~Natsu~

"AUUGH!!!" My hands clung to my chest. The sensation of my insides was being torn the pieces. I was singeing alive, being slit by the sharpest knife, tormented without being inflicted physically. "Natsu! NATSU!" Cold hands grasped me by my shoulders. "Get ahold of yourself!" I couldn't breathe. My lungs were drowning in what I believed to my own blood. I clamped for someone, anyone to see if I was dying.

"H-Help me..."

I noticed the change in my voice. It was like there were more voices coming out of me, speaking when I did. The cold hands tighten its hold. "Dammit! What the hell is happening!?" I fell further down to the ground. My raspy breathing was the only thing I could hear other than the sound of my heartbeat. No, there were two heartbeats. One was erratic, battling to continue pumping blood. The other heart was sluggish, falling closer and closer to coming to an end.

Why am I hearing two hearts, and which one is mine?

"Natsu, please you need to get up." I came to recognize it was Gray. I was lying on the dance floor with all the guests shrouding me. Erza and Jellal pushed through everyone when they were next to me. "Gray, what happened?!" Erza interrogated placing her hand on my cheek. "Why is he so cold? Did you do something?" Gray shook his head. "No, I didn't! Erza I don't have enough time to explain, but we have to find Lucy! Right now!"

Lucy...

"Sh-She..." I coughed out what felt like my lungs to taste something metallic in my mouth. "Where is Lu-...cy?" The scarlet mage became more anxious. "What the hell is going on? Where is she?" My eyes frantically scoured the crowd. Various faces and eyes looked down at me, almost shaming me for the state I'm in. Gray clamped his jaw as he closed his eyes. "She left. Hades and I were outside and we watched her run off into the woods. He went to go get her." The pain increased stimulating me to howl in agony. "Well, she needs to be here!" Erza exclaimed in anger standing on her feet. As if she was summoned, the crowd gasped at the sight of something. Erza's face went pale, whereas Jellal had to look away. Gray made a horrific expression when he tried to keep me from seeing it. "Don't look Natsu. Just look away!"

"This can't be happening." One guest said concealing their face. "What happened to her?" My eyes perked up. Her? Who's her? "Is she...dead?" I pressed myself to turn over. "Natsu, don't!" It was only a glimpse, but I saw everything I needed to see. It was a blonde girl in the arms of a Bringer. She was pale, limp, and cold. I could only hear the sound of her gradual heartbeat failing. Her eyes were shut...chest not even breathing. The Bringer's head was low, arms rigid while he held the girl in his arms. The girl that broke my heart, dead before my eyes.

Lucy.

"NO! NOO!!!" I wailed out the pain growing tenfold. I didn't care if I was being judged. Not even an hour ago we were together, smiling and laughing. Now she was gone before my very eyes. Gray forced me to turn my back while I rebelled against his grip. Even with the torment that was happening to me, I fought to reach her. "Let go of me! Let me go dammit!" I thrashed feeling a newfound power grow in me. "I'll kill him! I SWEAR I WILL KILL HIM!" I pointed at Hades, the man that was carrying my dead soulmate. His eyes came up revealing dark grey irises. "She...it wasn't...I don't understand." He muttered hugging Lucy tighter.

I pushed Gray off me. The surge of power intensified which enabled me to stand on my feet. I felt a tingle in my left arm with a powerful, dark force of energy traversing up my arms, while my right arm was the exact opposite. "TAKE YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF HER!" Gray let out a whirl of curses. "Hades, drop her now!" The Bringer clenched his jaw as he took a step back. "No. I can't leave her. Lucy needs me." My eyes closed when my hands hit my skull to try and ease the mental and emotional pain. There was a quiet...no, two quiet voices in the back of my mind.

       The Bringer took your soulmate.

  She rejected you to be with him.

                  Lucy never loved you.

We can assist you. We have powers beyond your mortal senses. Let Us seize control, and We can bring her back.

