. As the dance ended; the boy stood up, a tube in his hands. Everyone gasped as he lifted it to his lips and blew and brightly colored flames shot forward.
"That's Romeo! His dad had that stall that had the flames Natsu was eating earlier!" Mirajean pointed out. And as the flames flew by Natsu; he moved; his motions making the colorful flames circle around him. Romeo kept firing more colored flames. And suddenly; to the amazement of everyone; a picture had formed with the colored flames. It was an open field; full of bright flowers.
The females went wild in admiration. Lucy's hand went to her chest. She recognized that field. She'd seen it on one of the video files. It was Edolas. She stood up, her breath caught. He spun and flung his arms and the colored flames shifted. The image was now the church in Magnolia with it's ruined facade. The girls murmured; recognizing it. Lucy took in the image and stared; in awe. He moved again.
Her face was formed and there were hoots and hollers but she didn't pay them attention. The image of her made of flames was from the shoulders up; and she realized that it showed her in the outfit he'd first seen her wearing. Her hand went to her chest. "Natsu…"
He spun, and Romeo fired even more colored flames at him. He incorporated the new flames and the image changed; and started to move. Everyone watched as Lucy appeared; moving through an alley and up a fire escape. Draconics appeared and people booed. When a Draconic latched onto Lucy there were shouts and when she pushed herself off of the roof; even more.
When an arm caught her; cheers went off. They knew who it was but they couldn't see him. They saw Lucy, from his point of view. They saw her staring at him; her eyes wide; shift; then her moving and taking him down. A Draconic crawling over the edge and then him taking flight. As the flames dwindled; Romeo gave him more to work with.
Now the image was Wendy; hooked up to her healing machine to help Erza, Mirajean and Elfman. Then her starting to fall and Lucy leaping to catch her. Their shift in appearances making everyone gasp; both horrified and mystified. Lucy watched; for the first time seeing what she had looked like. She gasped; her hands covering her mouth.
The image shifted and they saw Lucy surrounded by children on the Guild Station. Playing and making them laugh. Her eyes wide and bright. The kids cheered pointing themselves and their friends out. Levy appeared and played with them all.
The images faded and people bemoaned their loss.
"Oh Natsu." He was breathing hard; sweat rolling down his neck. Lucy stared at him and he smiled at her. A wide smile that showed all the teeth. He straightened and raised his arms. He sent some flames up and jumped around; dancing again with the flames. At last he stopped; his appearance back to normal and everyone clapped. Lucy rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him; even as he tried to prevent her.
"Luce, I'm all sweaty and sooty."
"I don't care." She said and looped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. He hugged her back and then pulled back and cupped her chin, lifting her face to his.
"Are you ready for your show?"
"I guess I have to be." She smiled up at him and he lowered his forehead to hers.
"Get a room!" Cana shouted and people snickered. Lucy tilted her head, his hand released her chin and cupped her cheek. He stroked her cheek and stared down into her brown eyes. They were filled with warmth and shimmering with emotions. He saw a flicker of the Zodiathian shine but then it was just her brown eyes again. She pressed her lips to his hand and pulled away. Gray slapped a mug into Natsu's hand now that it was free and Levy, Mirajean and Yukino pulled Lucy away as well.
Max appeared and looked around. "Guess we got a special double feature there huh?"
People moaned at the corny joke but then laughter followed. He smiled as Wendy appeared and threw her arms back and brought them forward and blew; cool air circling the level after the heat of the flames; that most of them hadn't even realized had been slowly going up because they'd been so invested in his show.
"Now; if everyone will turn their attention…" Max was cut off as the floors shifted; and everyone gasped. The floors rotated until they were facing the windows. "I guess the Guild Station turned our attention for us. Thank you."
"You are welcome." The A.I. quipped and it made people giggle and chuckle. Max shook his head. He looked around and smiled.
"Now; prepare yourself for a show that Natsu promised will be great. Show your spirit for Lucy Heartfilia! Playing…some Earth thing…"
"It's a piano!" The kids corrected enthusiastically. Max nodded and cleared his throat dramatically.
