Author's Notes: I'd like to welcome you all to my fanfic, To The Stars! It's a NaLu fic and when you start reading you'll probably be able to see that it's based off the song Rewrite The Stars in the movie The Greatest Showman. The fic is based off the manga Fairy Tail and the timeline for this story will majorly start at Chapter 420, right at the start of the Avatar Arc. There will be a lot of spoilers on this fic, so please keep that in mind and it will be handy to read so that we're all on the same page. If it would help, this chapter is set between Chapter 420 to 435.

I really am one to appreciate reviews and all that so that it could help improve my writing so if you'd be really nice to give me some then you are all wonderful people. Also, this would be Rated T for a reason, so please keep that in mind as we go on with the story.

I will also be posting the story on AO3 just so you guys know. Also, I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the characters as well as the song Rewrite the Stars.

With that all done, let's get on with our story!

You know I want you

It's not a secret I try to hide

He loves her. He's known it for a while now, though he couldn't for the life of him remember when he fell for her. Or when he realized it. It seemed like a constant. A given fact that no one needed to speak out loud. It was a complete irrevocable fact that Natsu Dragneel was head-over-heels, madly in love with Lucy Heartfilia.

He never hid it and yet he never said it. It was a complete contradiction, but such was Natsu's way of life. To him, everything was so simple. He loved Lucy and he showed it in his own ways. He couldn't remember when he realized though. They've been through so much and he had gotten to see many sides of her throughout the time that they've been together. She's been there with him through thick and thin that went on in the guild and when he would think back to try and place when he fell for her, he'd just settle for thinking that he probably fell for her ever since they met.

To Natsu, Lucy was dreams and happiness and tenacity. That's how he met her. With dreams of being a Fairy Tail Mage and with enough happiness to brighten the day. She was unyielding in her beliefs and naïve as she may have been, she didn't hesitate to do what was right. Contrary to belief, he didn't team up with her just because she was blonde. He was… Curious. It paid off, he discovered a lot of things about her – some good, some bad. She was smart and quick to think on her feet that rare few could appreciate the brains that she stored in her head that enabled her to be a good mage, that enabled her to keep up with the powerhouses of the guild – himself, Gray and Erza. She had guts and lots of it – that she isn't afraid to fight on her own. That she trustingly jumped off the tower with only the belief that he would save her, and not once did she flinch in the face of Gajeel even when bound, bruised and beaten. She was brave. And she was so painfully kind and caring and through it managed to save Loke all on her own – all because she believed in the Lion Spirit, that she stood up for him when no one else did. And her strength.

Mavis, her strength is probably what called to Natsu the most. The underlying strength that was inside her whenever she refused to give up, to lose hope, to run away. He saw it. He's always seen it. The night they met. Saving Macao. Their first mission. Lullaby and Galuna Island. Against Phantom Lord and Gajeel. Forgiving Juvia and Gajeel. The whole Laxus fiasco. Oracion Seis and even Edolas! When the fat guy almost crushed her in Tenrou. When she was betrayed by Michelle and kidnapped by Oracion Seis. When Flare defeated her unfairly. When Minerva beat her black and blue. Future Rogue. The battle with the dragons. The Battle of Tartaros. Her strength was immense. He knew that at some point during their time together she wanted to break down, she wanted to give up. But she never did. And that's what draws Natsu to her the most. Unknown to her, she kept him going. Because he still wanted to see her smile. He always wanted to see her smile

It was all Natsu could think about. She was all Natsu could think about. Even as in a few hours they would be attacking the dark guild, Avatar. But who could blame him really? He did just confess his love for her earlier this week. And she did just reject him too. So, he had just been mulling about it even as they both went on their journey pretending that everything was fine, and nothing had changed between them.

I know you want me

So don't keep saying our hands our tied

It took them hours to lose the Army that chased them around and out of the streets of Crocus. Of course, for Natsu this was nothing. He could keep going for hours and hours. And Happy – well, he was just going to ride atop Natsu's head when he got tired. Lucy, however, did not have the endless bout of energy that her salmon-haired companion had and so by the time they had lost their pursuers, she was huffing and puffing in vigorous attempts to catch her breath.

