The Princess and the Commoner

Chapter 9: Healing Hearts

Romeo looked at Erza in fear and put his hands in front of him to offer a pathetic shield, 

"When I fell of the cliff, someone was there and treated my wounds. But they also did something else to me...they took some of my memories. I only started remembering you when I saw Natsu." Erza's face went from rage to compassion and she hugged Romeo again.

"Good answer Romeo. Now," Erza looked at Natsu with a grave look in her eyes, "We need to get Natsu somewhere safe so we can tend to his wounds." Gray nodded and picked up Natsu. 

"Let's go to the next town over. It's closer than Fiore." Erza nodded and the group headed towards Bosco. On the border of Bosco, someone was awaiting the group of mages, 

"You sneaky dragon...Don't worry, I'll get you back to your cage..."

Natsu groaned and opened his eyes groggily. He looked around and saw that he was in a cave with bandages covering most of his body. He glanced over and saw a bunch of mages of Fairy Tail and even Lucy was there. Natsu tried standing up but cried out in pain. He looked at the mages nervously, worried he would wake them up. He tried standing up again but someone put their hand on his shoulder, 

"You should rest Natsu. You're in bad shape..." Natsu looked up and saw Gray standing above him. He tried backing away from Gray but bumped into the wall. Natsu looked warily at Gray, when he noticed something in his eyes...they had a hint of hate and evil in them, 

"Gray? Are you alright?" Gray laughed slightly and looked at Natsu with golden eyes, 

"It's time I take you back to your cage little dragon..." Natsu's eyes widened in fear and he aimed his hand at Gray, "I wouldn't do that if I were you little dragon. You'll seriously hurt your friend if you use your magic on me." Natsu looked his enemy in the eyes and slowly put his hand down, 

"Ice make lance!" Natsu cried out in pain which made everyone in the cave wake up immediately. Natsu looked over and saw Erza with a sword in her hand, 

"Gray?! What are you doing?!" Gray looked at Erza with his golden eyes and she gasped, 

"I'm taking this foolish dragon back to my master...he was sneaky enough to escape and save you Titania, but he won't be able to do it a second time..." Erza looked at Natsu who had a pained expression on his face, 

"If you want me...then you can have me. Just leave Natsu here." Natsu growled and stood up on shaking legs, 

"NO! He'll kill you Erza. And anyway," Natsu looked Erza in the eye, "There's no escape for us now-" Natsu let out a sharp hiss of breath and he held his head. 

"What are you doing to him?!" Gray laughed and pointed at Natsu which earned a painful groan from Natsu. Then Gray snapped and Natsu fell in a heap on the ground. 

"Natsu!" Gray laughed and picked Natsu up by the throat and disappeared. When he reappeared, he was in front of Erza, holding her red hair in his hand, 

"You and the little dragon are coming with me Titania..." Gray laughed menacingly and all three wizards disappeared. Lucy walked to the mouth of the cave and let her tears pour out freely, 

"Why do they keep taking my friends away...BRING THEM BACK!"Lucy cried out to the sky and looked in the direction of the Tartaros kingdom, 

"I'll get them back! Even if I die trying, I'll save all of you..."

~*~

When the three mages got back to the castle, Zeref undid his spell on Gray and he dropped Natsu on the ground. But Erza stood up and looked at Gray who was now back to normal. 

"Guards, grab the extras..." soldiers with black armor came from all directions and grabbed Gray and Erza before they could do anything and put magic cancelers on them so they couldn't use their magic. Gray pulled against his chains and looked frantically at Natsu who was still unconscious on the ground, 

"What did you do to him?!" Zeref laughed and stood up from his throne, 

"I put a poison in his body that will keep him sleeping until I feel it fit for him to awaken." Gray looked at Zeref in disbelief. The black wizard waved his hand away and turned his back on the mages, 

"Take them to their cells. But make sure to keep Natsu in a separate one."

"Yes sir!" The soldiers started dragging Natsu, Gray, and Erza away. Further into the dark castle. When they got to the cells, the soldiers chained Gray and Erza against one wall and Natsu on the wall opposite them. When the guards left Erza nudged Natsu's foot, in an attempt to try to wake him up. 

"Natsu...please you need to wake up." Natsu slowly looked up at Erza. It looked like he was seriously struggling to stay consious. "Are you ok Natsu?" Natsu coughed up blood and had a slight smile on his face, 

"Sure thing...never b-been better..." Erza smiled. And Gray just looked at Natsu with a sad look, 

"Look...I didn't me-"

"I know..." Natsu looked up at Gray and grinned, "I could tell." Gray smiled but looked back up at Natsu with a confused face, 

"Zeref said that he put poison in your body that would keep you from waking up." Natsu looked at the ground and shook his head, 

"I don't know why, but...he gave me my memories back..." Gray took a quick inhale of breath, 

"Are you serious?!" Natsu nodded his head but he seemed to be moving slower than he was before. 

"Natsu?" He coughed blood again and Erza was starting to get worried about him, 

"Sorry g-guys...I can't keep t-this up..." Natsu went completely limp and Erza and Gray started to panic, 

"Natsu!? Don't you dare die flame for brains!" Zeref walked up to their cage and grinned through the darkness, 

"He's trying to reject it...but it will soon take over his body and devour his soul. Be prepared for evil Natsu. And you need to be ready for tomorrow too Fairy Tail mages...I'm going to make you just as Natsu is trying so hard not to become...an evil version of himself, and the destroyer of your pathetic guild." Erza gasped and looked up at Zeref, 

"You're going to make us evil?!" Zeref laughed, 

"You three are going to be an amazing addition to my collection of war pawns." Zeref laughed manically and walked away from the cage, 

"No..."