I don't usually post 3 chapters at once, but this one is special to me. There's a scene in this chapter that I saw in my head and inspired the whole thing and starts the big conflict. So I just had to post up to this chapter. Thanks for the comments and follows! Enjoy!
Chapter Seven
The next day the sun was brightly shining and a light breeze blew through the town of Magnolia. The guild was lively at this time of day with most of the mages who weren't on jobs gathering at various tables eating and drinking. Erza was sitting with Gray, Juvia, Gajeel and Levy enjoying a much-needed break after returning that morning from a job. Mira was at the bar flirting back at Laxus who hadn't left his stool all day while her sister Lisanna was sitting with their brother Elfman. The rest of the Thunder Legion were at the job board trying to decide between a few of the requests listed. Suddenly, the joy and calm was broken by a crashing sound that was muffled like it was far off.
"What was that?" Romeo asked. He was sitting next to Wendy and Carla at a table with his dad Macao, Wakaba and Cana.
No one moved as they waited for whatever else might happen. Suddenly, the doors to the guild burst open and the last person they all expected came through. Loke stumbled through the door and landed on all fours just inside the doorway as he was clearly losing magic power rapidly.
"Loke!" Erza rushed over to the celestial spirit along with the rest of the guild who created a circle around the leader of the Zodiac. "Are you alright? Where's Lucy?"
"We were on the train coming back from following a lead on Aquarius' key," He wheezed out and shut his eyes tightly as what was clearly a wave of pain rushed through him. "There was an explosion in a few of the cars around ours. It derailed the whole train."
"Oh god," Levy whispered looking up at a concerned Gajeel.
"I'm almost out of magic power. I'm here on my own not with Lucy's magic so I can't stay much longer. She's unconscious, but was alive when I left her," Loke looked up at the group of his former guild mates as he pleaded with them. "Please go find her and Natsu. Happy is there now trying to find them. I'm sorry I can't…"
With that, the celestial spirit disappeared as his gate was closed and he returned to the spirit world. Erza jumped into action as soon as he disappeared and pointed to Gajeel, Gray, Elfman and Laxus.
"You four come with me," She switched to her Giant Armor to increase her strength. She'd clearly chosen Gajeel for his nose, Elfman and Laxus for their muscles and Gray because he wouldn't have stayed behind anyway. "Wendy, we'll need you too."
The blue-haired teenager nodded as her Exceed Carla grabbed onto her jacket with her wings popping on her back. Gray grabbed Juvia's hand in his and pulled her forward next to him.
"Juvia should come too in case any fires need to be put out," He said as Juvia nodded her ascent.
"Good idea. Be prepared everyone. We'll likely have many injured, not just Natsu and Lucy," Erza looked to Mest the guilds' teleportation mage. "Mest, will you please go get Porlyusica? We'll need her help as well as quickly as possible."
Mest nodded and headed out. The others started for the train station as the smoke from the explosions rose over Magnolia. The rest of the guild began preparations in the guild hall to accept all the incoming wounded.
…..
Lucy woke in unfamiliar arms. Her entire body ached and she struggled to remember what had happened or even where she was. She fully opened her eyes and looked up in confusion.
"Elfman?" She mumbled sluggishly to the brute of a man who was carrying her down the streets of Magnolia. "What happened?"
"Lucy!" Wendy, who'd been walking ahead of them, exclaimed and stopped in her tracks.
"There was an attack on the train you were on," Elfman intentionally didn't mention Natsu as they hadn't found the Dragon Slayer yet. Wendy had asked that he keep that to himself until they were able to find him.
"We're taking you back to the guild to heal you. There's some cuts and your ankle is broken," Wendy said pointing to the guild doors. "We're almost there."
"Natsu," Lucy whispered. "Where's Natsu?"
Wendy and Elfman glanced at each other. Wendy smiled at her friend as the lie poured from her lips easier than she was comfortable with. "I'm sure he's on his way soon."
They opened the guild doors and Levy immediately jumped from her chair and ran, as quickly as she could, to them.
"Lucy! Are you alright?" She wiped a tear that had run down her cheek at seeing her friend back safely.
"I'm fine Levy. I want to go look for Natsu. Let me down Elfman," Lucy started to struggle in the takeover mage's arms, but he held tightly to her.
