Chapter Text
Somewhere in the FairyTail guild hall
"I need some money. Natsu spent the entire check we recently got from killing the Loc Ness monster in Scotlandia, and I have to pay rent in a few days!" The blondie says, getting more agitated as she worries about the deadline. She then glances at the job board thats been empty for days now and sighs.
"Aww, don't worry Lucy. While we wait for jobs to come in, why don't you go out and ask for jobs around town. I am sure someone will be in need of some assistance." A white haired woman says with a calming tone.
"You know what, you're right Mira. There is no way nobody needs help." Lucy gets up and gets ready to walk around looking for jobs. "Thanks Mira, you always know how to help."
"No problem Lucy, Just don't forget to bring Natsu with you!" The white haired woman says as she waves at Lucy. "Best of luck" she adds while giving the blonde a small smile.
The blondie starts walking around town when she spots a familiar pink haired dragon slayer with his blue companion. "Hey!....Natsu, Happy!" She says while running towards the male.
"Oh, hey Lucy. What's up!" The male says while looking at the short blonde. He couldn't help but smile when he sees her.
"Hey Luwshee" The blue cats says with a fish in his mouth.
"Hey, I was going to ask if you two wanted to tag along in helping find a job. Since you decided to spend our money on FOOD!!!" She says with emphasis.
"Haha, it was worth every penny...man now I'm hungry." He says with a pout.
"Me too!" Happy says as he holds the bones of the once whole fish.
"It was worth it in the moment but now we're flat-out broke! and I need to pay the landlord lady before she kicks me out!" Lucy says as she starts imagining the look on the landlord lady's face when she didn't pay rent 2 months ago. She gets a chill down her spine.
"Okay Okay!, we'll help you out. why don't we go down to the city square. I betya' there is going to be lot's of jobs!" The dragon slayer says with excitement. "Man, it feels like we haven't been on a job together in so long."
"Natsu. It's only been 2 weeks." She says as she hints at him being dramatic.
"I know but that seems so long ago" He says in retaliation.
"Whatever, let's head out before it gets dark" Lucy says as she begins on her treck to the city square with Natsu following closely behind.
City Square
"Wow... It looks so different from the last time I was here." Lucy says in awe as she gazes around at her surroundings.
"That's cause the annual Magnolia Guild parade is coming up in a few days. They always put up decorations a week before so that they don't procrastinate later" Natsu says as he admires Lucy. He watches as her eyes glow while she looks around. It's something that he noticed a few years back when he met Lucy. She always has a glow in her eyes when she sees something that catches her eye. "Why don't we stop by the bar, I'm sure some drunk guy will be causing some trouble and we can get some food while we're there" Natsu proposes as he eyes the stack of ribs from the bar window. He's almost drooling at the sight.
"Sure, why not. I'm getting a bit hungry to now that you mention it." Lucy says.
"you sure lucy...we wouldn't want you to weigh more they you already do!" Happy says with a chuckle. Natsu also chuckles at Happy's little comment.
"Very funny cat" Lucy says in annoyance.
"Okay, lets go!" Natsu says in excitement and turns to grab lucy's hand. She obligees and together they walk to the bar.
Bad Piggies Bar and Grill
Lucy sits at the bar, poring over a stack of overdue rent notices. Natsu and Happy sit across from Lucy, enthusiastically devouring a mountain of food. A shadow falls over their table as a cloaked figure approaches.
Mysterious figure begins to speak: “Excuse me... Are you Lucy Heartfilia and Natsu Dragneel? The figure says in a low raspy voice.
Lucy then glances up warily and answers the figure “Who’s asking?".
The figure suddenly slides a scroll onto the table. “I represent a private contractor. We require skilled mages for a delicate matter. The reward is... substantial.”
"How much we talking" Lucy says in suspicion.
The scroll unfurls, revealing an enormous payment sum. Lucy’s eyes widen, but her instincts kick in.
Lucy looks up at the figure and continues: “What’s the catch?”
The figure faintly smiles at her and responds. “No catch. Just a straightforward job retrieving a relic from a nearby village. It’s well within your abilities.” The client turns to leave, and walks away. Fading into the crowd.
