Song: Innocence
        By: Nathan Wagner

(Just to warn ya'll, this is a very long chapter to make up for my absence of course. So I'd get a snack and get comfortable in your favorite blanket. I hope you all enjoy. ^-^)

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~Natsu~

I couldn't recall how I ended up back at the Guild Hall. All I remembered before collapsing was standing over the dead body of the demon and now I'm back home, lying in the comfort of a bed that was in the Fairy Tail infirmary. The light of the moon provided a wave of comfort when I gently tugged myself to sit as I massaged the back of my neck. Then I peered next to me only to find my soulmate lying in her bed. Lucy's eyes were still closed and her skin pale as a ghost, she still looked gorgeous. I felt at ease being near her, but it wasn't enough for me until she was finally back. Wherever she was I could only yearn she was evading the Gods before we could get the remainder of her discarded Soul.

Even my Sight could grasp the energy overwhelming inside her. There was such a power festering in Lucy I couldn't comprehend how she hasn't blown up from the amount of power that resides in her body. The Balance was truly one of the greatest magical beings to have ever existed. I shook my head then threw the cover off of me to stand. My head was fuzzy, but it also felt numb. There was nothing inside me to even feel after what I've seen in that forsaken cave. Whatever that demon was, it actually did a number on me. It brought my greatest fear to life and even tried to alter my happiest memories. That evil entity tricked me to trust it.

I stepped in front of Lucy's bed to sit down next to her. Being next to my soulmate I vaguely heard the sound of her heartbeat deteriorating. Every day without a soul was a step closer to never beating again. I could even feel the tension Lucy's body was going through to stay alive. If Lucy wasn't immortal...she would have been long gone by now. "Luce..." I took my hand into Lucy's cold palm that laid next to her. Even with her chest not moving I knew she was struggling to stay alive. Her immortality is saving her from plummeting into the Abyss. It must be doing something to prohibit her from entirely dying. "Why did you do this? Why try to kill yourself when you knew it wouldn't work? Why must you let me suffer to bring you back?" My voice cracked, but my grip was still strong when I stooped my head down.

Nothing could ever be right for me and Lucy. The Gods do everything in their capability to thwart Lucy from ever being happy. She was cursed, but she was a blessing in disguise only Fairy Tail and I can see. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." My eyes traced Lucy's face. From her sunken eyes to her cheekbones that were exposed by a thin sheet of skin and all the way down to her cracked lips. I picked her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles, just like what I did when I was being consumed by the demon. But Lucy wasn't here to tell me to wake up, she couldn't tell me it was time to go to the Guild Hall. "I'm so lost without you here, Lucy. Why can't I bring you back sooner?! Why must I always fail you in the end!?"

The door to the infirmary opened making me seize to stand. It was MiraJane and Hades that entered. "I see you're finally awake," Hades announced crossing his arms in his chest. "How did I get back here?" Mira, who was holding a tray of food and glass of water, placed the silver dish on my bed then sat next to it. "After defeating the demon, you collapsed. For a minute all of us were about to hunt you to get you back home, but since you accomplished in gaining Sight the Giver brought you home. Of course, you did damage the cave that held the demon prisoner."

"Does that surprise you?" I went back to my bed picking the bowl up that held one of Mira's famous hot broth. Mira smiled at my question. "Of course not. You are Natsu Dragneel after all." The broth was delicious I hadn't known I was starving until the first sip. Still eating away Hades spoke once more. "I  understand if you need to continue to rest. Facing, hell, even revolting a demon can extinguish a human's energy for a day or two. But time is of the essence when it comes to reclaiming the other four shards of Lucy's soul. So I need to know when you're ready."

"Hades, he just returned after being trapped in a cave for four days. Give him a chance to at least rest for the night. We only got him back a few hours ago." The Bringer closed his eyes with fists clamped. "I understand, Mira, but the longer we wait the less time we have into bringing Lucy back." I finished what was left of the broth after licking my lips clean. "He's right Mira. I shouldn't be sitting here while valuable time slips past us. I feel better now that I got some sleep." Back on my feet again I faced Hades. "I also know where we have to go next to reach the second shard." Hades and Mira looked at me completely flabbergast. "Already? But how!?"

"It's...kinda weird to explain. Now that I have the Sight I can just see past through the Realms and find the shards much easier than with the invisible bond. In fact, the bond is even stronger now that I have Sight." For once since Hades has been here he managed a smile. "Where must you go? Where is the second shard?"