"I need to heal you Lucy and even then you should stay here," Wendy sternly said, trying to do her best Erza impression. "Gajeel is out there and with his Dragon Slayer nose they'll find Natsu in no time. I can only heal you so much so I don't run out of magic power for the other victims."
At that, Lucy stopped her struggle feeling justly reprimanded by the little Dragon Slayer. Elfman helped her sit on a chair at a table by the bar in the back. He took the glass of water that Mira was holding out to him from the bar and placed it in Lucy's hand. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and smiled softly.
"I'm heading back out to help, but don't worry. We'll find him," Elfman's smile didn't fully reach his eyes as the trauma of the attack and crash was clearly taking a toll. As he started for the door, a small hand gripped his large arm to stop him from going further.
"We'll come with you," His girlfriend Evergreen smiled up at him. She glanced over her shoulder where Bickslow and Fried were standing and nodding in agreement. "We may not be strong and muscular, but we can certainly help in other ways."
"There you go Lucy," Wendy stood and stepped back. "Your ankle should be fully healed although it'll be sore for a bit. I closed all your wounds to stop the bleeding, but you'll need to let Porlyusica bandage them so they don't get infected. I'll need to stop there for now. I'm sorry."
"Please don't be Wendy," Lucy smiled at the young girl. "I'm the one who's sorry. Be careful out there."
Wendy nodded and followed Elfman and the rest of the Thunder Legion out the door. Levy sat down next to her while Mira, Lisanna and Cana all surrounded her in silent support. Master Makarov wheeled himself in front of the Celestial Mage and gently took her hands.
"Natsu is stubborn my dear," He smiled. "He'll be fine."
Back at the crash site, everything was in chaos. The entire train had been derailed while three of the cars had turned to rubble in the explosion. Erza and Laxus were helping move rubble to find survivors while Gajeel was wandering the area around where Lucy had been found to try and find Natsu. Gray and Juvia were both at separate ends of the train putting out fires with their magic. Elfman, Wendy, and the Thunder Legion members regrouped with Laxus and Erza upon arrival.
"Has he had any luck?" Elfman nodded towards Gajeel who was pulling away some rubble to stick his nose down in the hole he created.
Erza shook her head. "There's a lot of people around right now in a small space so he's had some trouble pinpointing just the one scent."
"He won't go home until he finds him though," Laxus said.
Gajeel suddenly jumped out of the way as a column of fire shot up from the hole he'd been looking in. When it stopped, he ventured back to the hole and looked down in.
"Salamander! Hey guys I found him," He shouted to his guildmates. They all rushed over including Gray and Juvia who'd finished putting out the fires they were working on.
"Gajeel! I'm going to lift a little kid up to you ok?" Natsu's voice carried from the hole. Gajeel laid on his stomach and reached down into the hole. A small boy with dark brown hair and big brown eyes reached up and took his outstretched hands. Gajeel easily lifted the boy out and passed him to Evergreen's waiting arms.
"Let's get you away from this train sweetie," She carefully backed away from the train as a woman with long thick hair in a braid cried out and ran to them. Evergreen led the reunited mother and son to where Wendy had set up to heal the little boy.
"Thank you so much," The woman threw her arms around Evergreen who just shook her head.
When she turned to head back, Gajeel had his hand down into the hole and was shouting at Natsu. Shaking her head, she chuckled.
"If they're arguing he must be fine," She said to the rest of her team.
A hand wrapped around Gajeel's wrist and the Iron Dragon Slayer pulled Natsu from the hole. He had large gashes across his body, but otherwise seemed ok.
"Thanks man," Natsu leaned back against the rubble behind him and closed his eyes.
"How are you not more injured?" Erza asked.
"I'll explain when we get back to the guild," He replied as he placed a hand against his head.
"Natsu!" Wendy exclaimed as she ran over to him. "Let me heal you then you should get back to the guild. Lucy's worried."
"Lucy!" Natsu gripped her upper arms. "She's alright? She's not hurt?"
Wendy nodded. The others went to go help while Wendy healed him. Erza wanted to regroup back at the guild and get some answers. Together the Fairy Tail members found as many people as possible. While they did so, Wendy healed Natsu and anyone else brought to her. She was quickly running low on magic power and would need to rest soon.
"NATSU!" Happy flew straight down and crashed into his friend upon realizing he'd been found.