Hades's eyes dilated as he seemed to know what was happening. "Natsu, you need to listen to me. There's more to this than you realize. The voices in your head are only swindling you. They've done the same thing to Lucy-"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" I was abnormal, losing my senses with so much rage festering in me. Flames erupted around me, the heat becoming too overpowering for the crowd. "The tent is catching on fire!" One guest screamed as the smoke grew. "Everyone get out of here!" Gray shouted running to Hades. "We have to knock him out! He's falling into the Balance!" I didn't even understand what they were babbling about. For some unusual reason, I was only supervising what was unraveling through my eyes. It wasn't even me anymore. "I've suffered over and over my whole life! My father's gone, my guildmates fear me, and now you took the only precious thing I have ever had!? Even if you are Death I'll find a way to end your miserable life!" Gray put his hands up coughing through the smog. "Alright, Natsu! If you just quiet down we'll hand over Lucy. But you need to relax before we can do it."

My eyes trailed her body. Her red dress was torn by what I assumed were thorns and branches. There were minor cuts on her arms and legs, but the side of her head was bleeding. Her chest wasn't moving, and yet I can still hear the sound of her heart. She was dead...but her heart was thumping? "Explain to me, why is her heart is still beating?" Gray's face became unsettled when he peered at Hades. The Bringer softly looked down at Lucy's gentle face before placing his cheek on her head. "I don't know. This has never happened before. I've never tried to end the life of an immortal being!"

"I swear by the Gods if I don't get any answers, I'll bring forth the cataclysm on EarthLand!" The Ice mage again used his hands in a surrender motion. "Calm down, and we'll give you Lucy!" He claimed shifting closer with his hands up. I attended to his every move like a predator waiting for his prey. The fire grew larger when I noticed the party was up in blazes. The only people I see presently were Gray, Hades, and Lucy. "If you don't restrain the flames Natsu you'll only hurt her even more! This isn't good for Lucy's lungs!"

"SHE ISN'T EVEN BREATHING!" The floor shattered underneath me when a strong wind blew Gray back to Hades whose feet were planted on the ground. Lucy's hair whirled around covering her face whilst being smudged by blood. "WHAT'S THE POINT ANYMORE?! TELL ME WHAT POINT IS THERE IF LUCY CAN'T BREATHE!" Hades let out a shout. "She's not dead yet!" He yelled out. The whistling air unexpectedly stopped before us. The fire that was about to consume the forest halted from moving forward. My unstable senses were returning. "What do you mean? Lucy isn't breathing!"

"But you said so yourself her heart still beats!" The Bringer said taking a step closer. The voices returned growing louder.

Don't listen...he only lies. The Bringer wanted your Soulmate the moment she was born. He killed her. Will you not accept Our gift and take revenge?

"Natsu," Hades was only two steps away from me. "it's true. I do love Lucy with all my heart. But I would never take her away from you or her family! I am a man of my word when I say I care about Lucy's happiness! Why would I take her away when I knew you were her happiness!? When Fairy Tail her home, her guild, was when she was most joyful!" I snarled in disdain. "I should have never allowed you to come near her. Lucy would still be here if it weren't for you!" Hades was one step away. "Then help me bring her back. If you truly love this woman, then save her!" His eyes pleaded for aid. It must be true that he didn't know how this came to pass. Still, he did this to my soulmate. Though the voices were blaring into my skull I took in a deep breath to stabilize myself. "I will never forgive you, Hades. After this is finished, I will still slaughter you."

"Then I apologize what I'm about to do." My reflexes weren't fast enough when his fist impacted my chest. The strength that was in me depleted instantly than I could've comprehended. I fell back to the ground, coughing and wheezing for air. There was only the smell of smoke and fire when I proceeded to lose consciousness. Faintly, I could hear Gray and Hades conversing with each other. "What the hell happened?" The Ice mage asked, furious of the unwelcome commotion. "I did what was asked of me. I realized my mistake a moment too late, and now we must help Lucy before it's too late." A small wheeze escaped my lips as I used most of my energy to stay attentive. "Too late for what?!" Gray shouted. Hades was silent for mere seconds. "Before it's too late to save her soul."