I looked down. "The Midnight Realm."

~~~

It appears no one has left the Guild Hall since I went away to the cave. Some of my comrades slept with their heads tucked around their arms on a table while others actually brought sleeping bags. Now that I was awake and standing the Guild was wide awake and sat at their tables with me, Hades, and Gramps on stage. "We have an issue," Gramps began already being informed of what I knew. The old man inhaled deeply from what must've been stress. "though Natsu has received his Sight, I'm afraid we are still at a dead end on where he must go."

"Where is it, Gramps?" Romeo asked. Hades spoke for both of us. "The next shard is in the Midnight Realm. As most of you know only a Dark One can enter that Realm, and without the Dark One and with my power to travel between Realms, we have no way of getting to Lucy's second shard." My guildmates fell silent. One person asked if I could just open the portal since I was connected to Lucy. "Just because Natsu shares a link to the Balance does not make him a Dark One. The only thing he can do with the Light and Darkness is only borrow their powers until it returns to the host. Before Lucy, the previous Dark One made it very clear for only himself and his followers to open a gateway to his Realm."

"Wait!" A voice spoke out with the sound of a chair squeaking from being pushed. It was Levy with both hands on the table. "You said himself and followers. Are you positive that even though Lucy is unconscious her followers can still open a gateway to the Midnight Realm?" Hang on, how could I have forgotten about Levy? She still holds a piece of the Darkness making her a follower of Lucy. "I'm not sure, but as long as you hold the Darkness then I believe you can still open a gateway to the Realm." Levy grinned in return of Hades's statement. "Then I'll take Natsu to the Midnight Realm."

"What?"

"Now wait a minute." It was Gajeel that interjected Hades. "All of us heard what happened at the town you guys were in before returning. A big fog settled in Hargeon that some of the citizens were actually lost in their own city because of the mist Bunny Girl brought. What would be happening in the Midnight Realm that could harm-" Gajeel stopped speaking. He scowled for a moment at the ground until slamming his fists into the table. "We almost lost Levy once! What's going to happen to her if she's trapped in a Realm with you Salamander!? We can't risk it!"

"Gajeel I can take care of myself! I was fine when the Dragons came to Crocus so I'm sure I can merely escort Natsu through the Midnight Realm." Levy and Gajeel were in a staredown. One having to turn her head up to the sky as the other looked below to the ground. There was intense energy coming from the both of them that eventually, someone coughed just to break it. "The choice is up to Levy." It was Gramps that broke it. "It's her decision to go or not. Levy, would do you wish to do?"

"I can go Master." Gajeel's face grimaced that he forcefully sat back down in his seat. "I can take Natsu to the Midnight Realm. He will be safe to cross and as long as I am with him the creatures there shouldn't hurt him either." Hades, Gramps, and I all seemed to sigh with relief. I jumped down from the stage facing Levy who was walking over to me. Being over a foot from her height I was leaning my head down to see her face. "When can we go?" Levy smirked, closing her eyes when the shadows that were in the Guild Hall flew past us and all around Levy. It slithered into her skin, changing her clothes and replacing it with armor. Her face vanished until her helm appeared. "Now is better than never."

"Shrimp," Gajeel came up to us, well to Levy, when he pulled her hands close to him. "just come back alive alright? You told me what it's like in the Midnight Realm. Tell me you'll make it back."

"I will. I will always come back to my family, and to you Gajeel." The two held hands a moment longer until Levy broke their hold and made her blade appear in her hand. She cut the air in front of her letting Darkness swell in front of us before it peeled open. Unlike the StarLight Realm gateway, the Midnight Realm looked like it even festered the air around it. The smell that came out from the Realm burned my eyes I had to use my arms and scarf to hide my nose. "The smell isn't so bad. You just have to get used to it." Levy entered first, and soon after I was behind her leaving EarthLand.

~~~

What I did not expect to see was fire. And from Levy's reaction, she also did not expect to be greeted by the enormous flames. What made me froze in fear was that this wasn't just any flame.

The fire was white.

"Get back Levy!" A wave of fire almost consumed us if I hadn't pulled Levy back. The portal was already gone leaving us stranded in a desert of ash, ruins, and fire. "What's the meaning of this!? Is there fire in the Midnight Realm?!"

"No! Something's happening here! I can't even find Shadowlings or the Fallen Flyers. A powerful force is causing destruction to Midnight!" No. It's not just any powerful force... "Levy, this has to be Lucy's doing."

