Finished - June 4, 2020

Word Count - 972

Music - Eurielle - City of the Dead

Summary:
Continuation of "None Left To Stop Him", an alternate version of Fairytail Chapter 520. In this part, Natsu wakes up from his coma and see's Lucy alive? How will he react after he had just seen her assuringly dead?

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"Now go forth once more, on your own two feet." The mighty fire dragon began to evaporate as light filled Natsu's vision. For that was all he had seen, a vision. He knew that he had been stuck in his own head, dreaming conversations with his new-found brother and lost father. In fact he had conversations with many of his close friends, everyone except the person he truly wanted to see.

Igneel's words echoed through Natsu's mind as he felt himself drift back into his body. A heaviness took over and he was suddenly aware of how tired he felt. All the new information suddenly rushed to the front of his mind. He had so much to tell and precious information he needed to share!

Natsu's body lurched forward in an unconscious attempt to get going. However he noticed his body was covered in a cold sweet, but he felt strangely warm. Not the usual heat he was used to providing for himself, this was a timid and enchanting warmth. The kind he only felt when he was with Lucy.

But that couldn't be right, Lucy couldn't be there now. She was gone, he had seen it happen. He held her close enough to know that she...she had...

"Natsu!!!!" A high voice called, drawing his attention out of his trance.

He turned his head to his right shoulder to see Happy clinging to his skin, tears in his eyes. Natsu was quite confused, why was Happy crying?

"Natsu." The ghostly voice pricked his ears, Lucy's voice, a voice that was no longer with him. Yet, with hope he swung his head quickly around, almost scared of what he would see. But he was not disappointed, not at all. Sitting almost on top of him, Lucy examined his conscious features.

She was smiling softly and slowly reached her hand out to touch his face. Noticing how terrified Natsu's expression must have been she reached out gently. Lucy's fingers were cold, nevertheless, she sent shivers down his soul.

Natsu didn't trust his eyes and grabbed tightly unto her wrists, giving his brain another proof of her existence.

"You kinda went ballistic out there, you okay now?" She asked, noting his odd behavior.

"...you...you...how..." Natsu couldn't find words, still too baffled by the fact that she was alive. He reached up and softly traced a finger over a large bandage on her forehead.

Lucy followed his gaze and smiled brightly. "Oh yeah, it's nothing. Just a scratch."

Natsu could smell her blood from behind the cloth, he knew she was downplaying the severity of her injury for his sake. Besides he had seen it fresh, he knew exactly how bad it was. Bad enough to make him believe her dead.

Natsu couldn't control himself a moment longer and pulled her into his arms, his fingers gripping her light hair. Breathing deeply, he inhaled her wonderfull scent and calmed his traumatized nerves.

Within the embrace, Lucy could feel Natsu shaking. She wanted to know what had upset him so much, maybe the same reason he had exploded earlier and fought Gray? Either way, she didn't want to push his fragile mentality at the moment. Therefore she mentally noted to ask him about it later, when he would be ready to talk.

For now he just needed to soak her in, for she calmed him. She was his peace. He thought he lost it, his comfort, his reason for fighting. His love. It was going to take a lot more than a drawn-out hug to regain his composure.

He repeated the two words she's alive...she's alive...over and over to try to make him truly believe it. Its wasnt too long until he realized he couldnt hold back his tears.

Lucy felt his light shaking turn to more violent tremblings as he constantly sniffed his nose. She knew he was crying.

"You died." Natsu choked from her shoulder.

This small sentence surprised Lucy, she didn't remember dying. But then, was that something she would remember? She drew herself from Natsu's grip and looked him in the eye.

"Hey, Im alight." She reassured gently. "Besides, you scared me to death!"

Lucy suddenly remembered her own version of the story and lightly smacked his arm. "You disappeared! When I woke up, everything was destroyed and you were gone! What was I supposed to think about that?!"

Natsu watched as Lucy's anger grew, she had every right to be upset. He hadn't thought about her experience, he was too focused on his own. Selfishly he had left Lucy alone again! He left her in enemy territory, greatly injured and alone. What a jerk he was! How could he do that to Lucy?!

"Im sorry." Natsu now avoided her gaze, not worthy of her friendship.

Lucy sighed and noticed Natsu's downcast mood. Maybe she shouldn't have told him that, now he felt guilty. Her yelling probably didn't help either, he was just worried about her. Why did she have to shout at him?! Lucy mentally slapped herself.

She placed a hand gently upon Natsu's shoulder and turned his head to face her. "Hey, we will always have each other. Right?"

This seemed to raise his spirits a bit and he smiled lightly. "Of course."

"Then come on, we have a war to win." Lucy suddenly stood, careful not to put too much weight in her left leg.

"Alright! To Fairytail!" Natsu straightened up and readied himself for battle.