Song: Pain
By: Lucas King

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Natsu

"Happy, you still awake?" The chains felt like anvils on my wrists. I haven't stood on my feet in ages, and my magic was being taken everyday by those thieves. That stupid job was a trap, and I fell for it. Thirty against me and Happy, and we lost. "A-Aye..." he whispered with a crack voice.

How long has it been? It's felt like years since I've seen daylight, since I haven't seen my Lucy. Has she finally given birth, was our baby a girl? Or a boy? "Nat-zu, we need to get out of here..." Happy cried making his chains rattle. We were so close with my last plan, but because of the stupid bucket it made a noise of catastrophe that ended me getting whipped by a stick with thorns. I have a plan, but if one tiny mistake happens, I may not make it through tomorrow with the beatings they plan for me.

"Happy, play along." I ordered, inhaling the humid air into my lungs. I slammed my head into the hard, stone floor, and roared an agony cry. I thrashed around starting to tangle myself in the chains, the chain around my neck caught itself, which began to choke me, but I didn't falter. I kept screaming my life out. A sudden burst of a door opening echoed in the prison room. Footsteps, two people from what I can tell, ran in front of my cell door. "What in the hell is going on!?"

"He's hearing voices! Natsu's trying to kill himself because of the mad words being whispered into his ears!" Happy yelled, also thrashing because of my outburst. "Make...them..STOP!" I played along from Happy's excuse, continuing to tangle myself in the chains, the grip around my neck made my eyes feel like they were about to pop out. The door to my cell opened with the two following guards muttering curse words. "Damn it! The boss doesn't want to lose the Dragon Mage! Let's just untangle him and knock him out for a couple hours."

"If you knock him out, he'll only become a mad man when he wakes up! Trust me I've listened to him hours howling to the ceiling." My Exceed warned hoping to convince the two as they untangle me. The one closest to my neck cursed. "He got himself really tangle, we have to unchain him." The second man grunted. "I don't think that's a good idea-"

I screamed into one of the guard's faces, not caring if my head was about to explode from the amount of air I haven't breathed in. I was growing dizzy, but I heard a frustrated sigh. "He's gone mad! Just unchain him before he kills himself!" A moment later I heard the sound of a click. It started at my wrists, then moved up to my neck. Though my ankles were still obtained, I finally had an advantage. "Come on let's quickly get this over with." One of them said as they now easily pulled off the chains that were choking my muscles. I lied there without a movement, not even realizing I was holding my breath. The rattle of the chain that was attached to my neck became settled. "Okay, now hook it back-"

I smashed my forehead against the first guard. My arms picked me up when I used the chain to wrap it around the second man's neck tightly. The first one was still on the ground, holding his head from where I hit him. "Stay down or else I choke you." I muttered into his ear pulling on the chain tighter. Just as the guard on the floor was about to pick himself up, I gave him a hard kick into his face; putting an end to him for a couple hours. "Your friend will be out for some time. Now, if you don't want to end up like him then give me the keys!"

"This is your plan Natsu!?" Happy yelled from his cell. "I'm kinda doing this as I go along!" I replied holding the chains with one hand as I searched his belt for the keys with my other hand. I felt the small key and snatched it away. The locket was still on one of the chains when I put the chain around the man's neck on him like a collar. I put the key into my mouth, holding it tightly with my lips when I sealed the guard's neck with the metal collar, and locked it with locket. "Try screaming for help, I dare you." I pushed the second guard away as he struggled to even let out a word.

Quickly using the key for my ankles to be free, I closed the door of my cell to make sure the guards couldn't escape. "Where are you Happy?" I whispered loudly. "I'm here..." I walked stealthy two cells down. Happy was chained like me, only without a neck to make sure he didn't thrash around like I did the first time we were locked up.

A minute later I had Happy in my left arm, while the key in my right. It was dark in the prison floor, but I've been here for so long my eyes adjusted to the darkness. It was cold for it to be humid, and I didn't have my muffler with me. I didn't have my supplies that had a picture of my nakamas, and the picture of me and Lucy who was holding Happy in her arms. "Don't hit the bucket Natsu."

"Thanks for the info Happy." I said back in a snarky way, being very slow to make sure I didn't hit anything. I felt the large wooden door that was the exit, and very diligently opened it. The door led us to stairs that had torches lighting the way; my stomach began to growl. "Finally, snack time."
No dumb porridge that was ice cold, or water that tasted like dirt. Fire, my favorite snack. I grabbed one of the torches with my right hand, after putting the key into my pocket, and took a big bite of the fire.