"Lucy!? Why would she do this to her Realm it doesn't make sense!"

"But it does! When I found the first shard the fog in Hargeon dissipated! The second shard of Lucy's soul must be burning Midnight with Solantir's flames!"

"Solantir's fire? But that would mean-" She didn't need to finish her sentence. Lucy once told me after I was touched by Solantir's flames I would be safe from it, but now I knew the truth. In a way, I was connected to Solantir the very first Dragon. Unlike Levy, I didn't need to be afraid of the white flame before me. But I was. I felt my soul being burned for what felt like an eternity until Lucy saved me. I know how it feels to slowly lose your sanity as my very flesh fell from my bones. I was beyond terrified to even touch this fire. "Don't let it touch you!" I yelled out quickly trying to find any cover before we were flooded with the intense heat. Levy pointed one way, but I couldn't even hear her because the fire was incredibly loud. She grabbed my wrist and yanked me until we were now sprinting across a terrain, ashen field. I had to close my eyes to try and prevent any more flakes of ash hitting my eyes that I could only rely on Levy's perception of where she was taking me. Even with the fire enclosing us, I felt cold in the Midnight Realm.

I was suddenly thrown forward until I impacted the ground and heard the sound of a door shutting. The wind could still be heard but the sight of the fire was gone. Levy and I were heaving for air that the bookworm threw her helm off. Now I could see her face, the one that her veins were blackened and irises darker than maroon. "What the hell is happening out there?! How can we cross the Battered Field if it's covered by fire?"

"There are names of places here? Because in the West I saw the shard of Lucy's Soul. Through my Sight, I found her in what looked like a ruined castle just opposite of what's in Aria." Levy stopped gasping for air. For a few seconds, she only stood there, standing in silence until she leaned her back into the already fragile wall of a stone house. "That's where the Dark One originally resides. It's known for many names, but Lucy calls it the Fortress. It used to be a castle but the nature here is more hostile than the nature in EarthLand. There's always a snowstorm made entirely of ash. The black sun here doesn't make anything warmth nor brings life but instead takes it away. That's why it feels cold even with the fire standing next to us if you wondered. The Midnight Realm could be considered hell if there wasn't one already. If Lucy's soul shard is in the Fortress then we have a big problem." Levy pointed at the door. "We have to cross the Battered Field, which is a twelve-mile walk, in order to reach the Fortress. We'll never make it in time. It would take us days to reach the Fortress and I wouldn't survive Solantir's fire out there. But I have to escort you otherwise you'd get lost. Or worse, get caught by Fallen Flyers or Shadowlings. A fate worse than death."

"So all in all, we're screwed?" Levy crossed her arms before sighing. "Not screwed, just stuck at the moment. If I had paper and a pen then maybe I can draw a map, but there's no material like that except at the Fortress." I bowed my head. Every time we are making progress we end up at a dead-end of some sort. There was no way we could make it across this barren field without risking being scathed by the soul-burning fire. Even in another Realm, I believe the Gods still use the universe to stop me in my track. "Natsu?"

"Yes?"

"I wanted to tell you we watched everything. While you were in the cave..." Oh. So they watched me kill an actual demon? "And? Am I a freak because I was able to kill a demon from Hell?"

"That's not what I'm worried about. I killed hundreds of thousands of humans when I was under the control of the Dark One. I've seen things too, Natsu. I was wondering who that woman was. The woman with green eyes..." I perked my head up. "You saw 'everything' everything?" Levy nodded. "Who is she? I've never seen her before. The Giver said the demon would take a form of your greatest fear. At first, she was an imposter of Lucy, but then she became someone I have never even met before. Do you know that woman from somewhere?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Natsu, I can see that you're suffering from what happened. You encountered a demon for Gods sake! Talk to me and you may feel better!" Now I was clenching my fists. Seeing Vivian again made my blood boil and rage near uncontrollable. "I said: I don't want to talk about it."

"After everything I did almost a year ago, I was struggling too. But talking to someone made me feel better. It helped me get over the guilt and burden I was carrying. You're not alone, Natsu. You have to realize that you have family and friends that want to help you." Before I could stop myself I slammed my fist into the wall making it collapse on itself. "I DON'T WANT TO TALK!!!" Levy didn't even flinch. "I've seen Lucy act far worse. Your voice and form does not frighten me."