Lucy frowns slightly while reading the job details and begins to speak “This doesn’t make sense. It says the client’s name is Kaelis, but I’ve never heard of them. And they want us to retrieve something from a temple on the outskirts of town. Why wouldn’t they send a stronger team if it’s that important?". Lucy continues in a whisper “It feels too easy...”
Natsu, overhearing, grabs the scroll. “Who cares about that? It’s a job, Lucy! We’re gonna get paid, eat well, and maybe even take a vacation after! Think of all the meat I can buy with the money!”
Lucy shakes her head, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she closes the job request and slips it into her bag. She can’t help but admire Natsu’s ability to stay optimistic, no matter how strange things seem. “I guess so. But we should still be careful. This could be more than we’re prepared for.”
Natsu throws an arm around Lucy's shoulder. "Come on, Lucy! What’s the worst that could happen? We’ll beat it up, get the job done, and head back to Magnolia for a nice big meal! You worry too much!”
The warmth of Natsu’s casual confidence eases some of Lucy’s lingering doubts. She looks at him, a small but genuine smile forming on her face. She’s used to his reckless nature, and as much as it sometimes drives her crazy, she can’t deny that it’s part of why she trusts him. Lucy grins. “I’ll hold you to that meal. Let’s go, then.”
A rickety train heading out of Magnolia, the countryside rolling past the windows.
The two of them make their way to the station, the early morning air crisp and refreshing as they leave the guild behind. The train ride is peaceful at first, the landscape rolling by in the distance, with no sign of the trouble to come. Lucy watches the world pass by, her thoughts occasionally drifting back to the job. It’s easy to feel at ease now, but she knows better than to let her guard down too soon.
“You really need to get over this motion sickness thing. What if we have to ride a cart into the village?” Lucy says while looking at Natsu who is at the verge of spilling his guts out.
Natsu answers the blonde saying, "Don’t even joke about that..."
Natsu (grinning as he watches her stare out the window) speaks out “What’s on your mind, Lucy? You’re acting like you’re planning something.”
Lucy sighs. “I’m just thinking. This job... it feels too easy. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I can’t shake the feeling something’s off.”
“Nah, you’re just worried. It’ll be fine! We’ve got this, right?” Natsu says, Getting queasier by the second. (I think the spell that Wendy put on me is wearing off)
Natsu’s unwavering confidence is infectious, and Lucy feels herself relaxing slightly. But she can’t ignore the nagging feeling at the back of her mind that something about this mission doesn’t add up. Lucy can't help but smile even wider at the latter's words. ( Whenever he says things like that, I can't help but feel my heart beat pump faster. I just hope he feels the same way about me). She turns to look at Natsu, his carefree grin in place, and for a moment, she wonders if she’s the only one who feels like there’s more to this job than meets the eye.
In the next car, two passengers exchange whispers, their eyes fixed on Natsu and Lucy.
A desolate train station surrounded by dense woods, eerie and silent.
Natsu and Lucy step off the train, the quiet rustling of leaves in the wind the only sound that accompanies them as they make their way toward their destination. The temple is perched atop a steep hill, hidden by the trees that encircle it like a natural fortress. A sense of unease hangs in the air, the temperature dropping noticeably as they approach. Lucy can’t shake the feeling that something is off. The woods are eerily quiet, too quiet. There are no birds, no sounds of animals, just the whisper of wind through the trees. The path is well-worn, but there’s an unsettling stillness about it. She looks at Natsu, who is walking ahead with his usual energy, his bright pink hair standing out against the green backdrop of the forest. He’s whistling as he goes, oblivious to the strange atmosphere.
Lucy again thinks “This doesn’t feel right...”
She adjusts the strap of her bag and takes a deep breath, trying to shake the feeling that she’s being watched. There’s no immediate danger, but the deeper they go into the forest, the more her instincts scream that something isn’t right.
Natsu stops up ahead, his hands resting on his hips as he looks back at her, still grinning. “Hurry up, Lucy! This job is gonna be a piece of cake! We’ll be done in no time!”
