Finished - April 7, 2020

Word Count - 1682

Music - Normally the linked music is the song I listen to while writing the shorts. None this time, if you like the soundtracks please let me know! It's nice to know who uses them and who doesn't. Thanks!

Summary:
Spoilers for Chapter 503, but slightly different. Natsu and Lucy have been taken captive by a member of the Spriggan Twelve. A version of what might happen if Natsu woke up before Lucy.

**********************************

Natsu's chest ached immensely, simply shifting his position hurt. The last thing he remembered was passing out in the middle of a fight. Pathetically, he hadn't even fought! Instead he left Lucy alone to fight someone who was much more powerful.

Where was Lucy? Was she alright? Had she won? Had she lost?!

He opened his eyes, surprised by the lack of light and could see easily in the dim room. Directly in front of him was Lucy, she looked to be unconscious. She appeared beaten, but no more than usual.

Natsu let out a sigh of relief, until he realized the predicament they were both in. Lucy was restrained to a chair, bound hand and foot by sealing stone. Natsu, similarly was tied by ropes across his chest and locked up tightly. This could get ugly.

He pulled against the restraints, but found he could not loose himself. Plus his excess movement aggravated the pain in his chest, must be his tumor that Brandi had enlarged. Natsu cursed at himself, how could he let something as silly as a tumor get the best of him. Especially now! Especially when Lucy's safety was at stake.

He suddenly heard footsteps coming closer from behind him. The loud rattling of his chains probably drew the attention of their captor. Natsu could only turn his head so much and couldn't see the woman until she was in front of him.

He didn't recognize this person at all, causing much confusion in his freshly woken mind. However, Natsu could sense immense power from her. She held her head with confidence and peered down at her prisoners.

Natsu was about to speak when she turned her back to him, as if she was ignoring him all together. She focused fully upon Lucy and walked towards her. This angered Natsu greatly, not simply because he was being disregarded, but because she focused wickedly on Lucy.

"Get away from her." Natsu growled angrily.

The woman turned her head and smirked. "Sorry boy, you are none of my concern. This woman killed her..."

Natsu's heart stopped, making his chest ache more. Lucy killed someone?

"She killed my Randi!" The woman's dust blonde hair covered her eyes evil intent.

"Randi?" Natsu didn't believe this. Lucy couldn't have killed anyone, especially Randi! Lucy had made friends with her. Even though they started a fight, Natsu refused to believe she actually murdered her.

The woman turned Lucy's chin up in a firm grip. "What hell shall I inflict upon her first, hmm..."

"Don't you dare touch her!" Natsu pulled roughly on his his tied wrists, not allowing him to move any further than he already was.

The woman stopped and watched Natsu's reaction, her expression altered to a much more devious smirk. She dropped Lucy's chin, making her head flop back down to her chest. The strange woman clicked her teeth together and suddenly appeared in front of Natsu's face.

"What is your name?" She demanded.

"Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail." Natsu answered proudly.

"Well, Natsu of Fairy Tail. I am Dimaria of the Spriggan Twelve."

"And? I don't care who you are!" Natsu spat back.

"I just wanted to tell you who is going to kill this woman you seem to care so much about." Dimaria grinned madly.

"I still don't care. Because that is not going to happen!" On the inside, Natsu started to panic. Because he knew he couldn't escape his bonds, he had no way of protecting Lucy.

"Fine by me." Dimaria waved her hand and turned around, leaving him for Lucy again.

Natsu pulled aggressively against his restraints, so much that he could feel blood trickle down his fingertips. However this didn't stop him, it only made him struggle more.

"She took my Brandish and broke her. It's her fault Randi is dead!"

"What on earth could she have done?!" Natsu was stalling at this point, but was also genuinely curious.

Dimaria didn't take her eyes off Lucy. "She turned Brandish against me. Because of this woman, Randi lied to me! She ruined her and she's going to pay dearly for it."

Even in this odd situation, Natsu couldn't help but feel relieved. Lucy hadn't actually killed anyone, he knew she didn't! He trusted her more than anyone, he knew she would never. However, this nice feeling didn't last long. Because Dimaria pulled out a large dagger from the side of her thigh and held it just above Lucy's head.

Natsu's breath deepened and his palms gripped themselves, slippery with sweat and blood from his cuffed wrists. His teeth were clenched so tightly, he thought they might break.