"Well then get it through your head that I really would not talk about it to you or anyone else then let my emotions spill out in the open. It's for the best so I can concentrate on saving Lucy from actually dying!"

"Is that woman your lover? Did-...Did you cheat on Lucy?"

"NO! NO, I would never cheat on Lucy! That woman she's-" I bit my tongue to stop talking any further. For a moment I felt myself about to just let every single feeling release like a dam breaking. I didn't want to do this here, or with Levy. At this point, I just felt too heavy to stand. I slid down the rubble of the wall I demolished as I roughly ruffled my hair with my hands. "I don't know how to feel. These past two weeks have been a living hell for me. Lucy's failed suicide, finding her first missing shard, facing a demon to learn Sight, and now we're stuck here in the Midnight Realm to retrieve her second soul shard. It's like no matter how hard we revolt against destiny, it always wins." I hadn't noticed that Levy was slumping next to me. Still, in her Dark Knight form, she rested her hand on my arm. "Tell me about it. Let it all spill out from you. It may help you feel better." I guess Levy cracked my dam of emotions.

"Awhile back, I had a dream or a premonition. It was my wedding day and at first, I assumed I was marrying Lucy, but it was that woman you saw. Her name is Vivian, a woman I have never seen in my life either until now. It was confusing as well as chaotic. In my supposed dream the entire guild knew her and I was the crazy one. After that, I had thoughts that I was going to fail in saving Lucy, and that over time I would just move on so effortlessly because I would encounter this woman. The demon in the cave exploited this against me. It made me believe that I would betray Lucy after death because I shortly move on from loving her to loving this woman Vivian. It used my love for Lucy against me. It extorted me is all..."

"Natsu...maybe what you saw really was a dream. If not, then wouldn't Lucy want you to move on and be happy? Hasn't she been struggling to break your Soul Connection with her just so you could live a normal life and start a family?" I closed my eyes. "I don't care about any of that now. All I want is to be with Lucy. We could have tried to find another way to shatter the Connection so both of us would have lived. Maybe we could have just kept the Souls Connection! She doesn't need to try sacrificing her life for me. She's done it too many times now. I just...I wish she would have told me everything from the start."

"Fear causes us to make many mistakes. I'm sure you heard that before, but Lucy was scared. Scared that you would hate her, or Fairy Tail opposing her new self. Lucy only wanted things to go back to the way they were, but they can't. She's the Balance, an entity, a God among men. When we bring her back we have to help her accept who she is and I know you of all people can assist her. Whoever Vivian is, I'm sure she's a nice girl, but your heart already belongs to someone else. Just keep in mind that you can decide who to love. Even if Lucy wasn't your soulmate and Vivian was, don't let that stop you from loving who you truly want to be with. I'll say it loud and clear, screw the Gods and their plans. They can't control all of us. Lucy is a prime example of true freedom and damning fate. Go by her example."

"Then why does it feel like I can't change the outcome of this?" I asked. Levy didn't answer back, because she couldn't. If the only person that could alter fate was Lucy, then perhaps our lives were nothing but part of the pastime the Gods were manipulating. There was no such thing as free will or even actual freedom. "Levy, do you know what I forfeited, or what the demon took from me?" She shook her head. "I lost hope. Now I know hope is only for the weak-willed men that hope their life turns to better ways. Hope is nothing but a poor man's card to play, and the card has no effect on him or anyone else."

"That's not true."

"It's not? Then tell me, how is it that when Lucy's life starts getting better, there's another crisis swinging and slamming her to the ground? How come Fairy Tail's life hasn't fully recovered from what Lucy did almost a year ago? You say you're better, but I can see the bags under your eyes. Even though you're talking to someone you still have nightmares of the innocent people you slaughtered. Even though Lucy brought them back from the dead, you still see their faces right before you murder them in cold blood."

"That's enough!" The small woman stood back up, this time shaking making her armor racket. "Without hope then what is there left to live for? Hope helps us heal and over time we are left but a scar. I still endure from the truth I executed people, but I hold hope that someday I will conquer that burden and will find enlightenment in my life. You can't sacrifice hope or you'll be left in complete darkness." I pulled myself to stand. Even with her demonic eyes staring into my soul, I felt nothing. There wasn't fear or turmoil. Nor anger to find in me. "Then I must have already been consumed by darkness. There's nothing left for me but to save Lucy. After that, I'm not sure what's to come."

"Natsu are you even hearing to yourself!?"