It tasted like nothing I have ever tasted. Or maybe I have, how long has it been since I actually ate something that I like? Every torch that held the tastiest fire I would devour it until the stairway became dark. Already, my magic came back to me, and I was ready to fight my way out of here. "Happy, can you hold onto my back?"

"Maybe?" I put Happy behind my back when I felt his tiny paws clinging like a kitty. I stared at my fists, feeling the spark of my magic coming back to life. Fire erupted in my hands, and from the amount of brightness close to my eyes I had to squint. My magic felt different, it felt stronger even though who knows how long I haven't used it. A toothy grin appeared on my face.

"Now, I'm all fired up..."

~•~•~•~

I never fought a battle so fast before. My magic brought a flame I couldn't control, and everything in my sight burned into ashes. The fire around me grew larger when I ran out of the entrance of their lair, landing on my stomach before the building collapsed from the amount of damage I caused. I turned back seeing now it was a dark cult of some sorts; whatever they were, they would no longer cease to exist. The dark guild will no longer hurt anyone ever again.

I let my face fall back on the ground, forgetting what grass felt like on my skin. My fingers skidded through the locks of grass, ripping it out of the soil and inhaling what nature smelled like. I put Haply beside me so he could experience the same thing.
"Did we...make it?" He whispered not even knowing how tired he was. I couldn't believe how exhausted I was to the point I couldn't reply back. I just nodded and fell asleep in the grass, and to the dark guild that wasn't finished burning down behind us.

.
.
.
.

"Nat-zu." My eyes snapped open. I searched the surrounding still thinking I was back in the prison cell, but instead saw trees that were green, a sun shining down on us, the soot of what was left of the dark guild hall. I had to cover my eyes because of how bright it was, my attention turned to Happy who was also taking cover for his eyes. "It's morning...it's actually morning."

"...Yeah." I couldn't believe it either. We made it out, we survived. "Happy, do you think you can fly." Happy shook his head. "No, my magic still hasn't returned to me, they really drained from me Natsu." I nodded in understanding. "Well, let's start walking, hopefully we'll find help." I picked Happy up in both arms, and painfully stood on my two feet. I took a few steps before falling on my knees, quickly catching myself with my hand. "How did I do this last night?"

"Natsu you had adrenaline, and you ate some fire to regain the magic you lost." Happy spoke wishing he could help, and yet it looked like he was going back to sleep. I used a tree to stand myself back up. "Well, I better get used to walking again. Let's get some help buddy."

"Aye...sir."

It was countless hours as we trudged ourselves to a town we couldn't find. The sun burned our skins red, and I was dying for clean water to restore my swollen tongue. I faltered behind Happy, who woke up thirty minutes ago, when I fell to my knees again. My Exceed turned back; his eyes widened from my sudden fall. "Nat-zu!" Happy put his paws on one of my knee, shaking to push me back up. "I-I'm fine Happy. We just need to get help." Happy looked away, thinking for a moment to himself. He walked back a few steps, them summoned his wings. "Happy?"

Happy flew only a few feet, just enough to see over the tall trees that were around us. The blue Exceed took a three-sixty degree turn, then fell back down to the dirt road. I caught him with ease when Happy began to cough horribly. "Happy! Are you alright?"

"Aye. I'll be fine, but I saw a town. If we keep walking then we should get there in an hour. We just...have to keep moving." I shook my head when I laid him over my left shoulder. "Rest, Happy. I'll walk from here on out." I patted his head, already knowing my answer was final. I moved slow, but concentrated to make sure I never faltered my steps. My imagination began to show my family.

Gray, you ice prick, you better have gotten with Juvia. Hopefully you'll be married by the time I get back.

Metal Head and Levy, weren't they having twins when I left? I wonder how old the twins are now. Do they look alike, have their magic come in yet?

Is Erza still eating cake by herself, or has Jellal finally made her his fiancée? By Mavis, Erza needs a man in her life so she'll lighten up!

And Lucy, my Luce. I can see the sun hitting her face just right. Her skin glows like a million stars, but her eyes are the sun itself. Her plump, gorgeous lips that are just begging to be kissed by mine. Is her hair longer now? If our baby was a boy, is his name Igneel? I remember talking names with Lucy. Nashi being a girl, or Igneel if the baby was a boy. What does the baby even look like? My eyes and Lucy's hair? Or my hair and her eyes? Is Lucy still waiting for me...

Does everyone think me and Happy are gone?

