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His feet were pounding the pavement. He was sure he was so loud the crowd didn’t even need his shouts of warning to move. Natsu knew exactly what he heard. It sickened him. How dare she. The nerve to threaten his family. To threaten defenseless Asuka. The nerve to threaten his Luce. Natsu knew Lucy would rather take every hit than let Flare touch a hair on Asuka’s head. Frankly, he was not okay with that.
He would not let anyone abuse his teammates, abuse her especially, when he could do something about it.
Finally, the little girl was in his sights. Along with that dreaded magic. That taunting piece of flaming hair was disgusting to gaze upon. Fire magic could be beautiful, warming, this was just ugly.
Natsu had blocked the fight out of his mind. He was entirely focused on reaching Asuka. He almost crashed into the family as he stopped in front of Asuka. Natsu hardly glanced down before the hair was snatched in his fist. He burned it at a moment’s notice.
“You’re in the cle-! “ He froze.
Natsu was too late. Although the family was grateful and Bisca had immediately hugged her precious girl to her chest, the other member’s attention had frozen on the battle.
Lucy’s screams could be heard for miles as the hair burned into her hand. Her guild mark effectively being covered by the brand. She couldn’t hold back the tears at the pain, the frustration. None of this was fair.
Flare was sadistically laughing and Lucy in her agony, chanced a glance at her family. She was fully prepared to see their disappointment and resentment for her willingness. However, her sights caught on someone.
Right next to Asuka was her day one partner. His hands on the ledge, reaching over, she could see his anger from her position in the arena. His body was stiff as his fingers dug into the concrete ledge. Natsu was unbelievably angry at Flare, but at himself mostly. He wasn’t fast enough. He let Lucy down.
Natsu failed Lucy, and his failure was being paid out at the blonde’s expense.
But the battle wasn’t over yet. Lucy realized despite her pain, something else. Natsu was losing it, but he was next to Asuka.
Asuka was safe.
And Lucy had a whole new range of reasons to pound Flare into the ground. Her hand burned, singed from the hair and her skin sizzled. Yeah, this was far from over.
Lucy had at some point sank to the ground in her upset, but she wasn’t done. So, she shakily began to rise, ready to show Raven Tail the issue with crossing Fairy Tail wizards.
Flare’s attention was drawn back to Lucy from her movements, “Aww blondie, you really want more? I have all fun of art I’m ready to imprint on you.” The fiery haired girl began to cackle again. She had already won in her mind. But hey, if the idiot girl in front of her wanted to get knocked around some more- well Flare wouldn’t deny herself the chance to be the abuser for once.
Lucy was enraged. She didn’t care for pleasantries, dignifying Flare with a response.
She drew a single key from her pouch and whispered a single name.
“Gemini.”
The two twins surged forward. All of Lucy’s spirits were well connected with her. They felt her rage through the bond and all of them were waiting to be summoned. The chance to aid Lucy was one they were all grasping for. Lucy was their friend, they all cared deeply for her. Beating this girl was a task they’d all happily take on.
Gemini knew exactly what they’d been summoned for. The spell wouldn’t be easy, and Lucy hadn’t practiced it with them much. However, there was no better moment than now to display it to everyone.
Lucy looked over at her spirits and gave them a nod. With a poof, they transformed into her. Lucy quickly linked hands and started her chant. The surge of power felt in the arena was immense, this spell was not well known.
Fairy Tail who had all been disgusted by Raven Tail’s treatment, leaned in collectively. Few really knew of Lucy’s power, and it was easy for Lucy to get overshadowed by the rambunctious team she associated with. However, they knew the girl was brilliant, and whatever spell she was about to perform, would be just as spectacular.
The stewing in anger paused as the guild eagerly waited for Lucy to shine.
Lucy’s eyes hardened as she finished the chant. This spell well embodied celestial magic. Its beauty well matched by its power.
Urano Metria.
Flare could burn her all she wanted. The burns would heal, the scars could easily be dealt with. Her guild mark would return. However, this, Lucy would never forget. She’d make sure Flare wouldn’t either.
An innocent girl who was not involved in the fight almost got hurt. Lucy would’ve allowed Flare to pluck every hair from her head before she’d risk Asuka’s safety. However, Natsu made sure she would no longer have to stifle herself. So, she’d let Flare have it. Lucy would not forget this fight. The fight where she truly has seen the girl she has become since joining Fairy Tail. Lucy could now proudly protect her family, and whether it was by withstanding Flare or fully fighting back, she was happy to do so.
She wouldn’t forget this fight. That was for certain.
The spell hit.
Flare was down.
Lucy won.
The cheers were ear shattering. The crowd lived for the fight’s excitement and the energy of the games. However, it was not hard to agree that Flare’s treatment was brutal. Physically branding someone was uncomfortable to witness, and Lucy’s pain was felt all over. So, the satisfaction of seeing the girl’s revenge was widely shared.
Lucy fell to her knees once again. Gemini vanished, and tears streaked down her face. Happy tears, Lucy was beyond overjoyed. She thought the fight was over, for she was nowhere near willing to risk Asuka’s safety for a tournament. But Natsu came through and she did her guild proud. The people who mocked Fairy Tail could witness the guild that didn’t quit even after 7 years passed.
Lucy hadn’t noticed anyone’s approach. Then suddenly she felt arms wrap around her middle and she was pulled against a chest. Lucy knew immediately who It was. She easily fell against him in peace.
Her exhaustion was catching up to her, and the burning skin on her hand really did need to be dealt with.
However, she was content to lie against him for the moment. There was no better place, even if it was on a dirt ground in front of thousands of people.
“You were amazing out there Luce. You proved that seven-year gap meant nothing!”
Lucy pulled away and sat on her knees, turning to face Natsu. With her non burnt hand, she grasped one of Natsu’s and gave him a proud smile.
“I’m all fired up now!” Yeah, this tournament would be a piece of cake. The sounds of the crowd faded as it truly seemed to be just Natsu and Lucy. They didn’t even care if Flare was still lying there. Natsu and Lucy were beyond typical teammates. The two shared a bond that they didn’t possess with any other member.
Lucy pulled Natsu up with her. She was the one to bring her arms around him into a hug this time, “Thank you for looking out for me, I truly couldn’t have fun without your assistance there.”
Natsu’s grip on the blonde tightened with the reminder of the dirty trick pulled, “That Raven Tail girl only stood a chance by cheating, and I just helped keep things fair again. That was all you Luce. I’m proud to fight alongside you as a Fairy Tail wizard, you truly are incredible.”
Erza and Gray although they couldn’t hear the two, looked on in amusement. Although nothing was official, they were aware of how their teammates felt about each other. The two just shared a smirk as they knew the oblivious pair would still take a while to fully commit. However, this was a step in the right direction for sure. The celebrations tonight would be filled with energy.