"Playing a PIANO!" The kids cheered. Natsu, Gray and Gajeel jointed Levy and Mirajean where they had returned to their seats from helping Lucy get ready. Theirs numbers letting them move quickly so not to leave the crowd sitting bored too long.
Lucy walked up from the side and people got quiet. She was wearing the scalut; but it looked smoother than normal; it's color the same shade of pink as Natsu's hair. Flowing white fabric had been draped around her waist and made a skirt that she fluffed out as she sat at the bench. She opened the piano and took a deep breath as she looked at the keys. She hadn't been able to play the last two years; but she'd practiced with a cardboard keyboard she'd made. Usually at night after everyone had retired to their own rooms.
She started to play; starting with lullabies that the kids knew and sang off key to. Then she flowed effortlessly into harder pieces. The sounds echoing everywhere. The humans nodded in appreciation; but now it was the members of the Guild Station's turn to be mesmerized. She played slow music that moved effortlessly to quicker tempos. Then the tempos shifted to something that the Guild Station residents couldn't quite recognize.
"Jazz." Cana murmured softly.
"Debussy." Levy chimed in and everyone watched as her fingers moved effortlessly. She slowed down and took a small break; clenching and unclenching her fingers. She shook them and turned to the crowd and smiled. Natsu was beaming at her with a dreamy look in his eyes. Her eyes moved across the crowd and landed on her parents who were holding onto each other and crying. Pride in their eyes. She turned her attention back to the keyboard. Emotions she didn't want to name filled her.
She started to play again and Natsu perked up. Erza tilted her head. "What song is this?"
"Sonata of the Stars." Natsu answered and everyone watched as Lucy played. Something about the tune was enthralling and magical. Captivating all of them. Natsu looked around, seeing how it was holding everyone's attention. General Makarov had lowered his mug and was leaning forward, his eyes closed and his mustache lifted on a half smile. Levy was leaning against Gajeel; PantherLilly curled in his arms; all three had smiles on their faces while their eyes were closed. Bixlow had lain down; his head in Lisanna's lap and Evergreen leaning into Elfman's side. Freed and Mirajean were leaning against Laxus; and even the lightening Dragis had his eyes closed and a fairly serene look on his face.
Layla's eyes were closed; tears running down her face. Her arms were tight around Jude and he looked proud but stern. Natsu turned his attention back to Lucy. The stars outside were shining brighter. They started to twinkle and shimmy. And Natsu watched as shooting stars started to streak across the sky behind her.
"Luce." He whispered and her lips quirked up and she relaxed more into the song. Her head tilting to the lilting melody. The tempo slowed down and the stars started to shine brighter and the lights inside of the Station dimmed. The light made Lucy appear to glow. He felt a pull in his chest and he got up and joined her on the bench, sitting with his back to the piano.
"They're glowing mama." A little voice whispered in awe. Levy opened her eyes and sure enough; Lucy and Natsu were glowing.
The glow was a mixture of golden light and the reddish light that came from Natsu's flames. The two lights merged together and settled over them in a copper hue. Natsu tilted his head, gently touching the side of Lucy's. He opened his right hand, a small flame flaring to life. He lifted it to his lips and blew into it gently. It floated upwards growing larger and larger the higher it went.
An image flickered. Lucy started to replay the song and the image flared to life brighter. Much like with Natsu's flames; they were shown images. Life in the dorm; training with Erza; planting and weeding with Levy. Levy started to cry softly as she watched as Lucy smeared soil over her face; recalling that day vividly for the first time in a long time. One of the few happy moments over the last two years.
Then they saw the alley. The Draconics closing in. They saw the arm catch her and throw her over. Then Natsu appearing and her taking him down before he turned and attacked. Then they saw stained glass and then Natsu appeared with food. They saw him help her gather supplies; go back to the dorm and then protect the girls. They saw the goodbye on the roof.
