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When Natsu realized that Lucy was not with them at the Bird’s Nest, he accepted Gray’s furious punch and screamed obscenities without hesitation. Erza had to drag the Ice Make mage off of him, and Wendy grabbed Gray’s arm to make sure he didn’t go for Natsu’s throat again as Erza hauled Natsu off of the ground. Blood dripped from Natsu’s nose and a cut over his eyebrow, but the Dragon Slayer didn’t seem to notice.
“You could have killed her!” Gray’s voice broke. “Fucking hell, Natsu, you almost killed Lucy!”
“It wasn’t me!” Natsu protested hoarsely. “I - I had no idea what I was doing, I swear. I would never hurt Lucy on purpose. Never.” His voice turned pleading, and it was so unexpected that Gray actually took a step back into Wendy.
“It was Zash’s magic,” Erza murmured. “He can turn people against each other. No wonder Stella made him their Minister of State. He can destroy an enemy force by looking them in the eyes.”
“But where is Lucy?” Wendy asked, her eyes brimming with tears. “Why wasn’t she brought here with us?” Charle put a comforting hand on Wendy’s ankle, but the Dragon Slayer was so upset that she didn’t notice. Happy, trembling, held onto the end of Charle’s tail; for once, she didn’t seem to mind.
Gray reared back, his eyes blown with fear. His whole body went tense. “Fuck,” he gasped. “Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck !”
“What? What is it?” Erza whirled to face him.
“Zash!” Gray had gone pale. “He - at the bar, he kept trying to get Lucy to ‘come be his girl.’ He was all but obsessed with her.”
Wendy clapped her hands over her mouth. “No!” she cried. “Do you - do you think he -?”
Erza’s jaw tensed.
Natsu burst into flames. “We need to get moving,” he gritted out. “I can find her. Follow me!”
~
Lucy barely had a chance to take in the horrific state of the others before she felt her mind simply go...blank. It was as if she were watching a recording on a lacrima; her body was moving, but she had no control over it.
“Follow me,” Zash ordered.
“Yes,” Lucy agreed. No! She thought.
“Stand there.”
“Yes.” No! Natsu - Natsu!
“Raise your arms.”
Lucy’s voice shook. “Yes.” Gray! Please, someone!
Zash unsheathed a knife. The look in his eyes when he gazed at the blade and then at Lucy’s exposed legs was the same: lust. Lucy’s stomach roiled, her whole being fighting to recoil from him.
“I practice dark magic,” the Minister said, conversationally. “I need lots of pure blood for that. You should do, although you inconvenienced me - what was it? Lucy?”
Lucy internally shuddered at the sound of his voice, though her body was still when she said, “Yes.” She wished that she could thrash, scream, and fight back . She wished she could tear out Zash’s throat with her teeth, because now she knew what he had done to those other women. What he would do to her. She knew the bullshit about pure blood was a lie, and, anyway, if that’s what he meant by it, he was out of luck with her.
Natsu had made sure of that, the night they were reunited after he crashed the Grand Magic Games.
But Zash was not a man who cared about those things. He was going to bleed her, he was going to assault her, and then he was going to put her right back in that cell to wait for another round.
Lucy would murder him the moment he came too close without his influence.
The blade skated up her inner thigh, stinging sharply, and not even Zash’s control could contain the violent thrash her body attempted. The chains on her wrists and ankles tightened, pulling her flush against the piller. The scent of copper filled the air as the slice on her thigh began to well with blood.
“Let’s get the blood flowing a bit, first, shall we?” Zash asked. He pressed close to Lucy, his scarred face coming close to her skin as he ran his nose up the column of her neck to her ear.
Lucy wanted to vomit.
Zash leaned back, then -
Lucy screamed at the white-hot feeling of deep slashes across her stomach, her collar bones, her left hip. Her body bucked, rebelling, and Zash just laughed as he lashed out at her again. Right bicep. Left shoulder. Her neck, so violently that Lucy blacked out for a moment, the fear that he’d slit her throat putting her under for a blessed two or three seconds.