"Hey buddy. I'm glad you're safe," Natsu carefully stood just in time to catch a wobbling Wendy. "Let's get you back to the guild. Where's Carla?"
The white Exceed showed up at that moment and gripped the healer. Erza and the others joined them in a huddle.
"Let's head back to the guild for now," She said looking around at the wreckage. They'd been at it for hours and they were all exhausted. "We've done all we can. We need to regroup and let Wendy rest."
"I'm not smelling anyone in the cars," Gajeel said gesturing to the train station platform where small groups of people were gathered. "They're all out here."
"Me too," Natsu agreed. "I need to get back to the guild and to Lucy."
Those who could, helped carry citizens who needed healing to take them back to Porlyusica at the guild hall. Natsu rushed ahead needing to get back to Lucy. They'd said she was fine but he needed to see her for himself.
Back at the guild Lucy was impatiently waiting as were the rest of the guild members who'd stayed behind. They'd been gone for hours and she was starting to lose patience. She was glad Wendy convinced her to stay behind though. The bleeding may have stopped and her cuts dressed and bandaged now, but she was definitely in pain. She wouldn't have been much help. Where were they? What if they couldn't find him? They'd finally taken that next step and it was better than she ever could have imagined. How would she survive if he was truly gone? Levy reached out and gripped her friends' hands that she'd unknowingly been wringing together.
"It'll be fine," Levy tried reassuring Lucy.
Just as she was about to retort, the guild doors began to open. The rest of the guild started piling in, but Lucy only had eyes for one. His eyes immediately found her as soon as the doors had opened most likely due to his Dragon Slayer nose. They both started running at the same time and met in the middle of the guild hall. Natsu wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her from the ground, burying his face in her neck to breathe in her scent. Lucy wrapped her arms around his shoulders and clung tightly, never wanting to let go. Their guild mates could do nothing but smile as did the Magnolia residents who were waiting for Porlyusica. Many of them had lived in the town long enough to see the two and come to certain conclusions about their relationship. Natsu gently set her down on her feet and cupped her face with his hands while hers wrapped around his waist tightly.
"I was so scared Natsu," She whispered so only he could hear the fear wavering in her voice.
"I told you Luce," He gently pressed his forehead to hers. "I'll always come back to you."
Natsu pressed a kiss to her waiting lips not caring that the entire guild was staring at them intently. She didn't even seem to care either as she eagerly kissed him back.
She pulled back and finally smiled for the first time in hours. "Please don't ever scare me like that again."
"I won't I promise," He smiled and pressed a kiss to her temple.
"I hate to intrude, but we need to get some answers," Erza asked. Natsu nodded as his arm circled Lucy's waist. They made their way to the stage towards the back of the guild hall and both hopped up to sit on the edge. "I want to know how you're hardly injured Natsu."
"And come to think of it, why didn't Horologium come save you guys Lucy?" Gray added. "We've seen him come plenty of times in situations like this."
"It's cause he saved me," Natsu replied, causing many of the guild members to gasp in shock. "That's why me and that kid were barely hurt."
"What?" Lucy asked in confusion.
"He told me he'd come back to explain when he'd had a chance to recover a bit. He stayed for a while with us until all the rubble stopped falling," Natsu appeared apologetic.
"And explain I shall," Horologium's voice sounded behind them as the clock spirit appeared on the stage behind Natsu and Lucy. "Lady Lucy, I am so sorry. I sensed danger and when I arrived my analysis led me to believe Natsu and the young boy were in more danger of perishing than you. Leo agreed and directed me to them while he saved you and Happy. Please accept my sincerest apologies."
The spirit looked extremely distressed at what had happened and all Lucy could do was smile. She found it comforting how the clock spirit's ever blank face could display such overwhelming emotion. How could she even think to be upset with such an honest and caring friend; especially after he had saved her so many times before and now saved Natsu? She stood and grabbed the clock spirit's hands in hers. "No apologies necessary Horologium. Thank you for saving them! I'm not sure what I'd do without Natsu and I'm sure that boy's mother feels the same."
"Thanks clockman," Natsu held his hand out to the spirit and shook it.
"How's Loke doing Horologium?" Gray asked.
"He's doing much better, sir. Not fully healed enough to return, but should be just fine. I shall take my leave now Lady Lucy. Please stay safe," He replied and disappeared.