My eyes closed, as did my conscience.

~~~

The sound of a church bell startled me. When I opened my eyes I noticed that I was wearing a tux with a yellow rose next to my heart. My scarf was still wrapped around my neck whilst my hair was slicked back with a single bang over my forehead. I was also in a bedroom that I've never been in before; with a king-size bed as a fireplace took one side of the wall. There was even a vanity that had perfumes and makeup brushes. I was standing in front of the full-body mirror when someone knocked on the door. The person entered a moment later. "Hey, you almost ready?"

It was Gray. I snapped my body to him. "Ready for what?" Ice Freak gave me a questionable grin. "Umm, your big day? It only took you two years to pop the big question." I was now confused. "What are you talking about? What big day?" Gray huffed in annoyance. "By the Gods, you're still a moron. You're getting married today, dumbass! I swear I didn't see you drink last night!" Now I was shocked. I literally jumped back from Gray with my arms up. "Weren't we just at Erza and Jellal's wedding!?"

"Natsu, that happened three years ago," Gray said now concerned about his comrade. "Are you feeling alright? You seemed fine last night at your bachelor party." I was anything but fine. One moment I was about to tear Hades and the other Gray apart, and now I'm getting married! "Since when did I ask Lucy to marry me!?" Gray seemed taken aback. He darted his eyes from one corner to the other when he cleared his throat. "Natsu, are you sure you're alright?"

"NO! I'm not alright! I feel like I've just jumped through time! What is going on Gray?" Before he could speak the door once more opened to reveal what must be my groomsmen. "What's up, big man! Ready to be a husband?" An aged Elfman asked slapping me on the back. An older Romeo showed himself in, wearing a tux with a white rose and his hair spiky like mine. "Hey Natsu, your bride is getting angsty! You know how she is, always impatient." The other guys laughed at his joke whereas I just stood there in silence. Lucy wasn't that impatient...

"We really should get going. Come on Natsu, let's go!" It felt like I was being pulled as my feet fought to stay planted. Under no circumstance was I ready to be at the alter. What's worse is I don't even know how I asked Lucy for her hand again.

~~~

We were now in a chapel that I've never been in before. It's like wherever I end up it's somewhere I have never seen. I thought dreams brought you back to places you've been previously? Unlike the Fernandes wedding, it appears mine and Lucy's was much smaller consisting only Fairy Tail as our guests. There were a few faces I didn't know, as well as the minister when he greeted me warmly. "Congratulations on your big day. The bride is very lucky to have you."

"Yeah...thanks." I was very hesitant about my reply. The minister, however, didn't notice or just ignored my apprehension. The wedding began, and as always the bridesmaid and groomsmen came out first, then the flower girl, and the ring bearer. All I was waiting for was to see Lucy. Maybe she would tell me what's going on. At last, the music started; the audience stood up when the door opened to reveal the bride. I couldn't see Lucy's face because of the veil. It was in front of her front covering her from her face down to her chest. Gray nudged my shoulder. "She looks great Natsu." He murmured with a warm smile. But I didn't feel thrilled at all when the bride came in. There was a troubling feeling swirling and growing in my chest that I needed to gulp my nervousness back down my throat.

It felt like an eternity as the bride walked down the aisle holding a bouquet of yellow and white roses. I noticed that I was actually trembling now, beads of sweat rolled down the back of my neck which I assumed was because of my scarf. Then, Lucy was up at the altar, gazing right at me. I could see a smile under the veil that it managed to ease my nerves. My hands came up, grabbed the veil gently, and threw it over her head. There, my bride was revealed.

And it was not Lucy...

My heart almost jumped out of me that I grabbed my chest. The brown orbs that I hoped to see were actually emerald green. I didn't notice at first but this blonde had a hint of strawberry making her pure blonde locks seem tarnished. There was also a beauty mark next to her left eye. "Who are you?" I asked not even thinking. The girl before me smiled. "What're you talking about silly? I'm going to be your wife."

"No," I declared, taking a step back. "you're not my wife. Who are you?" The green-eyes girl glanced at one of her bridesmaid for help. "Natsu, don't you remember me? It's me, Vivian. We've dated for two years, and you proposed to me almost four months ago." The bride, Vivian, explained with a shaky voice. Erza, who was the Maid of Honor, took a step forward. "What's wrong Natsu? You know Vivian, she joined the guild almost three years ago."

"No, I don't remember! I have no clue who this woman is or why I'm even tying the knot with her! Now where the hell is Lucy!?" The crowd gasped as if I grew horns and a third eye. Erza became uptight by my question when she placed her hand on Vivian. "Why are you bringing this up? I thought you finally moved on. Vivian was helping you and your grief." My grief?! "What are you talking about!" I screamed. Vivian jumped by my abrupt question when she dropped the bouquet in her hand. "I thought you were passed this. You were getting better..."

Gray moved forward with a solemn look. "Are you saying you don't remember what happened three years ago?" Gray and Erza looked at each other, then he sighed. "Natsu, Lucy's been dead for three years."