"Lucy, you should really run more so that you wouldn't be so fat," the blue cat chimed teasingly with a grin on his face which prompted irritation from the blonde.

"Shut up cat!" though the remark lacked the bite it was supposed to have due to the wheezing of the woman.

Natsu, on the other hand, remained silent except for small chuckles as they got into their usual banter as if no time had come in between them. He chanced a look at Lucy and he thought about how long it has been since he had last seen her.

Her hair was now tied in a ponytail, its length reaching her lower back. She had grown her hair and Natsu had no doubts that she looked beautiful with her hair down even though it probably got in the way. He thinks she grew a little taller, but he couldn't be sure since he assumes that he has put on some height as well. And there was her voluptuous figure. Happy was wrong. She wasn't fat at all, if anything, she looked like she lost weight despite developing some muscles that likely came from training. It was obvious to him that Lucy did not slack off at all in the time that they spent apart even though she was apparently doing more writing and less fighting in the past year.

She had changed. A lot. Natsu had no doubt about it. Just as he had no doubt about the lingering sadness that hung around her that he could smell, almost touch. Just as he had no doubt that he wanted to dispel that sadness, to destroy its cause. Because he loves her and just wants her to be happy and safe. He wants her eyes to sparkle in happiness as she looked at him.

"Natsu? Are you okay?" his thoughts were abruptly cut off by the Celestial Mage's voice and his eyes immediately snapped up to look at her blushing features.

A hint of pink dusted her cheeks as she bit her lower lip and can't quite meet his gaze. He thought she was beautiful. "You've been spacing out and staring for a while now," Lucy mumbled with a hint of worry. "Is there something on my face?"

Natsu gave her a toothy grin and put his hands behind his head as he began to walk, prompting a groan out of Lucy as they started on their journey. "Nah Luce. I was just thinking that you changed," he said merrily. It was quite nice to see a blushing Lucy, it had been his sort of side mission to see if she liked him the way he liked her. From what he could see, maybe, just maybe, she liked him back.

He saw her surprise and happiness when they first locked eyes at Domus Flau. The wistfulness and hope that resided there as well. Of course, there were also the hints of sadness and betrayal from when they were talking about the guild and his training trip. But he could also see that he made her happy when they were together. She also acted shyly from time to time, blushing up a storm at certain times. And there was when he and Happy had found what she had been hiding in her room. A detailed map and research on each and every location of the Fairy Tail members and their picture – his and Lucy's and the rest of Team Natsu right in the middle of it. He had seen in her research that she had been trying to find him and dare he hoped that she returns his feelings. He would have to figure it out and soon – the suspense was killing him.

And so, despite his cheerful demeanor as he conversed with Happy and Lucy about everything and nothing, he also continued to contemplate about his feelings for her well into their journey as they travelled towards Lamia Scale until they decided to camp in a clearing in the middle of the woods for the evening.

You claim it's not in the cards

And fate is pulling you miles away

"Natsu, are you sure you're alright? You've been spacing out an awful lot today," Lucy prodded gently from the other side of the campfire after Happy had fallen into blissful sleep – probably with dreams of fish like the one he had for dinner earlier. Natsu blinked a couple of times, his gaze still on the fire for a few seconds before he lifted his gaze to concerned brown orbs. It was true that he was spacing out during various points in the evening. He just didn't think Lucy noticed up until she actually pointed it out.

His contemplation was getting him nowhere. He loved Lucy. There was a possibility of Lucy liking him. And he didn't know what to do. Gildarts told him to see how Lucy felt about him before doing anything decisive. But Lucy was Lucy. And the only way to know what she was honestly thinking or feeling was to figure out directly from her and not by just looking at her.

"I love you, Luce," he said.

Lucy's gentle laughter flitted in the open space. "I love you too, silly dragon. Gosh, I didn't think you'd miss me that much. Gonna tell Gray that too when we find him?" the blonde smirked waggling her eyebrows and Natsu frowned a little.