I noticed the dirt road was now stone. I glanced from my feet, about to cry tears of joy when I see a town in front of us. Ahead of me, maybe five yards away, was a fountain that made a waterfall of glistening water fall from the smoothed stone. I ran headfirst about to dive into the cool water. My hands splashed around it, soon becoming a cup to hold water. I picked my cupped hand that held water, and like a wild animal drank the cold water until it made my teeth shiver. I did the same thing a second time when Happy finally woke up.

"Water!" Happy actually jumped into the fountain and started to swim in it. I drank again then putting some water on my face. There was dry blood, but I didn't give a damn what I looked like. I was thirsty and about to pass out from my body not recognizing what actual water was. A gentle hand placed itself on my shoulder and on instinct I took ahold of the wrist and slammed it down on the stone railing. A loud cry echoed in my ear when I saw it was a woman holding a basket. "S-Sir! Please don't hurt me! I-I was just w-worried you needed help..." The kind lady dropped her basket of goods and fell on her knees. I grew guilty and picked her back up to her feet.

"I'm sorry miss. I didn't mean to hurt or frightened you. It's just, my partner and I were wasting away from lack of water." I bowed respectfully in front of the miss, hoping she would understand what I meant. "What has happened to you sir, if I may ask. It looks like you fought a war by yourself and barely walked out alive..." Happy jumped out and sat down next to me. He didn't dry himself, instead just sat with the droplets of water dripping off his fur. "We were taken away when we were on a mission Miss! A dark guild ambushed us and we were prisoners to them for who knows how long!" I nodded as Happy explained. The woman hid her mouth. "I'm so sorry no one ever came to save you. The last time we saw that dark cult come near our town was almost a year ago."

"A year!?" I shouted when I felt my stomach turning inside out. My heart dropped to my feet, and I was close to throwing up the water I just drank. The woman nodded once. "Yes, but since our small town is in the middle of nowhere, no wizard wishes to come aid us. But, since last year we thought someone took care of them. That's how long we haven't since the cult."

"Oh Mavis...Ma'm where are we?" I whispered begging the Gods we weren't far away from Magnolia. "That depends, where do you live?" I explained to the woman we were from a guild named Fairy Tail in Magnolia, Fiore. Her eyes dilated from my reply. "You're...from Magnolia?"

"Aye!" Happy barked jumping back in the fountain. The Miss rubbed her neck. "That's...that's almost a two week journey from here. We don't have trains you see. If you were to walk all the way there it could take up to two weeks or a month."

No way...I needed to sit down. I fell on the railing, my head falling into my hands. It could be a month until I see my family. No, no this can't be... "There's no other way?" Happy questioned with a sorrow voice. "Well, three towns over they have a train station. Not all the way to Magnolia. You stop to Winterspring for a few hours. Then, you get off at Evergreen Gardens and stay there for one night. After that, you should stop at Magnolia from there. With all that added up, and if there's no delay of course, then that should take up to five or six days in total."

I picked my head back up. "Are you serious! Which way is the town?" She pointed North. "That way, the town is called LilyStone. If you start going now then you should get there by dusk." I hugged the lady tightly from hearing wonderful news. "You're the best Miss! Come on Happy let's get going!" Happy popped out of the fountain already by my side. "Aye sir!"

"Wait!" The woman said before we left. She came up to me showing her basket of goods. "You need this more than I do. I hope you find your family sir. And if you need water then just stop by another fountain!" The woman giggled when she handed her basket to me. I once again bowed to her in respect. "Thank you so much." The woman laughed heartily from my manners. "Be safe good sir!"

It was long before Happy and I were back on the road. In the basket was two loafs of bread, dried ham, three apples, and seeds. I took an apple and bit into the sweetness of it. My stomach growled for more food, but I gave Happy the rest of the apple I was still eating. He finished the apple less than a minute.

"I can't wait to see Lucy's face! She's gonna give you a Lucy Kick as my human nephew laughs from watching his dad get beat up from a girl!" Happy snickered to himself as I only rolled my eyes. "We got a long way to get home buddy, and it'll be worth every step to make it home. Also, you don't know if my child is a boy." Happy smiled like a cat, of course. "Aye sir! And I just have a cat sense telling me he's a boy. Trust me I think I know what I'm talking about." I put him back on my shoulder to sit on. Happy continually talked to me thinking I was listening. "So, when do you think I'm gonna have a nice, juicy fish to feed on?!"

"Real soon, Happy." I replied, seeing Lucy again with her pure, beautiful smile showing. "Real soon..."

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So Natsu isn't dead! Part Three? Tell me if I should or not! By the way, I'll be updating my chapter for my series tomorrow! I've been a bad Author-chan but I've been getting sick even more recently. It's a-okay Lovelies! I'm back on track! As always my Lovelies... love you all!❤️