His voice is cheerful, but Lucy can see the way his eyes dart around, the tension in his shoulders that he’s trying to mask with his usual bravado. It’s as if even he senses that something isn’t quite right, though he’s too proud to admit it.
Lucy catches up with Natsu, but she can’t help feeling a growing knot in her stomach. The temple looms ahead, its silhouette barely visible through the dense trees. There’s a heaviness in the air, and the further they go, the more the forest feels like it’s closing in on them. Her fingers instinctively brush the celestial keys at her waist, the familiar cold metal grounding her thoughts.
“Do you feel it, Natsu? The air... it’s thick with magic. Something feels off.” Lucy says with a hint of concern.
Natsu looks at her, his grin faltering for a brief moment. He studies her face for a second, his brow furrowing in concern, but then he shakes his head and grins again. “It’s just your imagination, Lucy! We’ve been through worse, right? Besides, we’re here to grab a relic, not fight anything. Just stay close, and everything will be fine!”
Lucy’s brow furrows slightly, but she doesn’t press the issue. She knows Natsu’s nature—he doesn’t like to dwell on danger, and his optimism is part of what keeps them going in tough situations. But deep down, she knows that sometimes, optimism isn’t enough.
The path leads them to a set of large, crumbling stone steps, which wind upward to the temple entrance. The temple itself is ancient, its once-grand architecture now overrun with ivy and moss. There’s a strange aura around the place—an unsettling mix of beauty and decay. The carvings on the stone walls are intricate, but they’ve been worn down by centuries of exposure to the elements. Despite its grandeur, the temple feels abandoned, as though it’s been waiting for someone—or something—for a long time.
Lucy steps up to the first step, her foot hesitant. The air around the temple seems to thicken with every step she takes. There’s a strange weight to the silence. No birds, no animals, just the quiet rustling of the wind. It feels as though the entire forest is holding its breath. Her heart starts to race, but she pushes the fear down, focusing on the task at hand.
Lucy (to herself): “This isn’t right. Why would anyone leave a relic here? And why did the client send us...?”
Natsu’s voice cuts through her thoughts as he bounds ahead, completely unfazed by the ominous atmosphere. “This place is awesome! It’s like something out of a storybook!”
Lucy can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, but the smile doesn’t reach her eyes. She feels a twinge of guilt for worrying so much—Natsu is right, they’ve faced worse—but something in the pit of her stomach refuses to let go. Her thoughts are interrupted when Natsu stops abruptly at the temple’s entrance, his face growing serious for the first time.
Natsu's eyes narrow. “Wait... something’s off.”
Lucy’s heart skips a beat as she looks at him, finally registering the tension in his posture. For the first time, Natsu looks uncertain.
A chill sends a shiver down Lucy's spine, “What is it?”
Natsu doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he looks at the massive wooden doors of the temple, which stand ajar as though inviting them in. The air around the entrance seems to hum with an unseen energy. He steps forward, his hand resting on the doorframe, but then he pulls back as if something is pushing against him.
Natsu grimaces, “I don’t know. It feels like there’s magic here... dark magic.”
Lucy’s heart races as she takes a step closer to him, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious. The temperature around them drops, and the trees behind them seem to bend inward, as though watching. The stillness of the forest is unsettling, and she can’t shake the feeling that they’re being drawn into something much bigger than just a simple relic hunt.
Lucy voice starts to tremble, “Maybe we should go back... get backup.”
Natsu turns to her, his usual grin reappearing, but it’s tinged with something darker now—a quiet determination. “No way. We came here to finish the job, and that’s what we’re going to do. Just stay close, Lucy. I’ve got your back.”
A guardian in the temple
The further they go, the darker it gets. The corridor they follow becomes narrower, the air growing colder with each step. Finally, they reach a large chamber, its ceiling stretching high above them, lost in shadow. In the center of the room, on a stone pedestal, sits the relic—a small, glowing orb encased in a delicate silver cage. The orb pulses with a faint, eerie light, casting strange reflections across the walls. The room is empty, save for the relic and the creeping shadows that seem to move of their own accord.
