Chapter 12: A War to Come
[Previously:]
Natsu picked up Lucy bridal-style as she buried her face into his white-scaled scarf. Lucy's arms wrapped around his neck. No one watched them this time as the two made their way upstairs… When arriving at one of the guest rooms, Natsu set Lucy on the bed and locked the door.
Getting into bed, he wrapped his arms around Lucy's waist while his tail did the same to her legs, wings placed over them like a blanket to provide heat. Lucy glanced at Natsu with tears sliding down her cheek. Frowning, Natsu licked her tears away and nuzzled her cheek lovingly, tryin' to stop her from crying. It wasn't long before Lucy fell asleep in his arms, Natsu still awake… Vowing to stand guard and protect his mate while she rested. Taking in her scent, Natsu placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead.
The dragon slayer then started thinking about all the things that happened, scowling.
…Just you wait, Lisanna. Fairy Tail will be coming for you—You got four pissed off dragon slayers and the strongest guild in Fiore after you—There won't be a prayer in Earthland, Edolas, or any world to save you.
(Lucy POV.)
I woke up hearing laughter and cheers downstairs, the sound making me groan and moving closer to where it was warm, trying to drown out the noise. I was close to falling back asleep until feeling someone nuzzle my cheek to wake up.
Huffing, after a while, I gave in and sleepily cracked my eyes open to see forest-green eyes staring back.
Natsu grinned, showing off his canines as I yawned and sat up in bed. Looking back at Natsu to see he was in his usual dragon-form, I smiled slightly and ran my fingers through his pink hair, careful about the horns. Natsu's dragon-tail starts wagging excitedly, the sight making me giggle, 'Aw, how cute. He's like a puppy!'
I stared at my surroundings, noticing a window showing the outside as the sun rose. Although that's when I realized I wasn't in my room or the safe-house anymore. Memories of yesterday starting to come back as I frowned. Noticing my frown, Natsu's eyes held concern and I was about to tell him I was fine but then something clicked—My keys!
My eyes widened, frantically looking around the room, hoping to see them somewhere. Turning to Natsu, I could tell he was worried, "Natsu, where are my keys?!" His nose scrunched in confusion at first before understanding, "Don't worry. Levy has them! But they've been glowing all night…" Nodding at the answer, I asked if we could go downstairs.
However when we did, everyone noticed our appearances and got quiet. I squirmed, feeling uncomfortable from the stares. Natsu must've noticed because he growled at everyone that had them averting their eyes. I took in the guild surroundings to see tables were broken and a pillar was snapped in half, even a huge hole in the roof that was badly patched up. In fact, everyone was sitting on opposite sides of the dragon slayers.
Finally making it down to the guild floors, I rushed over to Laxus, Mirajane, Gajeel, Levy, Carla… and is that Wendy?! The six were sitting all together at one table, Natsu following behind me. As I got closer, all the dragon slayers tensed when feeling someone walking toward them, but one glance had them relaxing when they realized it was just Natsu and I.
"Levy-chan! Do you have my keys? They must be worried sick about me!" I questioned in concern, Levy turning as her face brightened at the sight of me awake… So did Mirajane. Both girls stood, hugging me tightly as Natsu huffed at the closeness but for once, he didn't mind. Levy went back to the table, rummaging through her bag, "Not to worry Lu-chan! I grabbed them before we left for the guild," pulling out fifteen keys that were intensity glowing and rattling: Ten golden keys and five silver ones.
Sensing their master nearby, the keys started jingling and glowing brighter than before. I beamed, thanking Levy before taking my keys from her hands… The instant I touched them, I could feel the warmth of emotion from relief to concern. But I relaxed, knowing my spirits were safe, alright, and here with me. Mirajane then handed me a brown belt as I fixed it, hooking my keys on the side of my hip.
After making sure my spirits were secured, I glanced around for Master Makarov and spotted him at the bar. Natsu didn't leave my side as I headed over to him. "Master…" Inhaling and taking a deep breath, I continued, "I'm ready to explain what happened." Master opened his eyes, concern swirling through them before nodding, "Very well my child. Please… You, Mirajane, Levy, and the male dragon slayers take a seat in the middle of the guild and tell us your side of the story."
Nodding, I sweatdropped to find that we all had to sit around the broken table that wasn't cleaned up yet… Though the dragon slayers seemed more helpful to clear the debris with their tails, sweeping the area. Natsu sat in the middle, between Gajeel and Laxus, pulling me into his lap and practically cocooning me with his wings. I noticed Gajeel and Laxus did the same… It seemed the dragon slayers still didn't trust the guild enough, remaining guarded.