"No Luce. I mean I love you. Just you. I love you," he tried to emphasize and summoned all the seriousness and emotion he could muster to convey just how serious he was about her. How honest and open he was being right now. And he could only guess that Lucy had finally gotten what he meant when she stared at him slack-jawed for what seemed like hours.

He watched the emotions that crossed her face. She had always been so expressive. Surprise. Confusion. Betrayal. Anger. Resignation. And finally, sadness. He didn't find what he wished he would have. There was no excitement, no hope, no happiness, and no love. He didn't know who between the two of them was more shocked by this turn of events.

"I'm sorry. I need to go. You should sleep, I'll go take watch around the woods," she said as she stood and stalked off into the woods and far from his sight. But not from his other senses.

They both knew she wasn't leaving to take watch. Natsu could do it just fine while they stayed by the campfire because of his fine-tuned senses. They both knew that she was doing it to escape from him. To get away from him. Not once since he met Lucy did he ever think that he would ever drive her away. That they would get to a point that she would run away from him of all people. Because they were a team. They were partners. They were inseparable. Until a year ago. Until he left.

He didn't follow her. Not with the sadness hovering above her that he knew he was currently the cause. He stayed by the fire, watching over Happy. She wasn't out of his range, so he could still sense her. He looked out for danger. And yet all he could feel was the pang in his heart and her.

He smelled her tears. He heard her soft cries.

He didn't sleep.

She did not return until morning.

And out of reach from me

But you're here in my heart

Since then, he and Lucy spoke nothing of what transpired that night. Of course, there were the occasional awkwardness that hung over their heads for a while and Happy had undoubtedly caught wind of the slight change between them but not a peep came from any of the three. It had been a week since then and Natsu really had no clue of what to do after that whole ordeal. With the addition of Wendy and Carla into their group after they had picked them up at Lamia Scale, there was simply no more room for awkwardness, so he and Lucy had gotten back to some semblance of normalcy that continued on even now. Of course, both of them still refused to talk about it, and though it weighed down on him greatly, this was certainly better than not being able to talk to Lucy at all.

Still, Natsu really wished that he had a clue on what to do now. He had not expected such a reaction from Lucy at all. Maybe some huffing annoyance or indignant anger or maybe her thinking it was all some big prank. He did not expect to make her cry with his admittance really. Was it that bad that he was in love with her? Or did he remind her of someone from the guild that she loved? The thought left a bad taste in his mouth and all he could do was sigh and run his hands through his hair as he looked at his blonde companion blissfully asleep.

It wasn't like he came to terms with his feelings for her easily. It was damn hard if anything and he didn't really come to complete terms with it until encountering Gildarts during the training trip. He'd known for a while. A long while actually. He'd figured out that he liked her at Tenrou after battling the guy that threatened to crush her skull. That was not a good memory, and it wasn't like he had much time to ponder it before the whole Acnologia and being trapped for 7 years happened. And between trying to help the guild recover, the whole Oracion Seis fiasco and training for the Grand Magic Games, they couldn't seem to get a break. Of course, he noticed that his liking towards her was growing. He wasn't just attracted to her physically although he does acknowledge that she was one of the most attractive women in the guild. He liked her because he was Lucy. Plain and simple. During the Grand Magic Games, he kind of figured that he ought to confess and see what happens after the games ended. But then, she got beaten by Minerva and that stroke a chord within Natsu.

He couldn't deny it right then that he had already fallen for the Celestial Mage. He could remember the rage and the worry and every emotion he felt then as he ran to catch her before she hit the ground unconscious. He couldn't lose her. But he did. Against Future Rogue. Sure, anyone could argue that it was Future Lucy that died and not their Lucy. But it was just as Happy said. Lucy was Lucy. And the pain he felt then was indescribable. He couldn't lose her. And yet every single time, she was right in the middle of every shithole that was going on and Natsu can't figure out for the life of him what he would do if he lost her again. And he almost lost her a lot of times. Especially during the Battle of Tartaros. He lost Igneel then. And he knew, he couldn't lose Lucy too. It would break him. And so, he left. To get stronger. He couldn't take her with them because then he might put her in danger in the places he was planning to go. He knew the guild would keep her safe.