"What happened to Loke?" Lucy sat back down and glanced at Gray in confusion. Her ankle was starting to throb again. She'd need to take it easy for a bit.
"He's the one who came to alert us to what happened," Erza replied. She smiled at the pair who'd sat down close together, hands clasped, like it was something they'd always done.
"If he hadn't gotten here as quickly as he did, we'd have dead citizens instead of injured ones. Some of the people I healed today wouldn't have survived much longer if I'd gotten to them any later," Wendy chimed in. The young healer was leaning against Romeo in exhaustion with her head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her back. Lucy smiled as she realized Levy had been right after all about those two.
"Wow I had no idea," Lucy said.
"He said he was here on his own power and didn't have much strength left. He did appear injured so it makes sense I suppose," Erza replied.
"What happened though?" Laxus chimed in. "Was this directed at you guys or was it a freak accident?"
"Did you find Aquarius' key Lu? Maybe someone wanted it for themselves?" Levy suggested. She was sitting in a chair with Gajeel's hands on her shoulders to keep her there.
"No, the lead didn't pan out, but it's one less place to cross off the list I suppose," Lucy smiled sadly at her friend. "I would doubt it had anything to do with her key though. There aren't many celestial wizards left and they all know how important she was to me. If they'd found it, I know they'd have brought it to me. Plus, the only people who know her key is broken are you all and Yukino. Sting as well since they're together, but I doubt they'd say anything to anyone about it for it to get out there that it's available. The golden keys are valuable, but most people don't know about her key."
"It did have something to do with us, Luce," Natsu said. "Right before the explosion I heard a voice identify which compartment we were in. I didn't recognize their scent though so I'm not sure why."
Lucy stared up at him in shock, trying not to let the fear show. They'd finally moved past all the danger and were building a future together. She'd finally found the kind of love she'd lost when her mother died and now someone was trying to kill them again? And if Natsu didn't recognize the scent of the person responsible who knew what it was about? Lucy deflated at the thought of being the target of another attack. Couldn't they just get some peace for once?
Master Makarov must have sensed Lucy's distress because he rolled his wheelchair close and smiled up at her. "Don't worry my dear. We'll deal with this threat the same as we always have. Together."
"Why is it always me, us?" Lucy buried her face in her hands and felt Natsu's hand rub across her back.
Natsu glanced out at their guildmates with pleading eyes. Gray understood the request in his friends' eyes and stood with Juvia's hand wrapped in his. "I think we should let you both rest for now. We'll get answers later."
"Do you think it's safe at your house Natsu? Maybe you guys shouldn't go back there alone," Mira asked. She had her arms wrapped around herself and had clearly been crying as her eyes were red. She'd spent the day at the guild helping with every injured Magnolian who'd come in from the crash and it had clearly taken a toll. Laxus, who'd been standing next to her, reached up and rubbed her back before pulling her close to his side. Lucy smiled and made a mental note to ask Mira about it later. She didn't think anything past flirting had happened, but maybe things had changed in the days they'd been gone.
"I don't think so," Laxus kept his arm around Mira. The crash had made him realize a few things like how silly just flirting with her had been. "Maybe you could stay here in the infirmary."
"Probably not," Wendy piped up. She seemed a bit better, but was still leaning her head against Romeo's shoulder and his hand was still firmly resting against her back. "Porlyusica's using all the beds right now. Why don't you guys just come to Fairy Hills and use Juvia's old room?"
"It's still empty since she moved out so that could work," Erza said. "Technically Natsu wouldn't be allowed, but I think under these circumstances we should make an exception. All of us will be there just in case."
"But what if something like what happened on the train happens?" Lucy shook her head. "No, I can't do that. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if they blew up Fairy Hills and hurt someone else. This is bad enough."
Lucy gestured to all the citizens who were waiting for Porlyusica to help them. Some had gauze pressed against wounds waiting for healing and some just looked scared. No, staying at Fairy Hills and risking this happening to her guildmates was out of the question.
"Don't worry guys. We'll protect them," A familiar voice said from behind Natsu and Lucy.
Lucy whipped her head around in relief at hearing Loke's voice. He and Virgo stood behind them on the stage both smiling back at them. Lucy stood and threw her arms around him and squeezed tightly.