Everyone else sat in front of them, close but not too close… Of course, in the front row was Erza, Gray, Juvia, Cana, Happy, Panther Lily, Master Makarov, and even Wendy in her dragon form with Carla sitting on her lap. The second row consisted of Elfman, Evergreen, Freed, Bickslow, Jet, Droy, Romeo, and even Loke, as he suddenly appeared in a golden flash. The celestial spirit was careful to not be seen by Natsu as the guild waited for them to speak.
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and started from the beginning, "It was dark outside, and all of us were in our own rooms… Natsu and I, Gajeel and Levy, Laxus and Mira… We were all asleep. Then, I heard a noise, like a door opening. At first I didn't think anything of it and slowly drifted back asleep, until Natsu growled and pulled me closer as a familiar voice shouted that had me snapping my eyes open—I-I was paralyzed at who I saw, because there standing in front was Lisanna and she held a dagger that was coming for me. When I came back to reality, I screamed… and I… and I put my hands up to shield myself. But it didn't come… instead, fire shot out of my hands and Lisanna crashed into the wall with wide eyes. Soon, tears started falling because I couldn't believe it and when I whispered her name. Lisanna… She just smirked before grabbing the dagger off the floor. Except this time, Natsu saved me as she crashed through the walls. I didn't waste time to stumble out of bed and ran towards the bathroom door—all I heard was shouting and then… gunshots? I managed to dodge them, an instinct that became second nature after all those jobs with Team Natsu, but I tripped, and one must've got me because the next thing I know everything felt fuzzy and black…"
Mirajane hesitated before speaking, noticing my dazed-out expression, "I can take it from here Lucy." Nodding, everyone turned to Mirajane in surprise… This must be harder on the she-devil than anything. Even Elfman straightened up.
"Laxus and I woke up when something, or now, someone crashed through our wall. At first, Levy and I were terrified, not knowing what was going on while Laxus and Gajeel stood in a battle stance. Then… Natsu. We saw him in his dragon form and growling dangerously at a certain area where dust and dirt covered the intruder. I assumed Natsu was the one that was responsible for the damage, but we panicked cause we couldn't see Lucy anywhere—Honestly, I didn't want to think, you know in case it was Lucy that was in the pile of rubble, but it turns out… It turns out, it was my L-Lisanna… my little s-sister," Mirajane choked, mouth covering her mouth as tears fell. Levy and Lucy stared at the older Strauss in sympathy.
"It's okay Mira… I'll take it from here—I, well, it was strange because Lisanna had this evil look in her eyes, but Natsu told us to go check on Lu-chan. Yet when we went into the bathroom, we started to cry because L-Lucy looked almost… dead. She was so pale and in a puddle of blood—Her shoulder was bleeding and for whatever reason it just wouldn't stop! Then all of a sudden, her mating mark glowed as her skin practically was hot to the touch. I think… The mating mark healed her, and the provided heat melted the bullet that was inside. Though Lucy had lost a lot of blood, we waited until there were no more sounds of fighting to see the dragon slayers facing a beaten-up Lisanna. But all she did was smile evilly at Lucy, saying that it wasn't over and then… Lisanna used dark magic! She used dark magic to transport herself somewhere—That's when we decided it was best to come to the guild," Levy explained in a calm fashion, despite being concerned about the Lisanna situation that involved dark magic.
Everyone was shocked, but even more that it was Lisanna behind this—Master Makarov processed this new information but got up and sternly faced the guild, "Listen up! One of our family member's lives has been threatened by our very own… An action that is unforgivable! If Lisanna wishes to wage war with Fairy Tail, then so be it! We'll show no mercy—Now, if she is working with dark magic, we must prepare… No dark wizard comes alone, there is always one that follows. So I want everyone to be on guard, no missions and if you leave the guild, it will be in a group fashion. We'll not take any chances, Fairy Tail will protect its own and come out victorious!"
"YEAHH!" Everyone but the dragon slayers, Mirajane, Levy, and I shouted with determination.
Getting up from Natsu's lap, I went to sit on one of the tables until a pat was felt on my leg. "Lushie…?" Looking down, I saw Happy… He looked close to tears, ears pinned back. Softening, I smiled and picked up the blue Exceed. The moment I did, he buried his face in my chest and sobbed, mumbling apologies. Hearing a growl, I turned to see Natsu glaring at Happy, but I pulled him closer and scowled… This time Natsu glared at me before pouting. This time with Happy in my arms, I went to where Laxus, Mirajane, Gajeel, Levy, Panther Lily, Wendy, and Carla were sitting. Natsu slid in the seat next to me, an arm draped over my shoulder in a protective manner as I pet Happy between his ears, purrs rumbling from him.
