Broken shackles fell to the ground and the ghosts fled. Their shield protecting them from Natsu's wrath had shattered. Too scared to stand up to the man they had held captive. Natsu stood tall, flames leaking from every inch in his angered form. Fists clenched he stomped towards the wicked sorceress.

He'd had been held back while Lucy was being tortured. Made to watch, pathetically, from the side lines. No longer would he sit by, it was finally time for action. Time to kill Savina Morelli.

She seemed to be distracted by the mass of Spirits as they sluggishly inched towards the giant doors. Natsu took full advantage of her ignorance and ambushed.

Natsu flew across the field and collided into her with furious flame. The unforeseen attack made its painful mark as Savina was thrown violently backwards. Her body broke through the surrounding trees, a cry sinking deeper into the wood as she disappeared.

Natsu knew she wouldn't be gone long and ran to his partner.

"Lucy!" He called her name, hoping she would respond.

Even in her pitiful state, her eyes still glistened slightly. She was still with him, but barely. He needed to get to her fast! However her eyes told him to stop, she pointed a shaking finger behind him urgently. Her face full of pain, yet she wanted him to turn back?!

Hesitantly he averted his gaze with her gesture. All nine Zodiac Spirits floated in-front of the large doors, each holding onto the wood and pulling. Their body's strained, but faces remained blank. They had not yet broken from Savina's curse! As they pulled the heavy hatches started to creak, slowly separating. The Gate was about to open.

Making an immediate u-turn he charged at the doors. Even if he went to Lucy's side, it wouldn't solve anything if the Gate was opened. This was his first priority. Keep the Gate closed!

Before the doors could completely detach, he firmly places his hands on each side and pushed. The force was incredible, never would he doubt the power of all nine Zodiac Spirits together. With his strength alone he could not force the doors back into place, but he could slow down the process. But where would that get him? He needed help! He couldn't do this all by himself!

"You insolent beast! How dare you!" Natsu heard Savina approaching back from the forest. Not good. "You think you can stop me?!"

Natsu remained silent, without moving from his position. Still obviously struggling.

"Why are you fighting?" Savina teased.

"What?" Natsu asked, genuinely confused.

"Even you know you cannot close the Gate by yourself." Savina laughed at his predicament.

"That doesn't mean I can just give up!" Natsu's voice noticeably cracked.

Savina took note and pushed further. "Where are those silly friends of yours? That so-called Fairytail no where to be seen."

"They will be here." His confidence drastically fell.

"They will not." Savina drew a blade and sliced his vulnerable back. Wide open to her attacks he resisted the urge to escape the continuous pain.

Suddenly he felt utterly alone. Left here to defend the world and die trying. The Guild had not come to help them. Where had they been all this time? Why had they not come to his aid? Why was he even still fighting if no one cared?

Why was he fighting?

Natsu strength was failing as his thoughts wondered. The doors repelled against him, creeping a open a few inches more. Savina had started carving into his back, engraving something horribly as the blood dripped down the back of his legs.

Why was he fighting?

Small dust clouds gathered at Natsu's feet as his entire body was being pushed backwards by the force, gradually spreading his arms just a bit wider every second. Terrific laughter and maniacal giggles taunted just behind his ears.

Why was he fighting?!

Or corse! How could he be so stupid?! Lucy! He was fighting for Lucy! She had faith in him and he refused to let her down. Not again.

With a deep breath he gathered all his strength, ardent flames burst as he roared. Savina vocalized and detached herself from Natsu's shrapnelized shoulders before she turned into charcoal.

For Lucy!

Using every ounce of magic power he could muster, Natsu placed himself against the large doors. Blasting his flames behind him, he pushed with all his might, attempting to use his body as a human rocket.

For Lucy!

Agonizingly slowly the giant doors retreated, lethargically the Gate was closing. The Gate was closing! The only reason he had this much strength was because of Lucy. She gave him power to overcome his fears. It had always been Lucy that cheered him up when he was down. He finally understood now.

Lucy was his strength.

However the Gate was not entirely closed yet, he still needed to focus and he was running out of energy fast! Burning all his magic at once in one large spurt, maybe not the best battle strategy...whoops.

Natsu was completely focused on maintaining his force against the doors that he had forgot about Savina. The Witch summoned every Spirit and ordered them to remove Natsu.

He watched in horror as dozens of black shadows crept towards him. They latched onto his arms, legs and every inch of him. Not caring that their bodies sizzled and evaporated as they entered his flames. With no consideration for their own well being they pulled.

Natsu attempted to raise his heat even more, however this drastically waisted his energy. He could not keep this up.

Minutes passed as he struggled against the ghosts, desperately trying to shake them off. However, they did not budge. Pulling him away from the Gateway, soon he couldn't reach the wood and his fire diminished. Every ounce of Magic drained from his tired bones.

Collapsing to the dirt, he had zero strength left. Yet he was still mentally determined to stop the mess. He had to keep the Gate closed. For Lucy!

Since his power had been released from the doors, they slowly returned to their normal pace. Creaking open, inching its way closer to reveal whatever was inside.

He dug his fingers into the ground and willed himself forward. Crawling his way back to the opening. Natsu begged his limbs to cooperate, cursing himself for not having the might to stand.

As he dragged himself, a force pushed him back down. The feeling of a spike dug into his already torn back. Coughing, he turned his head.

"You are foolish." Savina stamped her pointed heal deeper into his flesh. "Thinking you could stop me."

"Cant stop...for Lucy..." Four words repeated endlessly in his mind. Yet his physical being could not keep up.

"Pathetic." Savina slammed her foot into Natsu's side, flipping him over onto his back.

"...Lucy..." Panting heavily, he attempted to sit up.

"Stop being such a nuisance." She demanded. Yet Natsu did not stop, ignoring his vast injuries. Pressing forward as blood dripped off him as a shower. "I think its time you know the truth."

Natsu halted upon bearing the strange words, undeniably curious.

"Your girlfriend is keeping a great secret from you and its time you were enlightened."

Its true Natsu was desperate to know what took place in Lucy's missing moments. But this was not the place nor the time. He wanted Lucy to tell him herself. It was her story to share when she was ready, not to be spoiled by a stranger.

He protested and continued towards the half open doors.

"Oh honey-bear." Savina giggled. "You don't have a choice."

Without any hesitation, Savina quickly looped her fingers in a circle. Casting the familiar spell, she chanted. "Looking Glass: Soul Connection!"

Just as before a large hieroglyph emerged and advanced. However, alternatively, the symbol split and duplicated itself. The first symbol flew across the field and disappeared out of sight. However the second drew closer to Natsu.

He hadn't the power to resist or dodge the oncoming curse. Whatever he thought was coming, it was going to be much worse.

The glowing symbol branded itself onto his left eye. The pain was incredible, he felt as if his entire face was melting off. He gripped his head and cried out. Thrashing around he did anything to stop the burning.

Suddenly he was abruptly sucked down into his mind. Falling into his sub-conscious, everything turned white.