Lucy steps forward, her eyes drawn to the glowing orb. It’s beautiful in a way, but something about it sends a chill down her spine. She knows it’s the object they were sent to retrieve, but there’s something else—something she can’t quite put her finger on. The way the shadows seem to twist around the pedestal, the way the air feels charged, it’s as if the relic itself is alive.
Lucy (whispering): “This is it... but why does it feel so... wrong?”
Natsu, oblivious to Lucy’s growing unease, strides toward the pedestal with a grin, clearly eager to get the job done. “Looks easy enough! Just grab the orb, and we’re done. We’ll be back at the guild in no time!”
As Natsu reaches out to take the orb, a sudden pulse of dark energy fills the room. The shadows around the pedestal seem to shift, coiling like living tendrils, and the temperature in the chamber drops drastically. The ground shakes slightly, sending a ripple through the air. Lucy’s heart races, and she instinctively reaches for Natsu’s arm to stop him.
“Natsu, wait! Something’s wrong! I told you this wasn’t just a simple job!” Lucy yells out.
Natsu’s hand hovers inches from the orb, but he stops at Lucy’s touch. His confident grin falters as he looks at her, his eyes narrowing as he senses the change in the air. “What’s happening?”
Before Lucy can respond, the ground beneath them cracks, and a deep, guttural growl rumbles from the shadows. The room is suddenly filled with the sound of distant footsteps—no, not footsteps, something else. Something large, something alive. The shadows seem to pull together in the center of the room, forming a shape—an enormous creature, half-human, half-beast, with glowing eyes that burn with an unnatural fire.
Lucy's breath catches in her throat. The thing before them is no mere illusion. It’s real—an ancient guardian, summoned by the power of the relic. She recognizes the creature’s shape from ancient texts—something that was meant to guard sacred relics, not let them be taken.
The creature growls again, its massive form looming over them. It’s covered in dark, scaled armor, and its claws gleam in the dim light. The shadows around it writhe as though alive, responding to its every movement. Natsu immediately takes a step forward, ready to fight, but Lucy grabs his arm, her face pale with fear.
Lucy yells urgently, “Natsu, don’t! We can’t fight this thing without knowing more about it! This is what I was afraid of! The relic—it’s cursed!”
Natsu turns to her, his face serious for the first time. The usual fire in his eyes is dimmed by the gravity of the situation, but he doesn’t hesitate for long. Gritting his teeth he replies "We’ll deal with it, Lucy. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ve got this!”
With a fierce yell, Natsu rushes toward the creature, flames igniting around his fists. Lucy watches, heart in her throat, as he charges at the massive beast, his confidence unwavering despite the odds stacked against him. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the battle to come.
She pulls out her celestial keys, preparing herself for whatever comes next. She may not be able to match Natsu’s raw power, but she knows she can support him. Together, they can handle whatever this cursed relic has summoned.
The room trembles as the massive guardian steps forward, its claws scraping the stone floor with a sound that echoes through the chamber. The air is thick with dark energy, the shadows twisting like serpents around the creature. Its eyes burn with an unnatural fire, and it growls low in its throat, a deep rumble that vibrates the very walls of the temple. The relic, still pulsing with its eerie glow, seems to draw power from the guardian, as though they are one and the same.
Natsu stands at the ready, his fists already engulfed in flames. The fire in his eyes matches the intensity of the battle ahead. Despite the creature’s size and the overwhelming aura of darkness, Natsu grins like it’s just another challenge.
“You picked the wrong people to mess with!” Natsu says in confidence.
With a roar, Natsu charges forward, flames blazing around him as he aims a punch directly at the creature’s chest. But the guardian is fast—too fast. It swipes its massive claw in an arc, sending a wave of dark energy toward Natsu, forcing him to leap back just in time. The force of the blow leaves cracks in the floor, and the room shakes violently. “Alright, you want to play rough? Fine by me!”
Natsu’s flames intensify, surrounding him like a protective barrier as he launches himself at the guardian again. He punches the air with fiery force, sending blasts of flame toward the creature’s legs. The flames singe the guardian’s dark armor, but it barely flinches. “Come on, you overgrown lizard! Show me what you’ve got!”