The guild went back to their normal business, talking among each other as I made a conversation with Levy and Mirajane. Wendy whispered to Carla as she tried not to glance at Romeo—Panther Lily and Happy we're taking naps, finally relaxing ever since this mating season started. But the dragon slayers stayed alert, not letting their guard down.
Hearing walking footsteps and metal clanking toward us, I glanced up when Gajeel growled at the new visitors. Erza and Gray held their hands up, showing they were unarmed and not a threat.
"Erza! Gray!" I shouted happily, only to shut up when Natsu's glare directed at me for saying another male's name. Laughing nervously, I picked Happy up as the two of us sat on Natsu's lap… The moment I did, Natsu wrapped his arms around my waist, careful not to bother Happy and placing his chin on my shoulder. Scowling at a nervous Gray.
"It's good to see you guys! I missed you all so much," I said, Levy and Mirajane nodding in agreement with smiles of their own.
Erza smiled, "It's good to see you as well, Lucy. However, I apologize for not protecting you well enough… You may hit me if you wish."
Mirajane, Levy, Gray and I sweatdropped, while Natsu scrunched his nose, almost as if he was contemplating the offer. Gray cleared his throat, "Yeah, good to see you girls unharmed. Glad that reckless flame-brai—*Cough, Cough* I-I mean, Natsu took great care of you Lucy! Yeah… Of course that's what I was gonna say!" I giggled, finding it cute that Natsu was making Gray anxious for the first time.
Levy then suggested the two sit with us, and after a lot of convincing and glaring at the dragon slayers… They agreed. Only if Gray sat away from Levy, Mirajane and me.
Now, we were all laughing and talking with one another… Even Gray, Laxus, Gajeel, and Natsu started to loosen up as if the mating season wasn't in effect. The guild softened to see Erza was back to eating strawberry cake and Happy woke up later on in the day, eating fish. Panther Lily was in Levy's lap, listening in on the conversation that was going on, while Carla drank some of her favorite herbal tea. Gray, Erza, Mirajane, Levy, Wendy and I were discussing a topic, the male dragon slayers starting to drift off to sleep… It wasn't a surprise that the three were tired. Only us and Master being the ones awake… Everyone else was asleep on the tables or floors—though I did notice Juvia hiding behind a pillar.
Just as I was about to invite her to join, a lacrima broke through the guild's ceiling and crashed to the floor, rolling toward Master. The sound forced everyone to jump awake, even Natsu tightened his grip around me and growled at the lacrima on the floor.
Master picked it up, and like a big screen, it activated in the middle of the guild where everyone could see a projector of Lisanna in the air. She seemed to be healed, an evil glint to her blue-eyes and a grin upon her face. I tensed, feeling the same fear from before coming back… Laxus, Gajeel, Natsu, and Wendy must've sensed it because they all stood and snarled at the projector.
Laughing, Lisanna's projection leaned forward, "Hello fairies… I'm assuming you've heard already, and that spoiled brat isn't dead… Yet—I am no longer a part of your worthless guild! I've joined somewhere else… I believe you all heard of Zeref and his demons. We all declare war on you! I'll be the one to end Lucy Heartfilia's life, and Natsu will have no choice but to be mine. Nothing you can do to stop it! We'll bring the war in four days, so prepare Fairy Tail because you'll be facing Zeref's creations and his strongest demon to ever live—E.N.D.!"
The lacrima shattered into pieces, ending the recording—It was quiet but the tension in the air was thick, fist clenching at being threatened by their once beloved nakama.
Master's face was stern and dark, "So be it… A war in four days. I don't know how Lisanna got in contact and teamed up with Zeref, the strongest dark wizard to ever walk among Earthland, but what's done is done. I want everyone to get a good night's rest because tomorrow I will call help from other guilds and begin training—WE WILL PREVAIL!"
Makarov left for his office upstairs, troubled as everyone decided to form groups to head home and gather clothes or shower. It was a plan to sleep on the floor and camp out, Mirajane, Levy, and I excused ourselves to clean up in the girl's locker room. When refreshed, the two went to sleep in the darkest corner with Laxus and Gajeel.
Sighing, I picked up a sleepy Happy and gestured towards Natsu as he lifted me up bridal-style and flew to the railings on the ceiling. Leaning upon a pillar, Natsu settled me and Happy between his legs, wrapping his tail around the railing and cocooning with his wings to prevent us from falling—The three of us were in the shadows, so if anyone were to intrude in the guild while everyone was asleep, they wouldn't see us.
Happy practically curled into my arms, purring in content as I buried my face into Natsu's scarf, dozing off. Natsu placed his head on mine, my ears picking up soft snores as I smiled slightly before letting sleep take over.
Tomorrow we start preparing for a war that's about to come—I just hope it doesn't come with sacrifices.
