***
No one's POV
It had been only ten minutes since their encounter with the chain mage, Kusari. The team was having little to no luck navigating the layout of Serpent's Wing. It seemed as if they had been running around in circles for hours, passing the occasional Guild member along the way.
"Regulus punch!" Loke chanted for what seemed like the sixth time in a row, punching a dark wizard square in the face before he went flying in the wall. "They just seem to keep coming,"
"They're trying to slow us down," Erza states as the five of them continue travelling the Guild's narrow halls. "Fortunately most of her members aren't much of a challenge."
"Makes you wonder who they really have lined up for us..." The blue exceed commented.
"Whatever it is it can't be good. Feels like they're taunting us, slowly wearing us down." Gray responds, having to freeze a couple of mages multiple times on the spot so the group could keep navigating without interference.
"Well, they ain't tiring me down!"' The dragon slayer proudly exclaims, he was running the fastest of all of them. "If anything Serpent's Wing is just making things more fun!"
Although Natsu had spoken those words for the sake of the team's morale, in truth, he had thought the whole labyrinth of a Guild and weak members popping out every other second was quite the annoyance. I wish it were easy as just finding Luce the second we arrived...
"Look," the Requip mage stops the rest of them and points at a passage to their right. "There's something over there."
Natsu begins to snuff out the area, careful to pick up any hints of Lucy or Luke. "Follow me."
They do so, turning right and eventually passing through another slough of confusing twists and turns, trusting the pinkette's sense of smell to guide them. Eventually the five stop at a set of stairs leading downwards.
"Seems like we're heading in the right direction," Erza states, inspecting the staircase which seemed to lead to the Guild's underground basement. "Good job, Natsu."
He grins. "My nose never fails me!"
They don't take long to trek down the steep steps, each step they took seemed agonizing as all of them could feel they were getting closer to the final battle or at least that's what they hoped. Natsu was once again getting antsy to fight a real opponent, he hadn't kept track of time but it felt as if they'd been within the dark Guild for years without any progress.
Alas, the stairs had a bottom. The atmosphere became darker if that was possible for a Dark Guild, and the hallways became less lit-up with only torches to give them any source of light.
"I surmise we're most likely underground," Erza says as they begin to walk down a dark hallway, the only direction they could've chosen.
"Really...?" Gray replies in astonishment. "Like, under the earth underground?" She nods.
"That's how basements work, ice freak." Natsu retorts, rolling his eyes. Happy snickers in the background.
"That's not what I meant, flame-brain!" The ice-mage angrily retorts, trying to resist the temptation of brawling the dense dragonslayer at that very moment.
"Enough fighting, you two." The scarlet haired mage demands which seemed to shut them right up.
"What Gray means is that it's highly unusual that this basement leads that far underground. After all, we entered at the midsection of a fairly high mountain." Loke explains, pushing the bridge of his glasses to his nose.
"Huh..." Natsu thinks about it for a moment. "That does seem far down!"
"Aye, sir..."
They continue waking after that, falling into the same routine as before, except there weren't as many wizards jumping at the chance to attack them at any moment.
Wow, Natsu thought to himself whilst running along with the rest of them. This underground-area is more confusing than its ground level! Seems like this place belongs in a circus or something...
"Hng," The lion spirit suddenly grunted and fell behind, causing the others to get startled and turn towards him.
Loke was leaning against the nearest wall, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
"Loke...?!" All four of them gasp at the sight of their weakened friend.
The spirit begins to flicker, losing his solid form. "Something's wrong." And with that Loke disappears, leaving the room with a deadly and stunning silence.
"What the..." Natsu stared at the empty spot where Loke once was it shock. The urgency of the mission suddenly coming back to him—what're we doing running around endlessly like buffoons?? We need to rescue Lucy and her son quickly!!
"We need to move faster," Erza announces loudly, breaking the deafening quiet in the room. The same sense of urgency was in her voice as in Natsu's thoughts.
"Seems like our plans had already taken effect." A sudden voice booms, drawing the attention of the Fairytail mage's who attempt to seek out the direction of which it was coming from.