Lucy steps forward, her hands shaking as she clutches her keys. She’s not a fighter like Natsu, but she knows she has to help. The situation is too dangerous for her to just stand by. She calls upon her first celestial spirit—Leo, the Lion. “Open, the Gate of the Lion! Leo!”
With a flash of golden light, Leo materializes, his majestic form appearing in the room. He looks at Lucy with a determined expression, ready to fight by her side. “Lucy, I’m here! Let’s take this thing down together!” Leo says as he bows.
Lucy nods, feeling a surge of strength from having her spirits with her. She looks toward Natsu, who is still locked in battle with the guardian.
“We need to keep the guardian distracted. We can’t let it focus on Natsu. He’s too close to the relic!”
Leo roars in agreement and charges toward the guardian, his golden mane flowing like a fiery banner. The guardian snarls and swipes at him with its massive claws, but Leo dodges, using his speed and agility to stay one step ahead. He leaps into the air and delivers a powerful strike with his claws, causing the guardian to stagger back, growling in pain.
Natsu takes advantage of the opening and lands a fiery punch directly into the guardian’s side, sending a shockwave through the room. The guardian lets out an agonized roar, its dark energy flickering as if it’s weakening. “That’s more like it!”
Lucy, still standing on the sidelines, watches with a mix of awe and worry. She knows Natsu is giving it everything he’s got, but she can see the toll the battle is taking on him. His attacks are getting slower, and the guardian is far from finished.
The guardian seems to grow stronger with each attack, its dark aura swelling like a storm. It’s not just a physical battle—it’s a battle of willpower. The more Natsu and Leo fight, the more the relic seems to pulse with energy, as if it’s feeding the creature. Lucy’s eyes widen as she realizes the connection.
“The relic! It’s the source of its power! We have to destroy it!” she whispers
Lucy’s mind races. She knows that if they don’t destroy the relic, the guardian will only get stronger. She looks at Leo who struggles to defend off the attacks of the guardian and she returns him back to his key. She then looks at Natsu who is charging up for his next attack. There’s no time to waste.
Lucy calls out to Natsu: “Natsu, the relic! It’s feeding the guardian! We have to destroy it!”
A new foe
Natsu, breathing heavily but still full of fire, looks over at Lucy. His eyes narrow as he processes her words. He understands immediately, But before he could do anything. A figure emerges from the shadows: A rogue mage named Kaelis. Dressed in dark robes adorned with glowing runes, Kaelis holds a staff crackling with energy.
Kaelis begins to speak in a mocking voice. “Ah, the famous Fairy Tail wizards. You actually took the bait! How reckless of you!"
“We’re destroying the relic and leaving. Don’t make this harder on yourself.” Lucy says as she grabs her whip.
"Harder? You misunderstand. This was all for you.” Kaelis says in an egotistical manner.
Kaelis waves his staff, and the glyphs on the walls flare. The guardian then disappears as chains of light shoot out, separating Natsu and Lucy. A magical barrier forms around Lucy, trapping her, while Natsu is left free to fight.
“Natsu, don’t! It’s a trap!” Lucy says as she bangs on the barrier.
“Listen to her, Dragneel. Or perhaps you’d prefer to watch her suffer?” Kaelis says, expecting the latter to get angry.
Kaelis raises his staff, and the barrier begins to constrict around Lucy, making her gasp for air.
“Let her go!” Natsu says. Now enraged by the mages actions.
Natsu lunges at Kaelis, fists blazing with fire, but Kaelis counters with a powerful spell that sends him crashing into a wall.
Kaelis continues with the same mockery as before. “You’re all brawn and no brain. That’s why this is so delicious. Your recklessness will destroy her.”
Lucy, struggling within the barrier, watches in horror. She knows Kaelis is baiting Natsu into wasting his energy, but she’s helpless to intervene.
Lucy begins to shout at Natsu. “Natsu, stop! Think for once!”
Natsu, not listening to his blonde friend, ignites his flames once more. “I’ll burn you to ashes!”
Kaelis laughs, creating illusions of Lucy within the barrier, each one crying out in pain. Natsu falters, unable to tell which is real.
Lucy focuses her energy, summoning one of her celestial spirits despite the barrier. A golden key materializes in her hand, and she calls forth Virgo.
