THIRD PERSON'S POV

Natsu watch the blonde mage on her back - after what happened in early morning - Natsu don't know how to approach her. He's too shy or maybe he's thinking that he might claim her lips once again if they talk. He clench his fist - his so confused about the changes that happening on his body. He feels weird but in the same time feels good. "Lucy-san, are you okay?" he heard Wendy ask the blonde mage.

"I'm fine don't worry. I can see cave one meter away from us - maybe we can check there." Lucy suggested as she pointed the cave not that part of them. "I can sense something on that cave." she whisper enough for Natsu to hear it. They're agree on what Lucy said and starting moving on the cave.

Natsu extended his arm and a bright ball of flame ignited just above his palm. "There," he said. "That should give us some light." Lucy looked further into the cave and saw nothing but darkness. An ominous breeze seemed to flow from the cave, making Lucy shiver.

"It doesn't really help us; the light's radius only extends a few feet ahead of us." Erza said. "Still, if the rumors about this place are true, it's better that we have light. Be prepared for any kind of ambush. Whoever or whatever keeps taking the townspeople probably won't want us messing things up."

Lucy gulped and slid closer to Natsu, gripping the back of his vest. He turned around and flashed her a quick grin. "Don't worry, Luce. I won't let anything happen to you."

Lucy looked up and returned a small smile, feeling the tension slowly leave her body. Right...there isn't a reason to be so freaked out everyone is here with me and Natsu can-

An image of the two figures from her dream flashed through her mind. Lucy's eyes widened in horror as she remembered Natsu's defeat...is limp body sprawled on the floor.

"Hey Lucy, are you okay?" Concern Natsu's face. Lucy snapped back to reality when she heard his voice.

"Y-yeah...I'm fine." She faltered, glancing down uncomfortably.

"Relax." Natsu chuckled. "Like I said, I'll protect you!"

"Sure, if you don't need protection yourself hothead." Grey sneered.

"Shut it snowflake!"

"Enough!" Erza shouted. "We can't afford to waste any more time here. Let's find the missing townspeople. Natsu, light this and we'll use it as a torch. That way you don't use up too much magical power." Natsu placed the ball of flame on the stick Erza was holding out. "Now let's go!" Erza marched ahead.

Lucy's eyes trailed on Natsu's back. Natsu...what if you're the one we can't protect?

*TWO HOURS LATER*

"Where the hell is everyone? We've been walking in circles! It's a damn labyrinth down here!" Natsu shouted.

"Wow." Grey said. "I'm impressed. I didn't know you knew the word 'labyrinth."Lucy and Erza sighed as Natsu glared at Grey, ready to retaliate. To their universal surprise, Natsu just sighed and turned away.

"C'mon. Let's just find these missing people and get out of here. This place is giving me a bad feeling." Lucy said uncomfortable - she keep remembering the image on Natsu's body two years ago, and the pain that she had been through. Erza, Lucy and Grey all glanced at each other, shocked.

"Natsu" Erza began. "What do you mean-?"

She stopped short as a bright light shone as the rounded another corner. "What is this place?" Lucy asked.

Surrounding them was a huge underground coliseum. Old bones and rusted armor littered the floor. A rancid smell filled the air, and the temperature was extremely cold. It was so humid the air seemed to weigh them down.

"What the hell is this?" Grey said. "This isn't like any cold I've ever felt before."

"This smell..." Natsu mumbled.

"Someone's approaching!" Erza hissed. A deep laughter echoed through the coliseum.

"Well done, Titania. I would expect no less from Fairy Tail." A large, humanoid lion emerged from the darkness. "I am the great Lion Knight, Fang. It is very unfortunate that you ran into me Fairy Tail." The lion let loose a hearty laugh. His golden armor clinking as his body shook.

"Where are the townspeople?" Erza asked as she ex-quipped into her fire armor.

"I let them all go. They weren't needed now that you are here!"

"What do you mean? Why did you take them in the first place?"

"To lure you here of course." Fang laughed.

"Well here we are!" Natsu shouted, bright red flames engulfing his fists. "And now we're gonna take you out!" Natsu charged at the lion, fists blazing. The lion laughed as he easily sidestepped Natsu's attack and countered with a bone crushing punch into his stomach. Natsu crashed into the wall behind Lucy.

"Natsu!" she shouted and ran toward him.

"Dammit..." Natsu growled below his breath.

"Relax, Salamander." Fang said. I am not here to fight, at least not yet. I came here with a message."

"Why lead us here, into a bunch of ruins for a stupid message?" Grey asked.

"Because," Fang smirked. "This is a great burial ground for you... but it can be change if you will give me what we need." his smile malicious and his bloodlust can smell and feel the entire place.

"Burial ground?" Erza shouted. Fang look on the blonde mage which sent Lucy shiver "We will never give you what you need - especially if that Lucy."

"Then you will die here Fairies" he laugh "Oh, yes. I don't plan on letting you leave here alive." Fang slammed his fist into the ground and the whole coliseum began to tremble. "My message is this: Give us what we need and the war will never happen but if you didn't followed what we want... then all the people in Magnolia will die burn and punish like hell. Sound very familiar, right Lucy Heartfilia?"

"We will stop you right here now" Natsu roar as he protectedly stood in front of Lucy. The lion once again let out a hearty laugh as he disappeared into the shadows. "Wait!" Natsu tried to give chase but the coliseum's ceiling gave in and the ruins began to collapse on top of them.

"We have to get out of here!" Erza yelled. The group began to run back the way they came, dodging falling rocks and debris but soon the amount of debris was too much and they were buried along with the ancient coliseum.