Natsu began to sniff the air. I don't recognize that scent—two scents—most likely enemies.
"Show yourself, you cowards!"
Two figures emerge from their hiding spots, a male and female duo. Both mages belonging to Serpent's Wing --a guild mark on the dark-haired female's exposed torso, and one on the forearm of the blue-haired male.
"It's too late to stop our plans now you pesky Fairies." The girl comments, her stance becoming threatening as if she was ready for a fight.
"Natsu, Happy, go on without us," Erza commands, her eyes heavily focused on the two opponents. "Gray and I will handle them. You two save Lucy and Luke."
"Bu-"
"You heard her, flame brain. We can handle this." The ice-make mage interupts.
"Ya, but-" Natsu had a second of doubt, unwilling to leave more friends behind. We could take care of them quicker with all four of us.
"GO."
Natsu didn't need to be told for the third time. Erza's stern voice was proof of that. Within the second Happy had grabbed Natsu by the hem of his vest and they safely continued on. Erza and Gray's enemies didn't seem to mind, itching for a one on one fight of their own.
***
The newly added keys seem to glow in place. Meaning any celestial spirit outside its gate had been forced to return. Lucy stared weakly at Luke's keys, knowing it was the sign that they had lost.
"Open the gate." Aizen began to urge the two celestial mages, on their knees across from one another within the magical runes and keys set up. Aizen was getting impatient, in his mind his plan was justified and he could see now issue arising at this point, after all, now he finally had all the pieces. "The gate, the twelve keys, two strong celestial wizards. I have it all. You will obey!" Aizen frustratingly yells whilst Yukino and Lucy give each other looks of unease.
The last time we had been in this situation we were never forced. It was about the greater good, now...this just feels wrong. Lucy began thinking about the predicament in her mind, over and over. As well as the outcome of this endeavour. On the other hand...If Yukino and I were to open the gate for him, wouldn't the Spirit King me on our side?
Lucy's eyes caught Yukino's and they both seemed to be in agreement. They nodded to each other. They were both on the same page. Despite what Aizen claims--the King is on his side, the two celestial mages tasked with completing the ritual thought otherwise. Perhaps the nightmare could end with the opening to the celestial spirit realm.
The blonde links her hands with the white-haired mage, their eyes closed in concentration, their foreheads pressed together. We'll do this to end the madness.
Aizen grinned at them, realizing the two were starting the ceremony. He was pleasantly surprised that they hadn't put up more of a fight. On the other hand, the blonde brat had other opinions.
"No...!" Luke screamed while kicking and screaming in the arms of the dark wizard. "D-don't do it!" It took all of Lucy's willpower to ignore her son's pleads. "Y-you can't!!!" His words became a jumbled mess as tears ran down his face and snot from his nose.
Her eyes still shut, Lucy gave in and responded. "Everything will be alright, Luke," She answers softly, wanting to be strong for the sake of her seven-year-old. "I love you."
***
Natsu's POV
It's just me and Happy at this point, the scenery hasn't changed much. There was no windows or other sources of outdoor light, everything was dark lit—which was fine since I was relying on my sense of smell anyway. I could easily smell Luce, she was here.
Her enriching scent was close by and that angered me. What I was more angered by was my carelessness which resulted in Luke getting kidnapped as well—for some reason had this strong urge to protect that kid.
"Wow," Happy spoke up after awhile of flying alongside me. "I wonder how deep underground we are, considering this Guild is built in a mountain."
"Tch, I don't care about that." My mind felt only focused on my goal, which was to save the two blonde damsel in distresses'. Although I can admit that this basement area is huge.
"You, know Natzu..." the blue exceed says, using the same voice he'd use to constantly taunt Lucy. "It's funny. Luke must've been rubbing off on you during such a short period of time,"
"Hm?"
"Since you've been spending so much time together you act so much alike—he even has your appetite for food!"
Ya, that's true. But it doesn't surprise me a seven year old would enjoy eating, I mean who wouldn't?
"What'd that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing~"
***
Ending the chapter a little shorter than planned because I wanted to publish this soon ;-;
Sorry for the slow burn that is Natsu and Lucy's reunion :P it is coming!!