Natsu pounded on the wall for what seemed the thousandth time, his voice raw from yelling. He had been placed in a small dusty cell, bars obstructing his escape plans. His energy had left him from the hours he'd attempted to return to his partner.

The reality of his situation sunk in as he slumped to the dusty floor. He was trapped, taken away from Lucy. He wanted to see her, to be sure she was alright. Natsu couldn't stop his brain from wondering the worst possible scenarios.

What if she was crying, or hurt. She could be dying this very minute! She could be calling his name, even his ears couldn't pick up any noise. The cage must be buried deep down if he could hear anything from the world above.

Pushing the terrible thoughts aside, he focused on the resources he had. Smelling soil beyond the stony walls, they were definitely underground. A faint sent of trees mixed with the waft of earth meant they had to be somewhere in a forest. Unfortunately that was all he could decipher at the moment.

Natsu gripped the metal poles, wishing he had the strength to bend them apart. He refused to cry, he wouldn't let the Witch to beat him.

Soft foot steps and a jingle of metal echoed from down the hall. Natsu pressed his face to the bars, peeking at what was coming. He didn't have the best view, but he knew exactly what it was. The smells of dirt, sweat and blood wafted from the quiet sound.

His grip tightened as hatred started to boil inside, all the odors above mingled with the weak fragrance of Lucy. Her actual sent had started to deteriorate! What had they done to her?! Natsu leaned far into the cell wall, urgently needing to see her condition.

His heart pounded, yearning in wait as the foot steps drew closer...and closer. After what seemed a lifetime two figures emerged into the light. The two ghosts advanced, void of life and emotionless. They dragged behind them a limp and lifeless pale form.

Unlocking the cell across from Natsu, the spirits stopped. His eyes widened shock as Lucy came into full view. She was utterly unconscious, bruised from head to toe and a large wound bled from her side. Lucy's bright hair was loose and knotted, covering her distressed face.

Natsu reached out of his prison to take her hand, trying to receive any signs of life. But the second before their skin made contact, she was pulled away. Tossed carelessly unto the hard flooring of a separate cage. Lucy's body slammed into the ground with a dreadful crash. Loose limbs sagged down with the sudden gravity pull. Laying face down, head in the dirt, her hair tossed around her shoulders. One arm beside her ear and the other sprawled out in an awkward angle. Her skin had lost its color, now covered with dark bruises.

Natsu waited for her to respond to the impact of being thrown. Perhaps to call out or complain about her harsh treatment. But she remained silent. Her entire existence laid motionless, zero signs of life. No subtle lifts and dips of breath, no twitching or coughing.

Lucy was perfectly still.

Natsu's suspended hand deflated, never having reached its target. His mind shockingly horrified, he couldn't move. Eyes fixed on Lucy, not leaving her for a second, because he might miss the slightest shiver. He begged for any sign of life, but all he saw was death.

The departing ghosts closed her gated door and locked it tightly. Natsu suddenly stood. "Let me see her."

Neither of them acknowledged his request and started to leave.

"No! Please!" Natsu repeated desperately. "I need to make sure she is alright."

One apparition halted and turned its sorrowed face towards him. Natsu continued. "Please, I love her."

With little emotion the phantom seemed to have taken pity on him, it unlocked Lucy's cell and opened the door. Then it turned around and unlatched Natsu's, giving him room to pass through.

Without hesitation Natsu ran to Lucy, not even caring how he could have easily escaped by himself. Sitting on the ground he gently lifted Lucy's head from the ground and turned her onto her back. Drawing her hair from her face he traced her cheek with a finger and placed his hand under her jaw line and waited. He took a deep breath, ready to feel a pulse.

There is was, a simple push against his fingers. Tears of relief leaked from his dark eyes, Lucy was alive.

Natsu looked back up to the dead soul who closed the door with a "click." This kind spirit had shown him compassion, a trait not usually know in enemies.

"Thank you."

A simple nod in agreement and the translucent man was gone.

Natsu turned his attention back to his partner, his love. Her skin was cold, yet she wasn't shivering. He took ahold of Lucy's arms and lifted her into his lap, cradling her injured frame. He hadn't realized how badly he craved to touch her, to feel her presence and soak up her sent.

Rubbing his thumb against her icy arm he rocked back and forth in an effort to wake her up gently. But mostly he was calming himself, trying his best not to burst into tears. He felt responsible. He was the reason Savina found Lucy and he wasn't strong enough to save her. He wasn't strong enough to save Igneel, the first Master or his friends. He them down. He had let Lucy down. She must be furious with him that he couldn't save her in time. Natsu was the reason Lucy had gotten hurt.

Small streams of tears fell down his cheeks, holding back a loud cry he sniffed and took deep breaths. There was no fighting his emotions as they exploded. Natsu shouted and yelled, bawling a deep sorrow as he clutched his abused love.