Hey you all! Sorry I haven't been uploading. I've been so busy the past month and had no inspiration. But finally I had some and decided to write! I'll try to write more but it won't be as much as I used to. But I'll try my best for you wonderful readers! Anyway, that's all! Thanks for all your support!

Now let's get started with the story!

Enjoy! ✌️

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The next few moments were a blur. Natsu grabbed his sword before taking my hand in his as we ran out the back door of the Inn. Natsu led me to the back alleyways behind the Inn and we headed towards the forest. We ran so fast, I could barely keep up with his fast pace, causing him to roughly pull on my hand. Happy flew quickly beside us, his little wings flapping fast as he glided through the air.

My feet hurt from all the running and I tripped,  my knees hitting the ground with a loud thud.

"Princess!"

"I'm alright," I said, while Natsu hurriedly helped me up. I looked down and noticed my inured knee bleeding through the bandage. The fall must have reopened the wound.

"Are you sure?" He asked, a worried look beginning to form on his face.

"Positive," I told him and brushed my torn nightgown, "Shouldn't we continue our escape? Sting and his men could catch up to us any moment."

"Right!" Natsu grabbed my hand and began to run slower, making sure I won't trip again. Happy flapping his little wings hurriedly beside us. Soon we came upon the forest at the edge of town. Branches scratched my face as we ran. Water poured down from the sky, as the heavy rain drenched us all. I could see the black dye, drip slowly from my now blonde colored hair.

I gasped, knowing I could be recognized as the Princess easier now. But I kept on following Natsu, determined to make sure Sting won't find us.

"I want you all to scatter around and look through this forest! I know the Princess is somewhere in here!" I heard Sting's dark voice order the guards.

I stopped abruptly. My heart racing from fear of being found.

I can't face him! Not after what he did!

"Princess! Let's go!" Natsu tugged on my arm, breaking me of my thoughts. So I continued to run by his side, hoping we won't be found.

I know this time in my heart, Sting won't let us go or show any mercy! We must not be caught!

"Natsu! Let's go this way!" Happy said, bringing me out of my thoughts. He pointed his right claw to the right, where a clearing was. "I think there's a trail over there that leads down the cliff, it might bring us to a cave we can hide in!"

"Great thinking, Happy," Natsu said, slowing down before turning towards the clearing. He looks over at me, "Don't worry, Princess, I'll make sure his men won't catch us."

I nodded, unable to say anything. I was too out of breath from all the running and fast paced walking.

Soon the clearing came into view and I could see a small path leading down the cliff. We all ran, while Happy flew, but as soon as we were about to reach it, a guard came into view and stopped us, pointing his sword towards our chests.

"Not another move!"

He smirked and looked right at me, "Well well well, if it isn't the spoiled brat, who calls herself a Princess. King Eucliff will be pleased I found you."

"Hmmm...you could call for him, " Natsu stepped foreword, placing a hand on my back to push me behind him, "But trust me when I say this: if you or any of the other soldiers try to lay a filth hand on her, you'll have to come through me."

The soldier snarled, "The king did say you were ruthless when it comes to combat, but..." He smirked and took a step forward, "There's what? Only one of you and ten of us, so tell me...do you really think you can protect your precious princess?"

Natsu snorted, "Only ten? Please, this will be like a warm up to a real battle. Bring it on!"

"What are you doing?" I whispered, "Don't make it worse! We need to try escaping!"

"I know that!" He whispered back, "Just trust me, Princess. I know what I'm doing."

"Getting him more riled up?" I said fearfully, still whispering, "I don't think that's exactly, 'I know what I'm doing,' kind of thing."

He rolled his eyes, "Just trust me, Princess."

"Lord Sting! I found them!" The guard yelled, "The Princess and the guard, Natsu Dragneel!"

"Princess, I need you to go with Happy and hide!" Natsu growled quietly, "I'll fight them off!"

"Bu-."

"GO!!!" He pushed me toward the path that led down the cliff, "Go Princess! It's for your protection! I'll be fine!"

"But there's ten of them and only one of you!"

"Like I said, it's nothing. Now go!"

"Come on, Lushie!" Happy flapped his wings once the guard looked the other way, "Natsu wi be fine. He's strong and will likely beat them off with his magic!"

Before I could answer, I was pushed towards the path, while stumbling down behind a flying Happy. I looked behind me and saw Natsu, getting into battle stance to fight off the soldiers and Sting.

"Come on, Lushie!" Happy squeaked, guiding me to the cave under the cliff. I reluctantly followed him inside before clambering onto the hard ground and sitting down.

I could hear footsteps above us from the clearing on the cliff. An angry voice yelled, signaling Sting's entrance.