"I am. For the first time, I am actually listening to what I'm confessing. There is no such thing as hope. All that's left in this world is a strong will to stand, and once that will dies out, fall to the dirt and accept your fate. No one can fight against fate so is there even a sense to keep fighting?" I should have anticipated Levy to whack me, but I didn't. Her steel hand went across my cheek and caused me to fly to the soot. "You are the biggest idiot! This is not the Natsu Dragneel I know and, to be frank, I want the real Natsu to come back now! Natsu, until you get your head out of your ass, I'll be journeying to the Fortress to get Lucy back! With, or without you." Levy went to the door and slammed it shut behind her. There was no way she wouldn't make it across the field without being scorched to death. Would she use hope to help her out of it? Probably. "What do I know? I've seen just about everything including my soul burning to death. But no, I can't lose hope for a second otherwise I'll be slapped by a comrade of mine." I looked away from the door chewing the inside of my cheek. Soon enough Levy will come back inside and we'll make some sort of strategy to get across the field.

I waited, but she didn't come back.

"Dammit." I stood up without another moment to spare and opened the door to go find Levy. The fire was out of control as it just grew massive for even me to handle. I used my arms to cover my face from the ash that fell like snow while screaming out to Levy. "Levy! Levy where are you!?" The fire moved in the form of tides hitting against the sand. Even if I were safe from the touch of Solantir's flames I didn't want to find out. With every stroke that tried to skim me, I acted on the impulse to evade the fire. Levy couldn't have gone far, but if I don't find her soon I know she will suffer the fate I shared months ago. I couldn't allow that to happen. "LEVY!"

"Natsu!" She must've been only a few yards away. As I struggled to reach her I watched Levy use her Script Magic to fight against the white flames. "Solid Script: Wind!" Even with her Script Magic, I knew it wasn't sufficient to hold against Solantir's blaze. I lunged across avoiding the fire as best I could and jerked Levy into my chest. "Please," I pleaded fastening my hold to protect the small mage. "if there is hope left in this world, please send help. Please, if you can hear me, Lucy, help me and Levy survive this. I'm begging you!" I tucked my head between my shoulders clutching my jaw not discerning my grip was tight between Levy and my chest. Let hope be real and someone, anyone, save us from the fire about to consume us. "HELP~!"

"Natsu, look!"

A powerful gust of wind extinguished the fire around us when Levy pointed up to the sky. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would not have believed Levy if she told me herself. It was a Dragon, but not just any Dragon. "Solantir. He heard me!" The great Spirit Dragon docked on the ashen ground staring at me with his dull brown eyes. "Quickly, hop on my back the both of you!" I jerked Levy up helping her first to get on Solantir's back then pulled myself up. Solantir, with his enormous wings, flew up to the sky. With the altitude now we could observe the entire land being eaten away from the white fire. "What is this?"

"My Cub's anger." Levy and I looked at Solantir's head. Though he didn't move his mouth he spoke to us through our minds. I recalled Lucy elucidating to me that as long as we held contact with Solantir he could communicate to us. But I wasn't touching him when he ordered us to get on his back. "Solantir...am I connected to you as well?"

"I thought you knew that by now," Solantir said seeming as if he grinned by his comment. Levy intervened before I could reply. "What do you mean it's Lucy's anger? Why did she do this to the Midnight Realm?"

"My Cub's anger has taken the form of her Dragon Slaying Magic. She has used my Soul Fire to eradicate the one thing she hates most: her true self. She is, after all, the true Dark One. Just as she was in denial when you first found her first Soul Shard Natsu, this is her second Soul Shard, her anger that she has repressed most of her life before her human life and her anger while being a human. This is the devastation she has caused and will inflict to the remaining Realms if you do not soothe her."

Solantir flew across the barren field within minutes. Ahead I could see the ruins of the Fortress where Lucy's soul should be residing. "I heard your cry Natsu. That's why I came to aid you before anyone was harmed by my flames. If either Lucy or I are not cautious we could bring annihilation, and engulf the soul of any living being." I rested my hand over my stomach. I could still feel the way Solantir's fire embedded into my skin, the feeling of my soul simmering for eternity until Lucy freed me from the torment of his flames. "I know how it feels. I would never wish that pain upon anyone if your Soul Fire went out of control."

