polar opposites

three.

Natlynn woke up with a groan and an pounding headache but when she went to touch her head, she realized she couldn't move her arms. She looked down to see she was bound to a chair by magic sealing stone on her hands and ankles. She looked around to see she was in a unknown basement, the pipes creaking and water dripping down. "Where the fuck am I?" She whispered to herself. She snapped her head when she heard the door creaking open.

Natsu stepped inside seeing her glare harden at him, "You're awkae? How do you feel?" He asked.

"Like I was knocked across the head by a fucking cat." Natlynn growled. "Where the hell am I?"

"Fairy Tail's basement. We brought you back so Mest and the council can take you to prison." Natsu answers honestly, the girl laughing dryly and throwing her head back. He observed her while he had the chance, "You're not really a bad person, are you?"

Natlynn snapped her head towards him in bewilderment, "What?" Natsu sighed, walking up to her and crouching in front of her.

"What if I can get you out of prison time?"

——————

Mest, Makarov and the rest of Fairy Tail stood up as Natsu brought Natlynn upstairs. She glanced around at the members of the guild and the rune knights awaiting her. Mest's glare hardened as a smirk came onto her lips. "Natlynn Jack, I won't even bother to name out all of the crimes you've done." Mest starts, "But just know you'll be in for a very very long time."

Natlynn shrugged her shoulders, "We'll see about that."

Mest grabbed her by her forearm, starting to drag her away with them. Lucy watched her and her eyes scrunched in confusion. She felt so familiar but not at the same time; she knew her from somewhere but couldn't put her finger on it. Her eyes looked down at her neck, her eyes widening; she was wearing a "H" necklace the same one her father gifted her when she turned when she was 13. The two connected eyes for a split moment before Natlynn ripped her head away.

"Wait!"

Everyone turned around to see Natsu holding his hand out. He sighed softly before looking at the brunette in her eye, "I think she should stay here." Silence followed for a moment as they stared at him like he had grown two heads.

"I'm sorry? What?" Gray says, "Did you lose the little brain cells you did have?"

Natsu glared at the ice wizard before making his way over to Natlynn. "I don't know why but a part of me feels like you're not as bad as everyone makes you seem. I think—I think you deserve another chance." Natsu says firmly, looking the shocked girl in her eye.

Natlynn was taken aback by his words; no one had ever thought she was a good person nor fought for her to be free. "Please, you barely know me." She retorted.

"I could tell by your body language at the party. You try to perceive yourself as strong, cocky and powerful, which you probably are, but it's deeper than that. You're just playing the role given to you. That's why your eyes have no life in them."

The guild was shocked at how fast he analyzed her that good in the short time that he spoke to her. And at the fact that Natsu of all people was smart enough for that explanation. Natlynn's eyes softened at his words but she quickly snapped back at Mest's tight grip. "Even so, she's a criminal. I'm sorry Natsu, but we can't let her roam free." He brushed off.

"She can join Fairy Tail." Makarov spoke up, everyone snapping their heads to him. "She can be under my strict watch and sleep upstairs in the guest bedrooms. Freed will set up an enchantment that wouldn't allow her to leave Magnolia without my permission. And even then, she will be accompanied by a team containing an S-Class mage."