Zash continued to slash at her flesh, talking and laughing to himself. He pulled a vial out of his pocket, filling it with her dripping blood. She felt like more of it was getting onto the floor than in his vials, but she also knew that this man was insane. He didn’t care if some blood went to waste, because Lucy was one of a half dozen that he could bleed as long and as often as he wanted.
Soon, Lucy became so lightheaded that she was going in and out of awareness. She jerked back to consciousness as the blade plunged through the joint of her right shoulder, sinking so deeply that the tip of it collided with the column, sending a jolt down her bones. Her fingers spasmed, and she screamed so fiercely that she choked. The fingers of her right hand continued to tremble and spasm. Dripping blood soaked her sides.
“That should be enough for now, don’t you think? Miss Lucy?” Zash held up no less than a dozen vials of red. His hands, arms, and face were tacky with it, as if he’d been luxuriating in the feel of her blood.
Lucy gagged, still blinded by the searing pain in her shoulder, “Yes.” No one is coming for me , she thought. Tears pricked her eyes as the sound of Zash’s armor rustling as it was being removed reached her ears.
Natsu , she pleaded.
~
Lucy was screaming so loudly that Natsu didn’t need his Dragon Slayer hearing to hear it. Every second grated at his nerves, made the dragon in his core bellow with rage.
Natsu hadn’t yet claimed Lucy as his mate, but he had no doubts after their feverish reunion in Crocus just a few weeks earlier. The feeling of her skin against his, her scent in his nose, her taste on his tongue - he had been completely remade. He had been planning to make things official with Lucy when they returned from this mission- as far as dating, at least. Natsu figured he probably needed to explain to her the concept of mating before he attempted it. That sounded like the fastest way to get Lucy-kicked out onto Magnolia’s cobblestones.
Even without the mating bond, this was too much for his dragon; especially as he got close enough to pinpoint that Lucy was right there , on the other side of the wall, and he clocked the cloying, nauseating scent of blood. Lucy’s blood. A lot of it . By the look on Gray’s face, Natsu realized that one didn’t need Dragon Slayer senses to be able to smell that, either. Without faltering, without heeding Erza or Wendy’s shouts of Be careful!, Natsu blasted through the wall.
His eyes feverishly scanned the room; then froze.
Natsu blacked out.
~
The scream of pure, dragon fury that ripped from Natsu was echoed by Gray’s furious shout and Erza’s violent howl. Wendy froze at the sight before her.
Against a column, bound by her raised hands and spread ankles, was Lucy. Her shift, which must have once been white, was nearly completely pink. Some spots were so red that they faded into black. The Celestial Mage was covered in slash marks; on her arms, her chest, her abdomen, and down her legs. Blood pooled underneath her, dripping sickeningly. She was clearly coming in and out of consciousness, her head raising slightly before dropping back down to her chest.
What froze Wendy was the image of Zash stepping away from Lucy, hastily yanking up his trousers and pulling them tight. He barely had a chance to react before Natsu and Gray were upon him, roaring. Erza was right behind them, and Zash hit the opposite wall so hard that his entire body left an imprint.
“Wendy!” Erza barked, and the Dragon Slayer jerked to attention just in time to see Erza rip a dagger out of Lucy’s shoulder. The blonde’s body spasmed, her closed eyes fluttering, but the pain wasn’t enough to bring her back to full consciousness and she quickly went limp again.
“Y - yes!” Wendy darted over as Erza broke Lucy’s chains, her hands already outstretched with a healing spell. She’d barely lain hands on Lucy’s bloodied form when Erza barked out,
“Gray! Natsu!”
Natsu held the staff in one hand, his other wreathed in flame. Gray had shifted somehow, a black marking taking up half of his face and body. Neither man had a hint of human expression on their faces. Neither reacted to Erza’s voice.
The Titania snapped again, “Gray! Natsu! We have the staff. We have Lucy. Let’s go !”
Wendy knew the only reason the men reacted was what happened next.
Lucy regained a bit of consciousness as Wendy’s magic moved over her. “Natsu?” she murmured, sounding confused. “Where’s - I need - Natsu?”
Natsu snarled, more dragon than man, as Zash struggled to his feet. Even so, he turned towards Erza.