But they didn't.

They left her. Just like how he left her.

And unknown to her, he honestly couldn't quite forgive himself for leaving her alone.

So who can stop me if I decide

That you're my destiny

Natsu idly listened to Juvia as she explained to them her past living arrangements with Gray. He had already figured that part out as soon as they entered the house. It was impossible for Gray's scent to stick to the place if he didn't live here, and even if it had faded by now, he could tell that it had been potent before. But also, by the smell of it, he hadn't been here in months. And he was right, according to Juvia anyway.

The dragonslayer frowned at this. Juvia loved Gray and he kinda figured that the Ice Bastard held something – Natsu wasn't quite sure what with regards to the prick considering that Gray was emotionally constipated – but he was sure that there was something. Otherwise he would never have put up with Water Mage, much less live with her.

"That jerk," he murmured, "leaving without a word."

"You should talk!" came the immediate reply from Lucy and though he tried to reason that he at least left a note, Lucy was having none of it.

"Did you ever stop to think about the people left behind?" she glared at him and all he could do was stare at her before her gaze changed to sadness and he had to avert his eyes. "About how we might feel?" Lucy whispered.

Natsu pondered about this. Of course, he thought about it. How could he not? But at the time, her safety was more of his priority rather than her happiness. He had known she would be angry at them, but he failed to protect her a lot of times when she needed it. What if he failed again during the training trip? He knew she was strong. Knew it better than anyone, probably better than herself. But there are times that he needed to protect her just as he knows that at times, she protected him. That was why he left with only the note and hope that the guild would be there for her when he couldn't.

That was why Natsu was angry at Gray. At least Natsu had the – no matter how lame and stupid and useless – excuse of thinking that the guild would be there for Lucy when he and Happy left. That was why he managed to leave Lucy – if he had known the guild would disband, he would have brought her with them or quite possibly postponed the training trip. What was Gray's excuse for leaving a friend – not just any friend, but Juvia – behind?

That was all Natsu could think about as he looked out the window at the relentless rain. As he listened to Juvia's soft cries. How he couldn't forgive Gray easily for leaving Juvia alone and making her cry. Leaving her so lonely that the rain – the telltale sign of her sadness – refused to stop at all. And how he couldn't also quite forgive himself for leaving Lucy behind a year ago. For quite possibly letting her suffer the same loneliness Juvia was currently going through if not worse. For all the tears he had caused.

And so, he will find Gray. And he will bring back Fairy Tail. For Lucy.

So that she can be happy again. And so that he could start making it up to her even if she doesn't love him back. Because it was enough that he loves her and that she's happy – and he will continue to fool himself with that.

What if we rewrite the stars?

Say you were made to be mine

After Juvia finally fell asleep, Natsu and the others decided to go outside despite the pouring rain if only so they could converse freely without waking up the sick mage. Everyone was thinking of what they could do for Juvia or what they could do to find Gray. But, Natsu already knew what to do. Or at least, he had a vague idea.

It's been a year since Tartaros and that could only mean that it's been a little over a year as well since the incident with Future Rogue and the dragons. Natsu could remember clearly the warning that came from the Rogue that now ceases to exist. It would be around this time – everything just seemed so convenient after all. Gray somehow getting Demon Slaying Magic. The dark marks that Juvia saw. Gray's sudden disappearance. And then the fact that it's been a year since Future Rogue's attack. It would be around this time that would make or break who Rogue currently is. It would be around this time that Frosch would supposedly be killed. And according to Future Rogue, in his timeline, it had been Gray that did it. They needed to go to Sabertooth. If only to make sure that Frosch and Rogue stayed safe. To make sure that Lucy – his Lucy – would be safe.

