On Thin Ice (Fairy Tail fanfic)

Chapter 3

As they arrive at the exit of the station, they are greeted by the wind barrier. While Erza tends to the wounds of Kageyama, the others discuss the situation at hand.

"So Erigor's objective was the regular meeting?" Lucy asks, shocked and terrified.

"The old man!" Natsu shouts in worry.

"Erigor blocked the only route to Clover, and is heading there by air." Erza says, finishing the bandages.

"It'd be possible to catch up to him in a magic 4 wheeler, but if we don't do something about this magic wind wall, we can't leave the station!" Gray concludes.

"And forcing our way out surely isn't a great idea." Heather mutters, glaring at the barrier.

"But..." Lucy starts, but was cut off by Natsu's raging roar as he punches the wind barrier, only to be deflected by it. A terrified Lucy looks at Natsu, not wanting to end up like the man slouched on the floor with some scratches, while Gray just sighs disappointingly. "If we try and escape outside, that's what happens."

Heather clicks her tongue, a bit annoyed. "Like I said, forcing your way out still won't change a thing."

"Kage, I'm begging you! Lend us your power!" Erza begs the unconscious man while Natsu still continues to rage on and beat the wall until an opening appears despite the words of Heather and Gray.

"Damn it!" Natsu curses, both his hands engulfed in flame. "I'll tear this wall to shreds!" He starts punching and kicking the wall, but it still doesn't work. He only gets blown away by the barrier with more scratches on his body.

"Idiot. Force isn't going to help." Gray grumbles.

Heather grunts lightly as she forces herself off the wall she had been leaning on. She walks towards Natsu. She kneels beside the determined lad. "Natsu, try it." Heather says.

"Huh?"

"Try forcing yourself out." Heather encourages Natsu with a blank face.

Natsu stands, annoyed already. "That's what I've been doing!" He shouts, charging at the barrier through his shoulders. Heather simply watches and observes him as he forces his body beyond its limits.

"Stop that already! You're going to smash yourself into pieces!" Lucy shouts at the reckless boy.

"Kuso! What should we do?" Erza curses, running out of options.

Lucy catches Natsu as he falls and restrains him from charging once again. Heather stands and strides towards him.

"Do you get it now, Natsu?" Heather asks, tilting her said to the side. "If I couldn't have forced my way, then I don't think even you would be able to. Just accept the fact that force isn't always the answer and drill that into your thick skull." Heather lectures the stubborn mage.

Natsu glares at Heather, still wanting to force his way out, when he suddenly remembers something. Heather looks at him questioningly, wondering what's going on in his head. He turns to look at Lucy, and she jerks her head a bit from the sudden closeness, a slight blush spreading on her cheeks. Natsu breaks free from Lucy's arms and a new light of hope appears in his eyes.

"That's it! Spirits!" Natsu grins, finding a new option for them.

"Spirits, huh...?" Heather mumbles and looks at Happy. She beckons him over and Happy walks towards him together with Wilfred.

"What is it, Heather?" Happy asks, looking up at her. Heather crouches beside him.

"Hey, I heard from Wilfred that he saw a key on you." Heather says then points at Lucy. "Don't you think she'll need that?"