Lucy...dead?

No. No Lucy wasn't dead. Hades said so himself she wasn't dead! Out of nowhere, a laugh came out of me. "You're lying. You were there, Hades said she was still alive!" Gray shook his head. "No Natsu, he was wrong. We examined Lucy and we didn't find a pulse. Somehow he killed her regardless of her curse." My head was shaking. Even though we were in a glamorous chapel this must be some sick nightmare. "This isn't real. This isn't real!" I shouted now tugging my hair to wake up. Vivian tugged at my sleeve as tears were running down her face. "Natsu stop it! You promised you would stop hurting yourself!" She cried. I shoved her away without a thought. "Don't touch me!" I hollered making everything and everyone stop. It was so quiet I could hear a pin fall on the ground. Vivian was still blubbering like a baby when Erza took a step forward. "You aren't doing this again! You said you were prepared to move on, so why are you reverting back to your old ways on the day of your wedding?!"

"I don't know her!" I pointed at the bride. "Listen, I know this is only a nightmare! Eventually, I'll wake up and never have to relive this again. Just let me see Lucy and I'll be fine." There was a sudden force being inflicted on my jaw when I fell to the ground. Gray had his fist out as his face was contorted with rage. "The hell is wrong with you Ash-for-Brains!? Vivian loves you with all her heart and you're going to pull this crap AGAIN!?"

"Pull what again?!" These questions were making me furious. Whatever they were talking about I didn't know anything about it. Erza scoffed at me. "Don't be an idiot! You keep thinking back to when you and Lucy were together! You continue to live in the past!" I grabbed Gray's collar then yanked him closer to my face. "I am NOT marrying this woman. I want to find Lucy, and I want answers..."

"There's no point, Natsu," Gray whispered when the atmosphere grew dark out of nowhere. "Lucy's gone. She's been dead for three years. You need to learn how to move on with your life. It's only you that can't seem to get that through your thick skull." I had to push him away. If he was within my range I knew I was going to enact to breaking him in half. "Lucy will be the only woman I ever love. She is my soulmate, and I am not about to let that go..." Gray's jaw clenched. "Then so be it..."

Then the pain returned.

~~~

I released a gasp of air when I woke up. The air around me smelled of alcohol and gauze already knowing where I was. When I tried to move my hand I was restrained by leather straps on the bed that were engraved to prevent me from burning through them. I huffed in anger, fighting the straps until I exhausted myself once more. "Dammit! Let me out!" I yelled glancing around the room to see if I can find some way to escape. There was nothing close for me to reach, not even a small scalpel. Sweat rolled down my skin onto my muffler when I decided I had to relax. If I was going to find a route out of here I needed to have a clear mind. "I want out now!" I said loudly waiting for anyone to show up.

There weren't even nurses in the room. I became fearful this was another dream until finally, the door opened. I didn't expect to see Hades. His usual attire was gone as he was only wearing a white cotton shirt with faded brown pants. His hair was down, and his eyes were tired and grey. "It's good to see you awake." I turned my head away from him. "Go to hell."

"That's kinda harsh." He retorted then sat himself down on the bed. I didn't look at him for what felt like minutes. It was strange how he was just hunching there, perhaps contemplating his stupid life. "Natsu," He initiated while swiping away a strand of his hair off his face. "Lucy is running out of time. But if you want to understand what's happening I need you to trust me." He actually caught my attention. "What did you mean when you said she was immortal? And that I'm falling into the Balance?"

"Look," Hades stood up. "if you want to blame anyone of what I'm about to tell you, then blame me. Lucy only felt she was doing the right thing from not telling you or anyone her secrets. Now because of what has transpired, I'm afraid if we don't act fast we may as well forfeit our lives." Ultimately, I returned my eyes to Hades. "Lucy is still alive, but there is not much time until the Gods uncover her. Her soul has been severed into five shards, all of them obscuring in all Five Realms. The only way we can pull her back is by locating the lost fragments, and restoring her soul."

"I need to know why." After all the hell I've been through, I just desired to know one thing. "Why did she reject me? Does Lucy no longer love me?" Hades was still, until after a few moments he gazed his eyes back on me. "You're a fool if you actually feel she never loved you. The only reason why she withheld her secrets was that she loves you and her family." Hades came back to the bed and sat down. "Allow me to explain everything. From the moment she was created till' now..."

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As always...love you all!❤️