"It wasn't too far from here, was it?" he asked as he looked out on to the village surrounded by rain while he thought about how to bring Gray back. "Time to go see Sabertooth," was all he told the group and as expected, it broke into complete chaos. Lucy's annoyance at the randomness of his plan and Wendy, Carla and Happy's confusion as to why they had to go see Sabertooth. "They'd have more news and would have heard more about Gray or something. 'Sides it's not like we have much to go on. His scent is long gone and I can't trail it so we'll have to go do some Gray-hunting the old-fashioned way," was what he rambled on without letting on what he knew. It wasn't time to scare them about something that Gray hadn't – wouldn't do.

It took some time convincing Lucy that no, he was not going crazy. And yes, he did think this through. And no, he wasn't doing it just so he could hang out with Sting. And yes, it was what they could currently do for Juvia and find Gray. Wendy and Carla decided to stay behind to take care and watch over the sick Water Mage while Natsu, Happy, and Lucy headed to Sabertooth.

The trip was quiet as they rode the creature, but thankfully lacked the awkwardness that hung over the two mages the past few days. Lucy and Happy were just thinking of how they were going to help Juvia or how they were going to find Gray. Meanwhile, Natsu had to ponder on the implications of the possibility – now nonexistent – of Gray killing Frosch. There were a lot, none of them good and most if not all of them were destined to hurt the feelings of the blonde mage currently holding on to him. And so, he told her to stop trusting Gray. Or at least until they find him. It made sense to him and he was just trying to explain that, but it seemed she was too nervous about him not looking at the road. Really, he did not need to drive. The animal already knew where they were headed after all.

"Lucy, I'm going to bring Gray back with me. That's a promise!" he said with utmost determination.

And for one second, he could see the hope brought back into her eyes. Even if it was only a moment, he saw it. And he saw that she believed him just like she used to – or always did – he wasn't so sure anymore when she believed him. To Natsu, it was only the now that was important. And in that very moment, he knew she believed in this promise that Gray would be back with them.

"Just… Trust me okay?" he whispered with a small sad smile. And quick as the hope and belief in her eyes had been, it disappeared and was replaced with sadness before she hit him to force him to face front and perhaps to force them back to normalcy once more, so they would not have to deal with the repercussions of their emotions towards one another.

And he went along with it. But he could not help the pain he felt in his heart as it felt like his throat had closed up. His stomach in knots and the grip on the reins just a little bit tighter. He could not help the pain that came from knowing that Lucy does not trust him as much as she used to, and he brought it upon himself.

Nothing could keep us apart

You'd be the one I was meant to find

Natsu sighed for the umpteenth time that day before looking to the sky and deciding that now was as good time as any to attack Avatar. Lucy was now rested for a fight and Happy too just in case they needed a quick escape. Standing from his seat, he walked over to Lucy to nudge her awake.

"Luce, time to wake up. It's almost nightfall," he said as he shook her gently until she responded with a small groan and opened her eyes. "Mm. Natsu?" sleep still clouding her mind. "Yeah, come on, time to get up. I'll wake Happy. Better get ready," he said with a small smile before going on to wake the blue exceed. Afterwards, they made quick work of breaking camp and heading to the dark guild nearby.

Natsu was ready to charge in since he knew he could pretty much handle the guys inside. He could sense them, and from what he could tell Ice-for-Brains was the most powerful one by a longshot. But, as always, Lucy was the voice of reason and claimed that no, they should not just barge in like hooligans. The transformation that Lucy performed did catch him by surprise though. She really has grown, he could remember her having trouble with transformation magic once upon a time after all. And while Happy was more focused on the fact that Lucy could transform like Erza, he was quite taken by the fact that Lucy was now standing in front of him in a maid outfit. A very short and sexy maid outfit. It was apparently useful for digging holes with Virgo to get into the guild.

He did not mind one bit. Although he would deny the accusations that he was blatantly staring at the black lace underwear she was wearing when she was climbing out of the hole. Yep, he was definitely not staring at that. And no, he was not getting distracted. Getting the Ice Bastard was still top priority so, he did what he does best. Natsu made a lot of noise.