"She is very pretty." Dimaria addressed Natsu and turned, so he could see Lucy's unconscious figure. However, Natsu's eyes did not leave the threatening woman. Dimaria sighed and flipped her knife around quickly. "Let's fix that."

"No!" Natsu yelled in protest, but in reality, he was in no position to do so.

Dimaria slashed her striped knife down upon Lucy's thigh, she woke with a start and exclaimed loudly at the pain. Lucy was awake, her muscles clenched tightly and chest rose and fell rapidly, managing her new injury.

Lucy found her bearings and observed their situation, but Natsu couldn't tare his eyes off the large gash on Lucy's left leg.

"You killed Brandi!" Lucy snapped at Dimaria.

In response, she clicked her teeth and teleported on top of Lucy's chair and stared directly into her eyes. "You are to blame for Randi's death."

"You are the one who drove your blade into her stomach!" Lucy argued back.

"Unfortunately, your death won't be so quick. Little girl!!!"

Lucy stayed silent, simply observing and taking in her situation. She couldn't summon any of her spirits or any of her dresses. She was stuck to a chair with no where to go. Meanwhile, Natsu hadn't stopped trying to escape. For he knew if he didn't break his bonds, Lucy would pay the price. He could not allow himself to loose her twice. Not again.

He was barely paying attention to their conversation, but he was instantly brought back when Lucy called out his name. His gaze zoned in on the two women in front of him. Natsu couldn't see exactly what was happening, because Dimaria was blocking Lucy's upper body completely. But he saw that Dimaria had her arm raised in the air just above Lucy's head. The large Knife gripped tightly in hand, ready to plunge down upon Lucy.

The arm descended sharply, a grotesque noise echoed around the room as the smell of blood filled Natsu's nostrils. He felt a pang ricochet through his body as anger raged with in him. The softest noise of Lucy's blood dripping unto the floor rang loudly in his ears.

He could feel an immense power growing inside of him. He was so incredibly furious that he was starting to go blind, almost as if he was loosing control and something else was taking over.

All at once, everything was silenced. Natsu's ears deafened and all hell broke loose. He ripped his arms from his restraints, shattering the wooden chair beneath him. Yet all these actions were quiet, as if someone set the word to mute.

Dimaria spun around and saw what she had created, a look of horror came upon her features. She said something, but no words came from her mouth. Natsu didn't care what she was saying anyway, this was the woman who hurt Lucy. He would END her.

Everything was a red blur, he didn't even comprehend what he was doing. All he could see were flames and all he could think about was Lucy.

The body underneath him finally stopped resisting and Natsu subconsciously ceased his attacks, he needed to see Lucy.

Natsu's hearing seemed to return, along with his mentality. He was thinking much clearer now. He didn't even know what happened or how much time had passed. Everything was fuzzy.

But his vision became crystal clear when he caught sight of Lucy, she was sprawled out on the floor. Her chair must have been broken from the fight and she laid still on the ground. Natsu rushed to her and sat
between her legs. He gently lifted her up from under her arms to see what happened.

"Lucy! Why aren't you moving?!" He shook her lightly.

Lucy's eyes were covered in blood and her body completely limp. Natsu traced all her features for a sign, but she was completely still.

"Lucy!!" He tried once more to revive her. But instead of waking, her head swung backwards lifelessly.

Natsu's worst fear was playing out in front of him. The love of his life, now dead because of his actions. He was not able to save her in time.

"Lucy!!!" His cry aimed at the sky, without hope of calling his friend, but yelling her name in sorrow. His howl turned into a roar and it shook the foundation, causing the ground to shake. If his world was crumbling, then he would take it out on the people who caused him this sorrow.

Zeref. Zeref was the one who orchestrated this entire scheme, he was to blame for Lucy's death. Flames burst from Natsu's form, before he could hurt Lucy anymore, he placed her back down gently and stormed out.

Natsu's body changed as flaming horns sprouted from his hair and his arms grew scales and large claws. They doubled in size and color, forming what appeared to be dragon talons.

His mind once again blinded him and he couldn't focus on anything except terminating Zeref. The strange feeling of complete rage, anger, sorrow and determination brought his demon to life. This time his mind was so far back, nothing could stop him. Not anymore. Because the only person who could; was now gone.