“No!” Lucy gasped out. “The others -!” She lifted her left arm feebly, pointing to a short hallway.
Natsu whipped back around, fire dancing in the air around him. “He’s mine,” the Dragon Slayer snapped at Gray. “You go for the others.”
Gray hesitated, his murderous expression locked onto Zash, who’d pushed himself up on one knee. “Kill him,” Gray snarled in answer, then took off.
Wendy jumped when Lucy’s hand touched her shoulder. “Please,” she begged. “Go.” Wendy looked up at Erza, torn, but the Titania said,
“I’ll keep her safe.”
“Come this way!”
Wendy slid defensively in front of Lucy and Erza, only to see a skinny, nervous looking woman standing in the remains of the wall Natsu had ruined.
“My name is Sonya,” she whispered. “Please, come with me! I can help you get out of the castle safely.”
“Wendy,” Lucy pleaded again.
“Go,” Erza reached out to squeeze Wendy’s shoulder. “I can take care of the both of us if it comes to it.” She sent Sonya a glare that Wendy had seen melt the most powerful of men, but the brunette didn’t waver.
“Be careful,” Wendy replied.
~
“You should have let me finish the job,” Natsu spat at Gray, even as he hoisted two frightened, weak women over his shoulders. Gray held two, as well, and Wendy and the healthiest of the captives - a short, leanly muscled woman with short black hair and a severe expression - supported a sixth. Wendy pressed her hand to the stomach of the woman walking between them, gentle healing magic flowing and improving her ability to walk.
“There’s no time,” Gray gritted out. “We’ve got to get these women to safety.”
“Are you from Fiore?” one woman asked.
“Fairy Tail,” Gray answered, dropping back to let Natsu take the lead. They passed Zash, unconscious but still alive, half buried in rubble.
The dark-haired woman spat on him as they passed. “He killed my men,” she said thickly. “He made me kill some of them. He turned the rest against each other.”
Natsu fought to keep from tensing, aware of the two frightened women he carried. “Yeah, he tried that with us, too.”
“I’m glad you were able to resist. Having the blood of my own comrades on my hands...I can’t describe it.” She paused. “My name is Captain Riana, of Fiore’s White Tigers.”
Gray sucked in a breath. “You guys are no joke. I knew that Zash was powerful, but that....I’m sorry, Riana.”
“I will avenge them.” Riana swore. She and Wendy helped the woman between them - Lyanne - over the rubble from the entrance Natsu had made. Haltingly, the women Natsu carried introduced themselves as Kiara and Kiana, twins from Stella’s capital. The woman over Gray’s right shoulder was Syna, and she introduced the mute woman over the Ice Make mage’s other shoulder as Myra, explaining that the woman was deaf but knew Stellan sign language.
“We will avenge ourselves.” Kiara gritted her teeth.
“And all the women who came before us,” Kiana agreed quietly.
“We will help you,” Natsu said, darkly. Despite the fury undercutting his tone, all the women relaxed slightly. The Dragon Slayer jerked his head right. “Erza and Lucy went this way,” he said. “Follow me, as quickly as you can.”
~
Sonya moved down the darkened streets of Stella’s capital quickly, Erza shadowing her. Lucy rested on Titania's back, her good arm loosely wrapped around the redhead’s neck. She was still semi-conscious, and Erza took great care to keep the blonde steady as they hurried through the dark.
A figure stepped out of an alley ahead of them.
Sonya squeaked in alarm.
“Who goes there?” Erza demanded. She loosed one hand from Lucy, requipping a sword into the other.
“I thought I smelled something familiar,” the figure replied, stepping into the light.
“Gajeel,” Erza relaxed, her sword glimmering before vanishing back into its pocket space. “What are you doing here?”
“The shrimp, Juvia, and I are here on a mission. Yo, why do you smell like - oh, fuck!” Gajeel had come close enough to see Lucy, still covered in her own blood and partially healed wounds. Her right arm hung limp, her fingers spasming erratically. Gajeel’s eyes flashed with fury, his hands curling into fists. “What the fuck happened?”
