Natsu's Code

Chapter 8: Tricked

"N-Natsu?"

"Lucy..." Natsu slightly smiled and stumbled over to the group.

"NATSU!" Happy flew into his chest and hugged him.

"Hey buddy..." Natsu patted Happy's head.

"You're hurt!" Wendy cried as she ran to heal him.

"Thanks Wendy..." Natsu sighed.

"What happened man?" Gray asked, concerned.

"I was tricked." Natsu spat. "A man told me he was one of Igneel's old friends. He said Igneel had left me something in a cave west of Magnolia. So I went with him because I wanted to know what it was."

"Natsu, that's not even a logical decision! The man had no proof he knew your dad." Erza face palmed.

"I know Erza, but if your parents had left you something, wouldn't you want to see it?" He asked. Erza looked down and nodded. 

"How did he trick you?" Happy asked.

"Turns out that man worked for Zeref."

"WHAT?!" Everyone cried.

"Shhh!" Natsu hissed. "They're still in there."

"Zeref's...in...there..." Lucy's eyes widened as she tried to wrap her head around that.

"That doesn't explain why you're so wounded." Gray said.

"Who do you think I was fighting?" 

"You fought Zeref?!!!?" Lucy exclaimed.

"Yeah and I almost died in the process." Natsu made a face. "He's pretty strong."

"How did you get out?" Carla asked.

"I felt all of your magic energy, so I ran as fast as I could out of the cave." 

"Wow, that's crazy..." Erza murmured.

"I'm glad you're okay." Happy smiled at Natsu. 

Natsu smiled back. "It's all thanks to Wendy." He patted her on the head.

"No problem." Wendy grinned.

"What do we do now?" Carla asked.

"We run away as fast as we can from Zeref." Lucy suggested.

"No, I wanna continue fighting him." Natsu said.

"Are you crazy?!" Lucy squeaked. "You'll die!"

"Don't you believe in me, Luce?" Natsu looked disappointed.

"Of course I do..." Lucy glanced at him. Their eyes met. She blushed and looked away. "I just don't want you to die..."

Natsu grinned. "What did I tell you? I'm never gonna die!"

"Aye sir!" Happy shouted.

"Fine. Let's do it." Erza requipped.

"Uh, do what, Erza?" Gray asked, confused.

"Fight Zeref." Erza stated.

"You're all crazy!!!" Gray sighed and looked at the lake for a few moments. "You know what, let's do it. I have a bone to pick with Zeref."

Lucy smirked. "As do I. He hurt Natsu, now he's gonna pay..."

"We got this!" Wendy said confidently.

"For Fairy Tail!" Natsu stuck his fist in the air.

"FOR FAIRY TAIL!" Everyone raised their fists and charged into the cave.