The Dragon Slayer's Treasure

To Wake a Sleeping Dragon

Lucy stumbled to a stop outside the wizard healer Lady Porlyusica's cottage. She was breathing heavily and holding a stitch in her side. Get out all of you! You loud, ridiculous human idiots! Lucy heard Lady Porlyusica yell at the group of Fairy Tail wizards. They all complained to her and stomped out of the small cottage.

The door was slammed behind them. Lucy you found us awesome! Gray said as he pulled his arm away from Juvia. Um Natsu the great idiot ran head first into the battle without using his brain again, Gray sighed. We had to bring him here. This time he went and really did a number on himself the Pyro fool.

Lady Porlyusica should have him back on his feet and back to his annoying self in an hour or two, Gray said. Oh that's good news! Lucy exclaimed! The bad feeling she had didn't go away even after Gray's news. She just had a gut feeling something wasn't right.

Lucy headed for the door to the cottage with a set purpose. Too make sure that reckless fireball of a friend of hers was ok. She's not going to let you in Lucy. Gray said with a small frown. That grouchy woman needs to work on her social skills, Gray whispered to Lucy. I heard that you annoying ice mage. Go home! Porlyusica yelled back at him. Lucy giggled at him. He just glared at her and rolled his eyes.

Lucy come in my dear, Porlyusica said with a warm smile. What! No fair! Gray said. How do you get to go in but she kicks everyone else out? Shrugging her shoulder's Lucy grinned. Bye Gray she said with a smirk.

Walking past Gray Lucy walked into the small cottage and shut the door behind her. Her smile instantly vanished and what she saw had her stop dead in her tracks. Oh my God! Why did I have to be right! Lucy exclaimed. Something is really wrong with Natsu!

Two separate things keep our young wizard in an unconscious state. Lady Porlyusica stated. One, he was hit directly by the blast from the bomb that idiot used to detonate himself. Two, the assassin throw some kind of poisoned powder substance at our young mage which I have not seen in over twenty years.

It may take some time but I am slowly pulling the poison from him. I fear it is also laced with dark magic. It may take a bit longer than young Gray thinks to get Natsu back on his feet. Porlyusica said with a deep sigh.

Lucy stood by Natsu and glanced down at him with panic in her eyes. Porlyusica had removed all his clothes and was washing him with clean linens removing all traces of the powder. Lucy he needs you to be strong for him right now, Porlyusica said softly.

Lucy pulled up a hard back chair and sat by Natsu's bedside. Covered by a white sheet Natsu was as still as death. Lucy took his hand and was shocked to find it cold. Natsu is never cold, Lucy cried! Why is he cold? She asked Porlyusica with panic in her raised voice. Lucy went to fetch a thick blanket from a nearby chair. She carefully covered Natsu tucking it in on the sides.

It's because of the dark magic my dear. Porlyusica told her. Hot tears streamed down Lucy's face and she began to shake. Porlyusica handed her some hot tea. Drink this herbal tea my dear it will help sooth your nerves. Lucy didn't even look at what it consisted of as she downed the flavored concoction. Immediately she felt herself start to relax.

With huge eyes Lucy watched as Porlyusica pulled the poison laced with some sort of dark magic out of Natsu using a red garnet crystal stone amulet. Before long the amulet had turned completely black. I'll go fetch another Porlyusica said.

Three hours later Natsu was no longer still as death. He was shaking all over and his breathing was labored and uneven. Lucy pulled the blankets tighter around him still holding onto his cold hand. Her own hand bringing only trace amounts of heat into his.

The sun set an hour ago my child. You should think about going home for the night to rest. This has been an eventful day for you. Porlyusica added softly. I probably should go yes mam, but if it's not too much trouble I would rather stay with Natsu until he wakes up, Lucy whispered. I thought you would say that, Porlyusica said with the hint of a smile.