"No!" A little girl whimpered as he flew off.
The image shifted and they saw, from Lucy's point of view; the fight with the raiders and running from the Draconics. Tension filled the room. Suddenly darkness shifted to light and Natsu appeared from thin air and she was embraced and taken into the Magi-Hover. Then the library appeared. Scenes moved quickly. Then there was Natsu and Lucy alone in the abandoned building; Draconics crawling on the windows. It shifted more; and they saw the ride through the stars. Arriving on the Guild Station. The faces swirled around as things moved. Then slowed. They saw Natsu sleeping in the nest, and whistles went up.
Layla blushed and Jude grunted in annoyance and paternal outrage. Then the images stopped. But the music kept playing. They were silent until the last note faded. It started with a single clap and then the level came to life with roars of applause. Lucy jerked, turning to look at the crowd and she started to blush. Natsu helped her to stand and stepped back as she curtsied. She turned and held out her left hand and he took it. She turned back and smiled at everyone. She watched as her parents turned away and headed off of the level. She bit her lip to keep from frowning. Natsu squeezed her hand and she tilted her head back and looked up at him.
"You were amazing." He whispered, his tone reverent.
"Thank you." She whispered and smiled up at him. She turned and buried her head in the crook of his neck; inhaling his scent and feeling calmness wash over her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in tight. He rested his cheek on the top of her head and held her as people came up to congratulate her on her performance.
"You were holding out on us Lucy!" Yukino pouted and Lucy giggled and apologized.
"Yeah, not cool hiding all that talent so long." Cana gave her a hug and looked down at her. "I'm going to have to request weekly concerts now."
"Cana!" Lucy laughed and shook her head.
"Listen…" Cana was about to rebuttal when a cry went up. Natsu perked up.
"What is that?"
"The trees are starting to glow!" He cheered and everyone headed for the rows of trees. The humans stood back while all the Guild Station inhabitants circled the trees. Natsu dragged Lucy with him to the tree the other Dragis encircled. General Makarov raised a brow but didn't comment.
None of them were too concerned. Magic from the Rainbow Sakuras didn't affect those who were magicless. It was just surprising to have one actually join into the ceremony.
"Natsu, I think I should hang back…" Lucy whispered as the trees started to glow.
"Please…stay." He asked and looked down at her.
"I'm not magical…" She shook her head and he nuzzled close.
"You don't have to be. Your my growlkin, and I'd like you to stand beside me. Please?"
"Okay." She gave in and he smiled and nuzzled her face again and she blushed. He inhaled her scent and smiled. He turned his attention to the tree. The glow started to reach them and he shivered. The feeling of magic brushing against his senses.
He felt Lucy shiver and intertwined his fingers with hers. She squeezed his fingers back and rested her head on his shoulder. They took a deep breath together. He opened his eyes and saw Gajeel's eyes narrowed on Lucy. He felt his scales tense. He looked down and saw that she was glowing again. It was soft; and he knew that to anyone whose eyes weren't as strong as a Dragis' the glow wouldn't look different than that from the tree. But it was. It was brighter, more golden than the whitened hue that surrounded everyone else.
"Luce?" She titled her head and opened her eyes. He saw it then. The gleam of the Zodiathians. He saw the swirls of magic in her warm brown depths and his breath stuttered.
"Natsu?" She asked, concern lacing her tone.
"You are so…perfect." He whispered and she blushed and shook her head, hiding from his view. She snuggled close to his side but refused to look up at him again. He tightened his arm around her, and looked over at Gajeel and bared a fang. The Dragis rolled his eyes, the red laser focused on Lucy before he closed them and titled his head back. Embracing the magic that was starting to seep out of the trees.
"Look," Levy's voice carried over to them. "The trees are sparkling."
"The Sakura Trees are about to dispense their magic." The A.I. announced. "Please prepare."
Everyone held their breath, watching as the trees emitted one long burst of glowing light. Then bright shimmering power was expelled and all the humans watched in awe as the shimmering collected on the individuals around the trees. Making them all glow.