"How may I help you princess" Virgo says as she bows in front of Lucy.
“Virgo, dig through the floor under the barrier!” Lucy says impatiently.
Virgo nods, tunneling quickly. As the barrier weakens, Lucy whispers a plan to her spirit.
Meanwhile, Natsu continues his fiery assault, forcing Kaelis to focus on him. Kaelis unleashes a wave of dark magic that nearly overwhelms Natsu, but he refuses to fall.
“Why do you keep fighting? She’s already lost!” Kaelis says in anger.
Natsu grins, “Because she’s counting on me.”
Lucy’s plan works—Virgo collapses the floor beneath the barrier, breaking Kaelis’s concentration. Lucy is freed, and she summons Aquarius from the puddle of water near the entrance of the room. The celestial spirit appears in anger as she turns to yell at Lucy.
"I was on a date you turd, What did I tell you about summoning me!!" Aquarius says in frustration.
"I know, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just need your help right now." Lucy says in desperation.
"You owe me later." Aquarious says with a stern look. The celestial spirit floods the chamber with a torrent of water, forcing Kaelis onto the defensive.
Lucy shouts out, “Now!”
“You got it!” Natsu replies.
Combining their powers, Lucy uses Aquarius’s water to amplify Natsu’s flames, creating a massive steam explosion that disorients Kaelis.
As Kaelis stumbles, Lucy charges forward with her whip, wrapping it around his staff and yanking it away. Natsu follows up with a devastating Fire Dragon Iron Fist, sending Kaelis crashing into the altar.
Kaelis tries to rise, but the relic’s magic begins to backlash, consuming him.
“You... don’t understand what you’ve done... This is bigger than you...” Kaelis says in a weakened state.
The room starts to collapse as the relic’s energy destabilizes.
Natsu grabs Lucy, and sprints toward the exit, dodging falling debris and magical explosions. Aquarius creates a water barrier to shield them as they narrowly escape the collapsing temple.
A train heading back to Magnolia.
The evening sky is painted with streaks of orange and purple, and the rhythmic clatter of the train provides a soothing backdrop. Natsu and Lucy sit across from each other in a quiet car, their clothes tattered and covered in soot and dirt from the battle. The tension from the mission has faded, but the weight of their experience lingers. Lucy leans against the window, staring out at the countryside, her celestial keys jingling softly at her hip. Natsu slouches in his seat, arms crossed, looking uncharacteristically thoughtful. Happy dozes in the seat beside him, snoring lightly.
Lucy breaks the silence: “That was... close.”
Natsu grins faintly: “Too close. But we made it. Told you punching works.”
Lucy chuckles, but her laugh is tinged with exhaustion. “Yeah, but we wouldn’t have gotten out if we didn’t think. We need to balance that out more.”
Natsu leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You’re right. I should’ve listened more. If something had happened to you...”
Lucy glances at him, surprised by the seriousness in his tone. “Hey, don’t start blaming yourself. You kept us alive back there. And besides...” she continues as she smiles softly “I trust you, Natsu. I always do.”
Natsu’s face softens, and for a moment, there’s a quiet understanding between them.
Lucy pulls out her journal, flipping to a fresh page. She begins sketching the sigil they saw on the mercenaries’ cloaks, her brow furrowed. “That symbol... It’s connected to something bigger. Kaelis mentioned this was ‘bigger than us.’ What do you think he meant?”
Natsu shrugs at the latter, “Doesn’t matter. If they come after us again, we’ll just take ‘em down.”
Lucy sighs, “You’re impossible.”
Happy stirs, yawning. “Does this mean we’re taking another job soon?”
Lucy replies, “Let’s at least get home first. I need a bath, a nap, and maybe a month off.”
As the train pulls into Magnolia, Lucy notices a familiar figure standing on the platform—the mysterious figure who gave them the job. They’re watching the train intently but slip into the crowd before Lucy can point them out.
“Did you see that?” Lucy says with a frown.
“See what?” Natsu says in confusion.
“Never mind... It’s probably nothing.” She says hesitantly.
The train disappears into the station, leaving the sense that their adventure is far from over.