“I leave you here, with your friend.” Sonya took a step away, then shot Erza a warning look. “Stay away from Zash and the Dragon Cry. I can’t promise that you’ll survive another run in with him.” With that, she dashed off.
Neither Fairy Tail mage tried to stop her.
“Let me take Lucy,” Gajeel offered, and Erza eased the Celestial Mage off of her back and into Gajeel’s arms. Erza shuddered when she realized that she was covered in Lucy’s blood.
“What happened?” the Dragon Slayer repeated.
“It’s a long story. But she was tortured and...assualted.” Erza ground the words out, and Gajeel’s protective grip on Lucy tightened.
“Is the bastard dead?”
“Unfortunately not.”
Erza turned, finding the rest of her party staggering out of an alleyway. Natsu and Gray carried two women each, and a dark-haired woman and Wendy held another up between them. All of the women wore the same shift and shackles around their necks, wrists, and ankles as Lucy.
Natsu’s eyes darkened further when he saw Lucy cradled in Gajeel’s arms. The Fire Dragon Slayer snarled darkly. Gajeel started to retort, then drew up in surprise. He squinted at Natsu for just a moment before saying, “Trade up, Salamander.”
“Do you mind?” Wendy asked the women.
“I think I can walk,” one replied, and Natsu eased her onto her feet.
“Easy, Kiana,” the dark haired woman ordered.
“I’m fine,” Kiana steadied herself, then reached for the other woman Natsu carried. “I can walk. I’ll help Kiara.”
“Syna, are you okay if Gajeel takes you? It’ll be more comfortable, and you can translate for Myra.” Gray addressed a redheaded woman over his shoulder. She agreed, and Gajeel passed Lucy gently to Natsu. Erza pulled Syna off of Gray’s shoulders into Gajeel’s arms, then helped Gray adjust Myra.
The women’s hands flashed in front of them quickly, and Syna said, “She’s okay. She said Zash got her ankles pretty badly last time and she doesn’t think she can walk.”
“We’ll get you somewhere safe,” Gajeel addressed Myra directly, and Syna translated quickly. “C’mon,” the Iron Dragon Slayer addressed the rest of the group. “We have a hotel suite a few blocks from here. Let’s hole up there for now.”
“Let’s move,” Erza agreed.
Natsu murmured to Lucy, still unconscious in his arms, “You’re safe now, Lucy. I won’t let anything happen to you ever again.”
~
Six Weeks Later
Natsu had killed Zash with his own hands, and yet it still didn’t feel like enough.
He routinely woke from nightmares that reeked of Lucy’s blood and fear. Even though, the night they’d rescued her, Wendy had both healed all of her wounds and confirmed that they’d interrupted Zash before he’d assaulted the Celestial Mage...Lucy still wore the terror of her experience starkly in her eyes.
She jumped any time a man walked up behind her - even guild members and Loke. Sometimes, in the guild hall, her face would go vacant, her eyes unfocusing before she returned to the moment with a shudder. The nerves in her right arm, despite Wendy and Porlucia’s best efforts, hadn’t fully healed. Her hand trembled constantly, and her wrist and fingers spasmed often, especially during missions. Added on to the stress of Alvarez’s imminent invasion, and Natsu knew Lucy was struggling.
And, like an idiot, Natsu was keeping his distance from her. He had failed her. Lucy had been tortured because he let Zash get the upper hand. Natsu had nearly killed her just hours before that.
Mavis estimated that Alvarez would attack within days. The citizens of Magnolia were evacuated.
And Natsu couldn’t stand it anymore.
For the first time since he’d known her, Natsu went to the front door of Lucy’s apartment and knocked. When she didn’t immediately answer, he cursed himself for being stupid and called out, “Lucy? It’s Natsu.” Within seconds his ears caught the sound of footsteps. When the door creaked open, it was Virgo who peered out at him.
“Natsu-sama,” the Maiden sounded relieved, opening the door wider for him to enter. She closed and locked it behind him. “I am glad you are here. I shall return to the Celestial Spirit World to gather my strength for the coming conflict.” Virgo bowed to him, her hand over her heart, and vanished.