In hindsight, Natsu probably could have done a lot of things differently when they entered the guild. For one thing, he could have kept his mouth shut. It was all a quick blur for him really. And it all started when he saw that cursed doll from Tenrou. The weird eyebrow guy wasn't much. It was really only when the ice bastard showed up that there was trouble. And he had the gall to accuse him and Lucy and Happy of just pretending to be friends! No wonder Lucy slapped him. But that isn't the point.

The point is he completely forgot to look out for more enemies or for the ones that he already defeated and that put Lucy in the line of danger. Again. From right under his nose. He couldn't do shit earlier. Not when that stupid girl was doing something to Lucy's insides and was making her suffer, and though he knew he could get to her even with the magic-suppressing chains, he couldn't do anything with the sword precariously close to Lucy's throat. One move and that was all it would have taken to kill Lucy and he couldn't do shit. And all that Ice Bastard did was watch.

And so now they sat in a cell and Weird Brows was talking nonsense and Natsu wasn't listening. Until Lucy was tied to the ceiling and he knew that he had to do something.

"Let Lucy go!" he gritted his teeth as he held the bars to their prison tightly. If only he had his magic he'd be pulverizing this guy in an instant. And within a moment he was pulled away from the bars and to the other side of the cell, bound to the wall and helpless to do anything but watch. Again.

What was all that damn training for if he couldn't do anything damn it!

"Lucy!" He could see her fear. He could smell it, almost taste it. He didn't know what to do as he struggled while Lucy was being prepped for the torture to be inflicted on her. He struggled and struggled as much as he could to escape, pulling his bounds while Weird Brows kept insisting that he tell him what brought them to the Avatar guild. As if they hadn't already explicitly told them earlier. He kept on telling them, but they wouldn't listen. He struggled further as he saw the torture about to begin.

Then, Weird Brows lost his shit.

"LUCY!" He was beginning to break from his bounds. He could also feel his limbs protesting the movement, threatening to break his wrist or dislocate his shoulder but he didn't care because Lucy was in fucking danger. She was being stretched while bound and that axe in that fucker's hands was certainly not a good sign. He was going to fucking cut her in half. Natsu could feel himself shaking, sweating in fear while he tried and tried to escape his binds. He could feel them giving.

"Don't you dare!" Just a little more.

He wasn't going to make it!

"LUCYYYYY!"

Weird Brow froze.

No.

He was frozen in ice.

Gray.

It's up to you and it's up to me

No one can say what we get to be

In retrospect, the whole idea that Gray was working undercover in the Avatar guild did make more sense that him going all bonkers. It also puts some perspective into the whole leaving Juvia alone issue. But then again, how the hell were they supposed to know that?!

Sure, it all made sense now that they actually knew that the bastard was sure as hell not evil but that didn't mean he had to keep it a secret from Juvia damn it. Even if it was Erza's request. He would never admit that he agreed with what happened though, but he could sure as hell understand where they were coming from. Thousands of peoples' lives were at stake and they could not gamble that. Not even with how strong Gray (he'd never admit it to the bastard) and Erza were. They were right. The only time they could take down the Avatar for sure was when they were all together – today.

Well, at least the bastard apologized to Lucy. And she was smiling now. Even if he could see the slight hesitation present in her features. Damn it, he wished she would just smile like she used to. But it seemed like she didn't trust them as much as she did a year ago.

But she would again. Someday. He'd make sure of it. But for now, they had a damn operation to crush. They were all going to be fighting together side by side. After a whole year of being apart and getting stronger.

Natsu was all fired up.

Though it was only three mages and one exceed blocking the way to the town, he knew for sure that they could take them all on. And maybe, when this whole situation was dealt with, maybe he could – no, he would – talk to Lucy again.

That he really did love her. That he wanted to be with her. That he was serious. That he was really sorry for ever having have left her. And that he just wanted her to trust him again. To not show him that fake smile. That pained smile. The smile that she put on to hide all her sadness even though he could clearly see it in her eyes. That he would do anything for her just to give him that one chance to prove himself to her.

