Protecting You [NaLu Fanfic] Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - Loosing It All

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"Elli, duck!" She did as she was told and ducked as a large fireball slammed into the man.


It seemed as though he was on fire, like he should have burned to death already but he stood there, smiling towards the group, and soon the flames started changing colors. It was as though dye had been dropped in water, the color starting strong in the middle then expanding until the flame was a bright white.


"What?" Natsu asked, tilting his head to the side as he watched the man deform his flames, no damage being done at all.


By this time, Elli had made it back to the group, standing in the middle as they stood around her in a protective stance.


"Enjoy my flames!" He shouted as the white fire expanded then seemed to be targeted at one person, Elli. Before anyone could react it hit her.


There was no force of it or burn at all for that matter, Elli looked around, as the others returned the look of confusement. Then, it was if a match was lit, Elli began shaking, the world around her vanishing. She screamed for someone to answer her, but the others just watched, not sure what was happening. Lucy laid her hand on Elli's shoulder and instantly removed it. The flame would burn anyone that it wasn't attached to. Soon, Elli found herself standing at a sidewalk.


"W-what's happening?" As Elli studied her surroundings, she realized she was on the sidewalk in front of the orphanage. As she was turning to walk inside, something ran past her.


"Hey!" She called and stopped as another person ran past, not paying any attention. "Seriously?" She questioned as she ran after the two, until she made it to the square, where a crowd was gathered. She watched as a building erupted into flames.


"Alli! You have to stop!" Elli froze as she heard the voice. How could she hear her own voice say that when she hadn't said anything. She pushed her way through the crowd and sucked in a breath once she saw what was ahead.


It was her, a couple years ago, her long pink hair down to her waist. She was standing opposite of a beautiful girl with bright yellow eyes and pitch black hair. The girl watched the pinknette, small tears running down her face when Elli realized what was happening.


'This is my memories...my worse memory to be specific.' She lifted her head as Alli smiled slightly and the sound of wood cracking made everyone jump.


"Alli, please...don't!" Elli's younger self cried, stepping closer to Alli.


"You always looked prettier with pink hair..." Alli said quietly, as the building collapsed in on itself, falling on top of her.


"ALLI!" Both Elli's shrieked, tears pouring down their faces. Then, once again, as if a match was lit, she was back in the room. It was almost as if no time passed to them, but an entire life could have passed for her.


The white flames disappeared, leaving a wide eyed Elli staring towards the floor.


"Elli? Elli!" Lucy called, gaining back her attention.


"D-don't let his flames touch you! They make you experience your worse memory!" Elli cried, tears still apparent on her cheeks.


"What?" Natsu turned towards them, just as the white flame engulfed him. A second had gone by and the flames were gone. Natsu dropped to his knees, his body covered in sweat.


"N-Natsu?!" Lucy cried, running towards him. He looked up and sighed, as relief had flooded him.


"What do we do?!" Levy asked, Gajeel standing in front of her.


"Leave him to me." Cana blurted, Causing the others to jerk around towards her .


"No! You'll get hurt!" Lucy objected, helping Natsu to his feet.


"I've already lived through my worse memories this entire time while I waited for Gildarts. I've already lost it all! He can throw his worse at me, it won't stop me from saving Carou!" She shouted, throwing smoke cards towards the man. He was caught off guard and stepped back into a wall. "Run! While you've got the chance!" Cana shouted, the others were hesitant but they agreed, and ran towards the large doors.


"You better come back! I don't care if you're hurt, just don't die!" Lucy called, making Cana smirk.


"I haven't done enough living to die today." Cana pulled a small bottle that contained liquid that more than likely was alcohol. "Thanks for this, Elli!" She called, taking a swig. Even though she should have drank the entire thing by now, it remained full, almost as if it hadn't been touched.


As the others neared the door, Lucy stopped, her body trembling.


"Luce? What's wrong?" Natsu asked, his eyes full of concern.


"W-what if she doesn't want to come back? L-like the girl in the story...?" Lucy asked, her eyes making their way around the group until they landed on Natsu's. He was...smiling?


"To think, you'd believe I'd let her stay here? Even if she didn't want to go, we're her parents. She's 2-years old. We have overwhelming authority." Natsu laughed, his hands gripping hers.


"But-"


"No buts. We win here, no matter what." Natsu grinned, a grin she hadn't seen in a while. Before she could stop herself, her lips met his. When she broke apart, he stared at her, wide eyed with blush running across his face.


"Ok!" She said, smiling, causing the others to smile too. They opened the door, and the real fighting began.



NEXT: Chapter 11 - Levy's Comeback