“Hey, Natsu,” Lucy appeared from the bathroom, her hair damp. Dark circles ringed her eyes. “What’s up?”
Natsu’s throat felt thick. “I just...I need to sleep next to you, tonight.”
Lucy blinked, and Natsu blushed to the roots of his hair. He had not meant to say that. Figuring that he was already screwed, the Dragon Slayer blurted, “I haven’t slept well since we came back from Stella. I just...I keep thinking about what happened. I tried to give you space, but it’s driving me absolutely crazy. I should have been able to protect you, and I couldn’t. Now, Alvarez is all but at our door and I’m - I’m so scared that I won’t be able to protect you again.” Tears welled up in his eyes, and he clenched his fists, annoyed with himself. Why was he crying, when it was Lucy who had endured Zash’s torture?
“I love you,” Natsu choked out. “I’ve known that for a long time now, but I was too scared to tell you. And it’s insane, because as much as I love Fairy Tail - I love our family - my dragon instincts are telling me to take you and run. And I know that makes me a coward, but -”
Lucy’s arms enveloped him, and Natsu buried his face in her hair as he choked on a sob, breathing in her scent . His hands came to clutch at her back, fingers digging into her soft shirt.
“Oh, Natsu,” she whispered. “You know I’ve never blamed you for anything that happened, don’t you?”
He didn’t reply, just clutched her tighter.
“I won’t lie, I still have nightmares about Zash and what happened to me. I thought...well, I thought you were angry with me.” Lucy buried her face in his chest. “I wanted you this whole time, but I was worried about reaching out to you.”
Natsu was stunned. “Why on Earthland would I be mad at you?”
Lucy pulled back, her eyes shining with tears as she gazed up at him. “Well, because Zash had an interest in me because of my dancing at the bar. I had to distract him to give Erza an in to grab his ring, and he cornered me after. I thought...I thought you’d think what had happened was my fault.”
“No!” Natsu didn’t mean to shout, but he was astounded. “Lucy, Zash being a creep is all on him. You can do whatever - and I mean whatever - you want with your body and your clothes, and nothing, ever, gives anyone permission to take advantage of you. Gods, even as a kid Igneel beat that into me. For dragons, a female’s word is law. Males are only in her presence if she allows it.”
Lucy gaped at him. “You - Natsu, that was so well said.”
The Dragon Slayer huffed a strangled laugh. “Hey! I can be serious when it calls for it. And this situation calls for it.” He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes to breathe in her strawberry soap and starlight scent. “I’m not mad at you,” he said quietly. “I could never be.”
“Did you...mean it, then?”
“Mean what?” Natsu opened his eyes to meet her nervous gaze.
“That you...” she blushed. “Do you love me?”
“Gods, Luce,” Natsu fell to his knees, pressing his face against her stomach. His arms were tight around her waist, and Lucy’s hands fell to his shoulders in surprise. “I’ve loved you since Tenroujima. Ever since you smiled at me despite the pain you were in and told me that you’d rather be with me even if it hurt. I’m sorry if I never made it clear to you.”
“I...wondered.” Lucy’s hands came to Natsu’s cheeks, cupping his face and bringing his gaze to hers. She admitted, “I was wondering if that time in Crocus, right after you came back, was a fluke.”
“Never,” Natsu swore, his eyes burning up into hers. “I just...I didn’t know how to tell you how much I had missed you with words. How many times I turned around on Tenrou, hoping you would be there. How many times I woke up, disappointed that I wasn’t surrounded by your scent.”
Holding onto his face, Lucy sank to her knees, too. “I love you, Natsu Dragneel,” she said softly. “And even though what happened to me in Stella can’t just go away, I’m doing what I can to heal. Can you...can you wait for me until then?”
Natsu swore, “I could wait for you forever, Lucy.” He could. He would. Even if it took her a hundred years, Natsu could wait.
Lucy smiled, like she knew exactly what he was thinking. She dropped one of her hands from his face, pressing it against his racing heart. Natsu covered it, feeling the tremors of her injury on his skin. “I’ll protect you, too, Natsu.”
Alvarez came that night.