"Let us hope we can salvage this Realm before it is too late." Solantir swept down dousing the fire in the entrance of the Fortress when we slung ourselves off him. Levy still held her hand on his scales when I moved forward to see his face. "Is it true that you sent the Dragons to sleep forever? Was my father one of the Dragons you called to sleep?" Solantir's eyes lowered. "I am sorry, Natsu. There was a considerable amount of Dragons that I pulled to hibernate. Some of them were left awake since they were my closest allies, but even by then, they were called to sleep for eternity. I'm sure your father is one of the Dragons that are only sleeping." I gave a short nod still feeling anxious. If Igneel is one of the Dragons that was put to sleep then that means I can never find him. I don't even know where to proceed to look to find him. "Thanks, Solantir. At least I know my old man is alive."

"Natsu, it's time to go." Levy thanked the old Dragon before striding to the entrance. I said my goodbyes to Solantir pursuing Levy inside when the Spirit Dragon took flight and disappeared. Now we were in the vacant hallways filled with nothing but dust, ash, and what I assumed was black blood. The tether I felt with Lucy's soul was pulsating, informing me that we were exceedingly close. After a few flights of stairs and more endless foyers, we arrived at a large pair of decaying timber doors. "This is the throne room. Do you feel the connection through here?"

"Yes. She's right through these doors." I came forward gently laying my hands on the door. Even through the doors, I could almost feel her. She was so close, and yet too far for me to reach. "I'm going inside." Levy clutched my wrist before I was able to open the doors. "Remember, this is Lucy's anger we're confronting. This isn't just Lucy Heartfilia, but a very, VERY, angry side of her. Are you sure you're ready?"

"I have to see her Levy. Even if this is her anger I'm not afraid of her. No matter what I will always recognize that she's my Lucy." Levy released my wrist. "I'll be right behind you. If you need my blade for any reason I will show no mercy. As I said, Lucy doesn't scare me, so this is no issue for me." After a brisk nod, I gradually opened the door.

I was confused for a moment. For this being Lucy's anger the throne room was eerily calm. The only white fire I caught sight of was the Dark Form of Lucy that danced on her skin. For being darkly beautiful, white light emitted from her making her appear like a dark angel being consumed by the rays of Heaven's sun. Lucy's legs were crossed as she sat on her throne, one arm on the armrest keeping her head up as her other arm rested on her leg. Again she was wearing the black corset with a dark red undershirt ruffling down her arms and stomach. With her legs wearing leather black pants she was also wearing a black laced back skirt that ran down the seat like a waterfall to the heels she was wearing. The dark veins ran through her face and I presumed her entire body as well. Somehow, she still looked gorgeous even though she was in her Dark One form. "Lucy." I murmured under my breath. I didn't know she could hear me, because the moment I let her name out of my mouth her eyes, that were closed when I came into the room, snapped open. Lucy was suddenly standing. "What are you doing in my domain!" Her voice rang the throne room making the castle itself tremble. "Have you come to infiltrate my home? How dare you! How dare you show yourself before the Dark One in her own home!" The fire around her grew powerful like fuel being added. I could feel the heat even being on the other side of this spacious room. "We're not here to infiltrate! We've come to take you home Lucy." I began saying taking a small step forward. Lucy put her hand up. "Not another step!" I halted before taking my second step. "I will make you regret speaking before me you little rat! You enter my Realm without my approval, barged into my lodging, and now you order me as if I'm a commoner. I will end your insufferable annoyance!"

"Lucy no-" I watched Lucy's palm struck to life with the Soul Fire. "LEAVE MY REALM!" Fire soared out of her hand and straight to us. Levy and I hastily dived both of us going opposite ways to avoid the assault Lucy just compelled.  The door caught fire when a loud boom shook the castle once more. Dust, as well as ash, polluted the air that it was even harder to breathe. I coughed into my muffler whilst wiping my eyes. "You wish to enrage me more, don't you?! My power is fueled by fury, so continue to anger me! I will only end your pathetic lives!" More Soul Fire streamed from Lucy's palm as the intense heat grew more unbearable even for me. "Levy, we may need your blade right about now!"

