Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 22

Bickslow Vs. Lucy

Winner: Lucy

That was the last thing Natsu saw on the Fairy Tail report stationed at the entrance of the guild hall. As soon as Levy used her Script magic to rewrite the final rune which had overwritten Freed's previous rules within the enchantment.

He wasted no time.

He dashed off, leaving Gajeel and Levy staring after him as he followed the scent of Lucy and blood. It didn't take long, he made it to her in ten minutes flat, and the sight that awaited him was bittersweet. Lucy was safe, she sat in an alley between two buildings, resting against a brickwall -- cuts and bruises littered her body. Next to her was Happy, who looked just as tuckered out as she was.

"Natsu!" Happy cried, running towards him. The dragon slayer let out a shaky sigh, bending down to gather the whimpering exceed in his arms before he slowly made his way towards Lucy.

She smiled tiredly at the sight of both of them, exhausted but satisfied with the battle she fought alongside Loki. She didn't protest when Natsu pulled her into his arms too -- actually, she felt so relieved that she melted against him. All the tension in her body just vanished. Squished between them was Happy, who looked all too content being snuggled between his two favourite people.

"Don't do that again," Natsu grumbled.

"But hey, I did it, didn't I?" Lucy said with a smile. Natsu rolled eyes, pulling away from her. He looked her up and down, frowning, taking in her injuries for himself. Lucy placed a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her in the eyes. "Don't worry, I'm fine, just a few scratches," she assured him. Natsu took a deep breath and nodded, trusting her words.

Happy had flown off while the two were talking, returning with a tattered brown cloth, wrapping it around Lucy.

The three of them sat together in silence, comforted by each other's presence. Happy had curled up in the makeshift blanket with Lucy, who leaned on Natsu. The dragon slayer preoccupied himself with covering the two of them with his scent, growing slightly irritated at how Loki's scent was seemingly entwined with Lucy's. He nuzzled his face into the crown of her head for a minute until he was satisfied. Then, suddenly, Lucy tilted her head up and touched her nose with his before snuggling into him even further.

Natsu had frozen, his ears turning pink. He couldn't even describe the emotions running through him, but deep down, he had known Lucy had no idea what she'd done. Still, his ears always managed to betray him.

"Natsu's blushing, look at his ears!"

Lucy's eyebrows shot up, brushing the pink hair away from his ear, giggling uncontrollably. Under the eyes of scrutiny, Natsu pouted slightly, turning away from the both of them, but couldn't stop the smile that tugged at his lips.

"Sorry Natsu, I didn't mean to make fun of you," the blonde squeezed out from her laughter, "you're just cute." She mumbled, stroking Happy's fur.

Natsu perked up significantly, opening his mouth to respond to her until he felt a specific energy. He could faintly hear the footsteps running in the direction of the cathedral, and felt magic power building within the church. He stood up abruptly, head turned in the direction he presumed Laxus was in, as he picked up the sound of Erza's voice.

"Natsu, Gajeel, if you can hear me, Laxus is in the cathedral, get there now,"

His ears twitched and he frowned deeply. Lucy tugged on his sleeve, a questioning look in her eyes, with Happy asleep in her arms. It pained him to have to walk away from her and leave her on her own, but he knew if he wanted this madness to stop, he'd have to put Laxus in the ground to keep Lucy safe.

"Rest here for a while, I need to go," Natsu said quietly.

Lucy pursed her lips, reaching her free arm towards Natsu. Luckily, he took the hint, bending down and bringing her in for one last hug.

"Do what you have to do, just come back safe, okay?" She whispered in his ear, rubbing her cheek against his subtly. Natsu grinned; he knew what she was doing. She was trying to mix their scents like he always does. He let a short rumble of approval travel through his chest, setting her down gently as she succumbed to sleep.

Still, it was hard to walk away from her. It always was, but he knew Lucy was strong. Maybe even stronger than him.

-----

Natsu arrived just in time to see Erza electrocuted by the likes of Laxus.

"C'mon, wipe that stupid look off your face and let's go!" Laxus chuckled, relishing in the screams that tore themselves from Erza's throat. In an instant, flames engulfed Natsu, raising the temperature of the church as he struggled to reign in his anger.

"Oh, Natsu, when did you get here?" Laxus smirked lazily.

The dragon slayer didn't bother to give him a response. He flew at Laxus, a fist ignited with his flames, only to have his hit blocked by Laxus. He twisted his body, aiming a kick for the blonde's head -- wasting no time in wanting to give Laxus the beat down of his life.

Lucy. Happy. Erza. Gramps. Gray. Everyone.

Natsu thought of everyone who had been hurt, deceived, and affected by the events of this pointless tournament Laxus had created. He let his anger fuel him -- push him past his limits. There was no doubt about it. He had to win this fight.

For Fairy Tail.

Natsu couldn't deny Laxus' prowess as a wizard. They traded blows, going hit-for-hit because Natsu would be damned if he wasn't the last one standing, not when he had Lucy waiting for him.

To be continued...