•••

"What do you think you're doing?"

His low growls caught Lucy's attention and she slowly lifted up her head, flinching a bit with pain.

Her clouded vision from tears and dizziness made it harder to look, but there was no way that she could not identify Natsu even if she was blind.

He stood directly in front of her, his left arm extended to his side, smoke coming off of it.

'He must've taken that hit to save me' Lucy thought as more tears clouded her vision. She felt so pathetic and guilty and weak. She didn't deserve his save. She didn't want him hurt because of her.

"Lushieee!"

Suddenly, a fur ball collided with her, hugging her waist. Happy had buried his head in her stomach and his muffled sniffles were the only thing heard, while Lucy painfully smiled and began stroking his head.

"H-Happy..D-don't cry." She somehow wheezed out, trying to console him.

"B-But it's all my fault! I left you! I thought if I could get Natsu then you'd be safe. But-But-"

"Shh.." she smiled, patting his head. "You d-did what you could. Thank you."

"B-But-"

"Y-You're still the o-one who brought him here, H-Happy. You did save me."

The little blue cat looked up to her with a tear stricken face, surprised at her watery smile. Despite the fact that she was heavily wounded and crying, her smile was still enough to brighten his and Natsu's moods.

Their little heart to heart was cut short when Ignia chuckled, eyeing Natsu. Lucy could only see his back, but she knew that the dragon slayer was giving Ignia a death glare in that moment.

"Oh Natsu!." He greeted, chuckling darkly. "Glad you could make it. Care to join our little party?"

"Oh you bet I do." He growled, still glaring at him.

"Oh?"

It all happened in a flash of a moment. One moment they were both standing about a few feet away from each other but in the next, Natsu was in front of Ignia, ready to strike.

The latter blocked his attack with both his arms, but was sent back from the force of the momentum. He stumbled a bit, but regained his composure, almost immediately having had to block another one of Natsu's attack.

"Do you really think you can take on me?" Ignia asked, amused, still blocking Natsu's attacks.

"Fire Dragon ROAR!"

"You couldn't even destroy Acnologia. What chance do you think do you have against me?"

"Fire Dragon's TALON!"

Lucy couldn't do anything but just watch the fight in awe. Happy was still in her lap, his head buried in her stomach, while she saw the intense confrontation unfold in front of her.

As soon as Ignia had mentioned about Acnologia, Lucy noticed that Natsu visibly tensed, his body becoming rigid and a conflicted expression on his face.

'He got to him.'

They both jumped back, and Natsu stood straight up, still glaring at Ignia.

"Acnologia was wouldn't bother anyone anymore."

"But that doesn't mean he was destroyed."

"It doesn't matter as long as there is no more of his apocalyptic chaos."

"But what is the guarantee that there wouldn't be in the future?"

It was like everything occurred in a slow motion. Natsu's glare turned to a shocked expression, while Ignia charged forward, finally landing a hit on Natsu in his moment of weakness.

The dragon slayer was now pushed back, painfully colliding with a wall. He grunted and slid down, but still attempted to get up.

Meanwhile Ignia walked over with an unexplainable glint in his eyes, enjoying every single moment of this confrontation.

"I mean it's not your fault that you're not strong enough. When I heard about how Igneel's son-"

The venom in his voice when he said that sent chills down Lucy's spine. But one think was clear, there was more to Ignia than what meets the eye.

"-completely destroyed Acnologia, I was so intrigued. I mean, it's not everyday that you hear the Black Dragon was slayed. So, a curious me decided to investigate and meet this son himself. But what do I end up finding?"

He raised his hand, getting ready to attack.

"That the Black Dragon was only managed to be sealed away. That the Fire Dragon Prince wasn't strong enough."

Natsu grunted, the impact obviously being painful.

"And above all that, he disappears without a trace. Only to be with a mere human? How pathetic."

He directed his extended arm from Natsu to Lucy, ready to strike again.

"I'm going to end it all right now."

A bright light shone from his hand and Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, protecting Happy. She waited for an attack but it never came.

"Not if I can help it!"

Natsu punched him in the face, his entire body engulfed in flames.

"Thanks for the refreshment Ignia. Although your fire based blast attacks could use a bit more flavour."

"Oh? So you do have strength after all."

He got up with a grunt, an annoying smirk playing over his face. "Then tell me Natsu, why are you with this weakling?"

Natsu's slight grin vanished, leaving behind a cold hard gaze. "That's because she saved my life. And I'm in her debt."

"Oh?"

"And not just that!" He charged forward again, ready to land another hit. "She is someone I deeply care for. She is my best friend, the one that completes me. So how dare you touch her!"

"Well then I guess it's finally time to put those feelings to a rest." Natsu stopped mid attack, his eyes widening in confusion. He just stared at Ignia, who looked back at him with amusement.

"You were beholden to her, which required you to save her life. And you stayed just so you could so that."

"But as soon as you do, you'd be free. So my dear brother, celebrate your victory!"

"What do you mean?"

Lucy's eyes widened in realisation, finally it all dawning on her. She understood all about his plan now, the pieces finally clicking together.

"You saved her from getting killed by my hands, thus saving her life. Which means, you're coming back with me." He explained with a sly smile.

"But-"

"Didn't you realise it yet? It was all a part of my plan. Hurting her, torturing her, almost killing her to just take you back. Of course, if she would've died that would've worked too."

"You son of a-"

"You have until the next morning. Do what you have to in that time because.."

Tears sprouted from her eyes again, when she realised what was happening. He will be leaving. Forever.

"By the time the first ray of sunshine hits the surface, you'd be gone from here. Forever."

•••

Phew! I finally wrote it! And right in schedule that it ;)

Okay so next is the last chapter (for real). 😂

Also, I'll be publishing a new fan fiction soon titled 'Adrift' it's gonna be NaLu too! Please check it out in the future!

Also vote, comment and share if you like!

Until then,
Belle🌸
🔥❤️🔑