Natsu felt Lucy's breath hitch. His thumb stroked the back of her hand and she squeezed his fingers.
Lucy forced her breathing to stay calm, but she felt a warmth filling her. Something new, something she'd never felt before. But she wasn't scared by the warm feeling. It felt familiar somehow. She turned her face and breathed in Natsu's scent. He shifted and she felt him wrap his free arm around her. She turned and wrapped her arm around him in return. She felt a sense of security race through her. More than she'd ever felt before. She lifted her eyes and his green eyes were glowing, looking down at her.
She saw the sparks of magic flowing into his eyes; making the green sparkle with brighter and brighter embers of power. Her mouth fell open as the power surged visible. Natsu grinned, making the scales around his eyes shift and she smiled, then giggled. His laughter joined hers and soon laughter echoed around all the trees. Happy zoomed by, his wings flapping strongly.
"The trees are done for this cycle's release." The A.I. announced and the celebration started. The laughter, the chanting and singing of various races rose into he air. All united by the magic that wove through them.
Natsu led Lucy back to her friends who were reaching for the last flickers of magic. They chattered animatedly and headed for some food stalls. Suddenly ravenous. Natsu chuckled softly as they talked in circles around each other. Lucy tilted her head back and looked up at him and he smiled down at her. She scrunched her nose up at him and he booped it which made her giggle.
Soon they were all sitting around eating and laughing. Gray, Gajeel, Laxus, Freed, Mirajean and Elfman joined them as they sat around the windows and the piano. Children were running around playing even as their mothers tried to wrangle them in for the night. But the excitement was too much for them after the entire festival.
"Man…I'm beat. You all must be dead on your feet." Erza yawned and the Dragis and Freed shrugged.
"The magic energized them. They could probably skip sleeping for the next six months." Lucy joked and Natsu chuckled and held out his air candy for her. She took a bit and her nose scrunched up. "Why is it spicy?"
"Because that dolt offered up blue ember air candy to you. That stuff is spicy." Gajeel chortled at her. She shook her head and Natsu stroked her cheek.
"Sorry. I heard you telling the others you missed something that was supposed to be spicy."
"Chips and salsa…which aren't that spicy." She giggled. "Remember, humans are weaker than fire Dragis."
"I'm sorry." He chuckled and she shrugged and Levy handed her a mug of something cool to drink.
"Ahh..there you Brats are."
"Gramps!" They all greeted General Makarov and he shook his head.
"Well I hate to ruin the merriment, but I'm afraid I have to."
"Oh?" Laxus asked and tensed and his grandfather nodded.
"I received a report; you all will be heading to the surface by the end of the next lunar cycle."
"That soon?" Levy asked and he nodded. She looked at Lucy who nodded solemnly. She knew her friend was going down with the Dragis; and she knew she couldn't go down. Lucy and Makarov had already told her that they wanted her on the Station working with Droy on cultivating the crops.
"I'm afraid so my dear. I'll have formal orders in the morning."
"Understood." They all stated and Freed looked at everyone. He hated that the excitement had died down. But it was also the way their lives worked.
"Well…" Cana inhaled a long pull from her drink. "Let's make tonight count! Let's party!"
"I agree." Lucy jumped up and Natsu's mouth dropped as she spun and grabbed Levy; pulling her up with her. "Let's have fun before we have to go back to real life."
"I think we can manage that." Erza murmured and joined them.
"Hey A.I." Natsu called up as he stood.
"Yes?" It hummed to life at his call.
"Can you play Earth-land music? Like from the videos I saw of Lucy dancing with her friends?"
"Of course."
Pop music flooded the level; leaving all the individuals still on it surprised before they started to dance. Lights started to dim and then more colorful lights flared around. The human girls laughed as they tried to teach the various aliens how to dance to their music. Time drifted away from them. For the rest of the night and into the early morning; they all got to forget who they were, where they were and what was coming.