"Loke! Thank you for saving me and all these people," Lucy was so relieved. She'd been afraid for him after what the guild had said about him when he'd made it back here.
"That's my job Lucy," He smiled and accepted the slightly hard smack to his back from Natsu.
Lucy smiled at the obvious gesture from her boyfriend. Loke and Natsu had always been friendly, but now that things had changed she'd have to have a talk with her spirit. Virgo stepped up next to Loke and gripped Lucy's hand.
"We'll all make sure you and Natsu are safe at home Princess," The spirit smiled at her. "That's where you want to be right?"
Lucy smiled at the spirit who'd become her friend and nodded. "Thanks Virgo."
"We'll be close too if you need anything," Gray said with a glance at Juvia who smiled and nodded.
"Thanks guys," Lucy said while fighting back tears. She was relieved knowing they'd be going home.
They said their goodbyes and Lucy hugged Levy tightly once more then headed out with Natsu and Happy. Virgo followed closely while Loke sent Aries ahead to their house to make sure no one was there and to check for any bombs or other traps.
"Won't all your spirits being out here drain your magic Lucy?" Happy asked from his perch on her back as they walked home.
"We're all coming through on our own power right now," Virgo answered. "That's why Loke sent Aries ahead instead of going himself so he could regain the rest of his strength to stay as long as you need Princess."
Lucy felt a tear fall down her cheek at the thought of her spirits doing something like that for her. She didn't think she could love them any more than she already did, but again in this moment she was wrong. After the day she'd had her emotions were swirling around inside and she was close to losing it. Natsu tightened his hold on her hand as he sensed her emotions whirling out of control. He didn't need to be a dragon slayer with dragon slaying senses to know that. When they arrived home he thanked both Virgo and Aries and asked that they keep watch outside. Both spirits were also realizing that their keyholder needed some time to process what had happened and readily agreed. Happy gave Lucy a hug, told her he loved her and would be in his room if she needed anything. He did the same with Natsu then gently shut the door.
Lucy dropped her bag on their bed and turned into Natsu's arms as they wrapped around her. She laid her head on his chest and felt his fingers wrap through her hair. Natsu pressed a kiss to her temple as he held onto her.
"I know what you need Luce," Natsu pulled back enough to look in her eyes. "How about I fill the bathtub and you can use those new salts you got."
"Only if you get in with me," She replied.
Natsu led her to the bathroom with his hand wrapped in hers. He lifted her to sit on the bathroom counter and turned to start the tub. When the water was warm enough he put the plug in and poured some of the bath salts in. As it filled, he turned back to Lucy and unzipped her boots and pulled them down followed by lifting her shirt over her head and removing her bra. She slid off the counter and let him take her skirt and underwear off next. Natsu removed his clothes next and helped her into the bath. He sat back against the tub and pulled her to rest against his chest. Her head came back to rest on his shoulder and she sighed as she felt the water and his hands wrap around her.
"I hate this Natsu," Lucy whispered. "Things were finally normal again. No one was after us. Why are we always the ones people are after?"
"I know baby," He whispered back. He tightened his arms around her to reassure himself she really was physically ok. What happened today had scared the shit out of him no matter how nonchalant he'd tried to appear. They always came out of these situations just fine, but the toll they took along the way was real and now that they were together the fear was even greater. He loved her more than anything and the thought of her being hurt or getting killed made his heart stop. "We'll figure this out and we will be ok."
"How? You didn't recognize the scent of the people who did this. How are we supposed to figure out who's trying to hurt us this time?"
Lucy knew her desperation was clearly visible, but at the moment she was too tired and scared to care. She knew she could be vulnerable with Natsu and he'd be there for her no matter what. Natsu tightened his arms around her waist and placed his forehead against her temple.
"I'm not sure Luce, but what I do know is that we'll deal with it together," He pulled back from her so he could look her in the eyes. "I'm scared too. Today scared the hell out of me. Being stuck inside Horologium without you and not knowing what happened to you and Happy was hell. But what I do know is what I promised you already. I'll always fight for you and us. We'll figure this out together like we always do."
"Oh Natsu," The fear she felt was still there, but he gave her courage as he always did.
He smiled down at her and cupped her jaw. "You fired up now?"
"Yea," She smiled back and reached up to kiss him.