"Way ahead of you Natsu!" Levy leaped over the attack that was meant for her only to hit a column the Script Mage used for cover. Levy materialized an obsidian blade in her hand averting the attacks Lucy was hurling at her. "You betray me as everyone else did my dear Knight! Very well then, I will squish the life out of you once and for all! You are all the same! Humans scurrying like the pests you are and undermining the beauty of all things. I WILL END EVERY LAST LIVING THING!!!" Levy ducked readying her blade to hit Lucy until the Dark One easily caught the obsidian blade in its path. Lucy pulled the Script Mage close to her until they were face to face. "You are weak, just like the rest of them." Lucy punched Levy in her gut until sideswiping her face with her fist. Levy flew to the other side of the room clutching her abdomen as a bruise was already forming on her cheek. Lucy was now overlooking me. "All humans take everything for granted. You don't know what it's like to be something like me!" Lucy jumped into the air about to send her fire attack right at me. I stood my ground glaring deep into her blood-soaked irises. "Fire Dragon: ROAR!" My Fire as well as Lucy's impacted each other. Two fires swirled into one creating an incredible color with orange and white. It was like the sun consuming a white star, making a star yield power I have never felt before. From the collision, Lucy and I were thrown both ways. My head was greeted by an already damaged wall letting more debris drop on me whereas Lucy crashed the ceiling. Even though I could see stars and my vision was unsteady, my instinct kicked in when I was on my feet sprinting to catch Lucy before she fell. I skidded on my knees with arms out until Lucy landed into my chest. Dark, black blood slid down her face when she opened her eyes once more. "You are a fool! Release me before I attempt to kill you again!"

"I'm sorry." Lucy quit thrashing in my arms. Her shocked gaze turned and stared at me. "What did you say?" I clenched my jaw until I pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry. I can't even think about how much it feels to despise yourself. I can never even begin to imagine why I wasn't born a human as you do. Why you must resent us because of something you're not. I'm sorry, Lucy, that I didn't acknowledge you felt like this until now." Lucy was still in my tight hold that I thought she stopped breathing. That was until she set her head on my shoulder. "You can never feel what I have. How can I be a human when I was meant to be this monster? How can I love a human and be a human when I'm not even one? You will never understand my hatred Natsu. Never." I closed my eyes, hugging her even tighter. "I know. I am so, so sorry Luce. Just because of what the Gods intended for you didn't happen doesn't mean it wasn't meant to be. You forged your own destiny with your own hands. You made yourself the way you are. Why do you still feel like you are not a human being when really you are the most humanly person I have ever met?" Amazingly, Lucy giggled. "That made no sense what you said last."

"As far as I know, humans giggle when they listen to their boyfriend try to speak coherently." Lucy finally returned my hug. "Am I really a human being Natsu? For so long since I realized what I am I haven't felt like a human since. Can I still be a human like you?" I nodded without hesitation. "Of course you can. To me and everyone that is your family still saw you like Lucy Heartfilia. We understood that you changed in ways, but you are still human. We love you, Lucy."

A sudden bright glow, one that wasn't fire, was shining from Lucy's body. She sighed with relief as if she was holding her breath for a very long time. She snuggled her head into the crook of my neck when she whispered into my ear. "The anger, it's slowly ceasing away." Lucy's form changed from her Dark One form back to being her human self. Still, she wore the same clothes as the Dark One, her eyes were no longer the color of blood and the veins had faded. "I'm sorry for causing trouble. Tell Levy I'm sorry for hurting her."

"It's alright, I'm all good here." Levy was reclining leaning her back on another column with her hand still over her gut. "We'll see you soon Lu-chan." Lucy and I smiled at Levy when I felt a familiar hand intertwine with mine. "Thank you for saving me again, Natsu. Even though you knew it was Solantir's fire, you still came to help me."

"I will always be here to help you, Luce. Soon you'll be back and we can go on more adventures together." I gazed down at Lucy only seeing the silhouette of her face as she was a pillar of light. Lucy closed her eyes, smiling sadly at me. "I'd like that." The fire inside and outside was gone. All that was left of Lucy was the flame of her soul, and in the flame was the shard of light. The shard of Lucy's soul that drummed with a heartbeat. I opened my palm letting it gently drop into my hand until I closed my fist, feeling it disappear. Lucy's heart grew stronger again and this time I can feel it getting intenser by the beat. I ran to Levy's side boosting her onto her feet when she wheezed. "Yep. Yep, a rib is broken for sure." Levy leaned over coughing. "I'm sorry Levy. Not only should that hit been for me, but now Gajeel is gonna kick my ass." Levy chuckled, which wasn't a good idea. "I'm sorry about that. If I don't pass out once we get back to EarthLand then maybe I can stop him in time." Levy summoned a portal back home with me basically holding up the Dark Knight when we stepped through it together.

Two soul shards down. Three to go.

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As always...love you all!❤️