They were living very dangerous lives as mages. And for some reason, them being Fairy Tail wizards made them be in the very thick of it. In the very center. Which made it all the more dangerous. Which opened lots and lots and lots of opportunities for any of them to die. And by some sick joke of whatever god there was, he always, always, always seemed to see Lucy kidnapped, injured, nearly dying, and once, even dead. So, he wanted to talk to her. Convince her to forgive him, to trust him, to give him one chance. Because seeing her being tied up and being threatened to be cut in half not even hours ago scared him. Scared him to the point that he didn't even want to think about what could have happened if Gray wasn't really on their side. If Gray was late. If she was never saved. Because he wasn't fucking strong enough.

But for now, he didn't want to think of all that. And so, he would fight this army and he would live. They all would.

So why don't we rewrite the stars?

Maybe the world could be ours, tonight.

Natsu stood to face the god known as Ikusa-Tsunagi. It was huge, powerful and deadly. That much, he knew. The stupid priest leader of the Avatar guild was the least of his concerns right now. But the bastard will pay. He would make sure of it himself.

No. Right now, his priorities lay in defeating the monster. Not to prove he was strong. But to protect his friends. Because they were down there along with the injured and the dead. Dead by being crushed – just by being crushed by the sheer size of the foe he was to face. They were there. She was there and he'd be damned if he just lets this whatever get the people he cares for killed because this stupid priest wanted to sacrifice people for Zeref.

Natsu stood to watch his foe. Trying to concentrate merely on it. Tried to ignore everything around him except for this battle god. But it was hard. Mavis it was hard. With all the screaming and fear and blood and death. Screaming that reminded him of the Games. Fear that reminded him of dragons. Blood that reminded him of Mercurius. And death that reminded him of her.

"Not again. Never again," he muttered to himself.

Natsu ran. He ran like hell and centered himself on that one thought that he was going to protect her this time. That he had failed once, twice, many times, but not this time.

The god attacked. Bringing down its gigantic sword and causing more and more death while Natsu pushed on and ignored the aftershocks. Ignored the screams and the death and the blood and the fear and everything else except that determination to protect. Pushed power to his legs and jumped and ran. Ran up the sword. Ran because he was going to defeat this enemy no matter what it took, and he would be enough. His power would be enough. It had to be enough.

He could hear the blabbering of the priest. He didn't give a fuck what the guy thought. His friends' lives were worth more than just being sacrifices. Lucy's life was worth more than just being a sacrifice. He wasn't going to let anyone decide her future except her. They were more than just tools. They are his family. They are his everything.

And because they are his everything, Natsu was going to protect them all. He was going to protect Lucy. Because he already failed once and he never wanted to go through that again. The failure, the shock, the pain, the agonizing pain of the knowledge that he had failed to protect and would never see her again. Never see her smile.

He was going to protect them all so that no one, not one, will vanish before his very eyes. So that no one will fall from the sky, torn like Igneel whom he'd searched for years and had minutes with before his death – before he vanished. So that no one will cry, bleeding to death like Lucy – Future Lucy. Future Lucy who risked everything, who was so pained, who smiled like his own Lucy. Never again. Because he didn't think he could take it again. He wouldn't – couldn't – lose her like that ever again.

He wouldn't let anyone vanish before his eyes ever again. He wouldn't let her vanish. So, he was going to get a lot stronger. And if it was going to start by defeating one battle god. Then, damn right he will.

Natsu let his power flow. Let his fire – Igneel's fire – burst into the searing hot flames that made him the Fire Dragon King. And he slammed it on Ikusa-Tsunagi.

"Fire Dragon King's Demolishing Strike!"

The Ikusa-Tsunagi knew no more. And all that was left was the remains turned into rubble and ashes. Natsu Dragneel stood amidst the devastation with pride and the knowledge that he succeeded in protecting all he held dear.

With the arrival of the Council, Natsu could finally breathe and looked to the crowd that was his friends. The crowd where she stood in all her glory and hidden power that made him breathless. And in this moment where he had just defeated hundreds of enemies and one fucking battle god, he knew, he just knew that he had to be with her.

And if Natsu Dragneel could defeat a battle god and live, then he sure as hell will try and never give up on getting Lucy to give him one chance – one last chance – to prove to her that he loved her.