Angel Rising*

10. Celestial Heart

Natsu POV: 

As I rushed to Kelta with a fatally injured Lucy I cried, I knew I was being weak and needed to be strong right now, but the tears wouldn't stop. I have never felt this awful, except for one other time. That was when Future Lucy died. I don't remember how long it took me to run to the town, because I was so deep in panic. I screamed to the town yelling for their doctor immediately. Everyone just stared at me until I screamed for them to stop staring and go get a damn doctor, then they got their asses into gear. As soon as the doctor was seen running towards us my knees gave out and fell, I kept Lucy secure in my arms. I felt horrible I was shaking and crying and now I my knees had given out, I was a mess to say the least. 

The doctor rushed Lucy to his clinic with the help of nurses. He told me that she was in such terrible condition that their attempts to save her would take hours. The worst part about waiting was I couldn't even be with her and hold her hand, I couldn't even see her until her surgery were completely done. The exceed was in worse shape they said and weren't sure if it was going to make it. I felt sad that Lucy might lose a friend but I was too worried about Lucy to really think about it. 

My stomach was in knots, my hands holding my head as tears streamed down my face, and my body was shaking uncontrollably. I was still in the same shape when Gray and Erza came in after having checked in the elderly woman. Wendy couldn't be missing as worst time, before we left she had been over at Lamia Scale visiting Chelia again. As I cried Erza hugged my side and Gray had a hand on my shoulder, they were upset too, but they also knew how much Lucy meant to me. 

It wasn't until 7 hours later that we finally heard from the doctors on Lucy's condition. He told us that she would have indeed died if I hadn't rushed her here immediately. This broke my heart too, if I hadn't found Lucy when I did she would have died within minutes, the doctor said she was fading fast when I found her. If I hadn't found her Lucy would be dead and alone,  we would have never seen her beautiful smile again. This news was good but the thought of what could've happened shook me to the core.

After the doctor was finished telling us about her condition he mentioned that her wings would take over 3 months to fully recover and that she should be easy and patient with them or recovery would take even longer. Of course this entire sentence was shocking to all of us, what did he mean wings? Since when did Lucy have wings? Wait....were those fluffy and damp things on Lucy's back...wings...?  He also told us we could visit her, but she would still be unconscious for a while. 

Erza, Gray and I looked at each other and then we walked into Lucy's room. I was first of course, as soon as I entered the room I was sitting beside Lucy's side and grasping her right hand. As I looked at Lucy she looked so angelic and at peace, not bloodied and bruised. You could still see bruising on her arms, specifically her wrists and forearms, but more or less she looked just like our Lucy. The wings the doctor was talking about were no where to be seen, no feathers nor large wings, which was a bit puzzling but I didn't care at the moment. All I cared about was knowing Luce was going to be okay soon. Erza sat beside me comforting both the sleeping Lucy and I, Gray left the room to get air. He was having difficulties believing all this too. And Happy was cuddled around Lucy's stomach, barely touching her for fear he would hurt her more. 

Lucy POV:

I felt perfectly fine, besides the fact that I was completely in the dark or maybe I just been injured so bad now I was blind. Oh my god WHAT IF I AM BLIND!! NO!! I CANNOT ACCEPT THAT!! I was freaking out and grabbing around my settings for something a sign for who knows what. I was freaking out not only about being blind but I had always hated the dark, its scared me more than anything else. I felt like I was going to start crying, then I heard shuffling from the left of me. I called out

 "HELLO IS ANYONE OUT THERE?! PLEASE I HATE THE DARK I'M SCARED!"  

I started screaming, it echoed I continued to call out and scream. When all seemed out I started balling and whispering "mom mom mom I really need your help I'm terrified I don't want to die yet." 

I was still cry when I felt a new presence, something so soft, so warm, so familiar, it was the touch of a mother. I looked up, there wasn't darkness anymore, no instead there were golden fields and a beautiful woman I knew all to way in front of me. Before me stood my mother, I cried tears of happiness and jumped up to hug her. I hugged her so tight, she hugged back just as tight and in her sweet voice she told me 

"My dearest Lucy, I have missed you, I have missed you so much my beautiful daughter."

"Mom I've missed you more than you can even imagine, I missed you so much." 

"My daughter you called me in a time of need there is no force that can keep a mother away from her child when they need her, not even the gods or death could do such a things."

"I'm so glad I got to see you mom, I was so scared everything was so dark and I was completely alone. I didn't know what to do..."

"Honey you should know, you are never alone, for I am always here in your heart. Our time is short Lucy, you must go back home to your new family and I back to the golden fields."

I cried even harder, I had finally gotten to see my mother again and she was leaving me again, I hated the feeling. I sobbed she smiled at me and held my hands together with hers. 

"Lucy before I go you must know something, I know I taught you to always hide your wings, but I believe you must tell your friends the truth, the whole truth. I approve don't worry Natsu's a wild child, but he's a good man and he'll treat you right."

My face was on fire, I can't believe my mothers spirit just told me she approved of Natsu and I. I felt so embarrassed now. 

"Lucy you need your friends strength more than ever now, because you are about to face a foe far greater than any you have before. The wolf man doesn't compare, be careful my daughter you have so much time left, so much life yet ti live. I won't forgive you if we meet again in these golden fields before your destined time, you better be grey and wrinkled." She kissed my forehead with her celestial body and whispered to me her final words " I love you my dearest Lucy, now and forever."

That was the last time I saw my mother, although I felt her presence there, watching over and guiding me. I smiled through the tears as mom's body and touch faded from me, as her body disappeared I whispered "I love you mom and thank you for everything." 

I took a deep breath and wiped the tears away. The next thing I knew I was awake with Natsu beside me sleeping in a crappy hospital chair.