"WHERE IS SHE?!!!" He yelled, aggravation clear in his voice.

"Where is who?" I heard Natsu cockily remark back, no fear shown in his voice.

"You know exactly who, Dragneel," Sting spat out, "The Princess!"

"As if I'd tell you." The fire dragon slayer replied, "You'll have to fight me first."

"That I can do," I heard Sting reply before un-shielding his sword.

Soon, the sound of clinking swords were heard above us. I closed my eyes, hoping the turn out will be in our favor. The thought of Natsu getting injured or worse, killed, was too much to bare.

Please please, don't die on me! I-I don't know what I-I'd do!

"Argh!!!" I heard the slashing of a sword against skin and the cry of a man being injured. But my whole body turned cold when I recognized the voice. It wasn't Sting's...it was... Natsu's!

"Pathetic!" I heard Sting sneer from above us, "You really thought you could beat all ten of us?"

"I s...still c...can..." Natsu panted, "I've d...done i...it b...before..."

The soldiers laughed.

"Let's see you try while your down on your knees." Sting said, laughing along. "Or better yet, how about I stop your misery and cut that cocky head off your shoulders? What do you say, men?"

"Yeah!" They all guffawed loudly, clapping their hands.

Happy and I cried at the same time, "NO!"

"Did you hear that?" Sting asked, stopping his laugh.

My feet stood up on their own. Without even thinking, I ran back up the short path and towards the clearing. Hurling myself forward, I leaned in front of Natsu, landing on my knees. The look of surprise on the men's faces was nothing compared to Sting's smile of glory. "Please don't kill him!"

"Well well well, we finally meet again, Princess."

"What do you think your doing?" Natsu said angrily, his voice strained from the pain, "I told you to stay hidden!"

His right hand was holding the wound on his chest tightly. My eyes widened at how close the cut was to his heart.

"I couldn't just leave you to die!" I said looking at him, tears falling down my face, "Not after everything you've done for me."

I turned back to Sting, "Please don't hurt him more! I'll go with you, just don't harm him again!"

The man I thought I loved narrowed his eyes in thought while looking down at us, "Hmmm...I do like the idea. And even if I leave the stupid pink haired guard alone, he'll still die alone from his wound. And to make it even better, I'll have the Princess." A grin made it's way to Sting's lips, "Yes, Princess,  think I'll take that offer."

I gulped as his menacing eyes landed on me. The man I once knew was gone. His eyes were black and dark, not an ounce of good or kindness could be seen.

"No!" Natsu faintly cried, when a guard pulled me up. I watched in horror as my pink haired guard drove forward, slashing the guard who held me straight through the heart, "I told you I won't let you lay a finger on her!"

Sting was in rage, "Kill him!"

A guard waved his sword, almost striking Natsu on the neck.

"Natsu!" I ran forward and jumped in front, light zapping out of my hand. My feet lifted off the ground and I felt warm inside. Gasps of shock could be heard around me and I looked up, noticing light form from below and above me.

Is this m-magic? But h-how! I-don't have any p-powers!

Before I could think about it again, the light dimmed and fell to my feet. The guard who was going to strike Natsu, fell, but not before he cut my abdomen.

"Princess/Lushie!" I heard the cries of Natsu and Happy. Pain tore through me and I screamed, unable to bare what happened. My head felt dizzy and I knew I would faint anytime soon.

Trying to keep my eyes open, I looked up and noticed we were at the edge of the cliff. A thought came into my mind and I shook my head, knowing it was dangerous but the only way out.

"N...Natsu, h...hold m...my h...hand...." I held out my right hand towards him, holding the wound with my left.

"P...princess, w...what?"

"J...just d..do i...it."

Natsu firmly took my hand in his and I grasped it tightly. I looked up at Happy, "Happy, you know what to do."

Before he could say anything, I leaned back and closed my eyes. Natsu doing the same. Taking a deep breath, I let myself fall. Wind blew as we fell off the cliff, the pain from the wound causing me to lose my consciousnesses. The last thing I heard was Sting's cry, "No!"

Even though we lost consciousness, Natsu's grip on my hand didn't loosen.

-•-•-•-

Hope you enjoyed! I made sure to make it long for you all as a gift for waiting for so long! I know I took a while, but hey at least I got a chapter done! I can't promise when I'll make another one because I'm really busy at the moment and can only write when I have inspiration or in the mood to write.

But I'll still try to update soon! The next chapters are really exciting and will show more of Lucy's and Natsu's adventures! So see you then! <3

Bye for now and stay safe! ✌️❤️

Date published: June 19, 2020
Word count: 1723