Thank you all for your reviews! I'll respond to them down the bottom. The awaited Part 2 is now here!

I didn't really know where to go with this half, honestly. I don't think it quite caught what I wanted it to... but I'm hoping that the saying "you are your worst critic" is the case here .

Anyway, I'll rant more after. I don't own the characters of Natsu, Lucy and Jude, though I've twisted them somewhat.

Natsu snapped. His eyes hardened and changed. The gold that was previously just specks, punctuating his onyx eyes, had now expanded to become the dominant colour; the pupils of the eyes had narrowed and looked more reptilian.

The party goers suddenly shouted and scrambled back as they spotted more obvious changes in the appearance of this strange, now angry, boy. Fear arose in the crowd as they watched sections of Natsu's skin, darken, redden and crack, giving the appearance of scales on his arms and hands, and framing his face. His already prominent canines extended further and sharpened, his hands took on a claw-like appearance.

Natsu's expression could only be described as feral. He took a step forward, one of his hands unconsciously half reaching towards Lucy.

"You have no idea who you're threatening, King." He growled, his voice low and threatening. "Let go of Lucy and I'll leave. But she asked me to take her with me, and I plan on giving her everything she asks for, so I promise that she is not staying here, no matter what you think."

King Jude took a step back and hesitated as he thought through his options. This boy was dangerous but he felt mostly safe in the middle of his castle, surrounded by guards. Besides, his daughter was too major a tool in his game of politics to give up easily. He pulled her back with him, refusing the request of the scaled boy.

Natsu noticed. He let out another roar. In the echoing silence immediately after, the first sound that could be heard was the sound of fabric tearing. Natsu's fancy shirt tore easily, the expensive fabric thin and flimsy, as impressive wings unfurled from his back. They were a dragons wings; dark red and spiny. He'd decided to let this stupid man know exactly who he was dealing with.

"My name is Natsu Dragneel. My father is Igneel, king of the Fire Dragons. I don't care whether you're a king or what, I won't let you hurt her and trust me, you don't want to mess with dragons!"

Lucy felt the grip on her arm relax. It seemed to have finally sunk in to her father's head who and what Natsu was. He might even actually be afraid. Very few people wouldn't be. She wasn't, but that was because she knew that Natsu would never, ever hurt her. Before King Jude could regain his composure, she ripped her arm free of his hold, reaching her other arm towards Natsu's already outstretched hand. With a quick and smooth motion, he grabbed her hand in his and pulled her towards him, briefly hugging her to his chest before letting her face her father.

Natsu smirked and relaxed as he watched the woman he loved. It had taken him way too long to realise he loved her; so long he'd nearly let her get married off to some unknown. He was definitely glad he'd shown up today. And she never failed to impress him. She'd managed to snatch a sword from a stunned guard as he'd pulled her from the king, and she was holding it with a skill few knew she possessed. Of course, he knew, and he was damn proud of it. He had helped teach her to fight and defend herself, along with her favourite knight, Erza. Erza was unfortunately away on patrol at the moment. She'd not only been the only person to assist Lucy escape the castle, but had also entirely accepted Natsu as Lucy's friend. She'd really been the one to train Lucy in sword play, but that was a whole other story.

Lucy watched as the guards faltered. Now they were pointing weapons at the royal princess; and she was pointing one back. She felt safe, though. She had Natsu at her back. She leaned back into him slightly, feeling his warmth lending her support. She knew his body well, and even in their current situation, couldn't help but think inappropriate thoughts about his sculpted abdomen and seductive grin… Okay, that was enough of that. Definitely neither the time nor the place.

"Princess Lucy," King Jude had quickly gathered his thoughts and was now speaking. "you probably see this as some sort of childish game to spite me. You will quickly get bored of this 'adventure' you're having and miss the ease of life in the palace." Lucy scowled at him. He was calling her a spoiled brat, but he was phrasing it in a way that kept face in front of the crowd. "Additionally, you are my daughter, and I am not willing to so easily give you up." Meaning she was much to important a pawn in his game. "I can not act now as you have somehow trained a wild animal as your pet, but do not think that I will rest easy while you stay away from your home." He wasn't going to let her go willingly. He would send people after them.

Lucy could hear Natsu behind her muttering some objection to being called a pet, however she was relieved to find he didn't snap back something insulting. She turned her head to look up at her dragon. She didn't bother responding to her father, opting to explain exactly what he meant to Natsu later. Instead she simply whispered, "Let's go, Natsu."

He flashed her the toothy, lopsided grin that she loved so much before wrapping his arms around her and holding her close against his body. "Hold on tight" he muttered back and she responded willingly, holding her claimed sword carelessly against his back, knowing that it would barely injury his toughened skin. Rolling his shoulders back, Natsu stretched out his wings and gave them a few test beats.

The dragon boy in the middle of the room lifted a hand, pointing it towards the roof. The castle hall was filled with screams and panic as fire appeared from nowhere, engulfing his hand for a second, before a large fireball was shot through the ceiling. Before anyone had time to react properly, powerful wings beat, lifting two people through the newly created hole, and disappearing from sight.

It's amazing what the right Public Relations team can convince a country of, even when there were direct witnessing. Within a week, the accepted story was that a magic-wielding criminal had somehow crashed the king's party and kidnapped his daughter against her will. Bounties were out for her safe return and the criminal's head. There were still some who said that the princess had left by choice, but these whispered remarks were quickly hushed. King Jude sat in his palace, caring little for his missing child. He would allow her to have her fun for a while, but he would bring her back when he needed her. What he didn't realise was that would prove much harder than he could ever imagine.

So, I'm sorry there's no fight scene, and there's no proper NaLu stuff! It's sort of more a prologue style than anything else? And it's likely I'll eventually write another fic stemming from this, but I've got too many other ideas floating around at the moment. I get distracted way too easily.

ANYWAY review responses!

Sara: Shots fired! Shit sort of got real? The royal guards are a bit useless, honestly.

Black Starry Dragco: Here it is! Hope you like it!

Hope: Thank you! Glad you thought it was cute :3

fanficlove2014: Thank you! I have this pretty specific idea in my head of what Natsu and Lucy's relationship looks like, and I think I got it down pretty well. I just think they would know each other inside-out and have complete trust in one another. But your comment made me happy :D

Child: *screams back* Thank you! I love these AUs so I'm really glad you like it! I am devious *mwahaha* but it's mostly because that was roughly the halfway point? I'm really happy that you think the characters are done well and naturally! That's probably my biggest fear!

Anne-Marie: I hope you like it! Sorry if it seems a little anti-climactic...

kat5552: I'm glad you share my likes! I hope it was what you wanted!

agnytepetr: THANK YOU! I'm sorry if I took too long! I got distracted with other story ideas... I can't focus for long...

Dark Shining Light: They are the best! Let me know if you've written any or know of any awesome ones! I'd love to get more inspiration! Hope I haven't kept you waiting for too long!

BlackKat17: It's out now! :D less than 12 hours after you asked! Thanks for the reminder to finish! Otherwise I may have forgotten... :P

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I love getting reviews! It's such a huge boost to the self-esteem of a new writer! It really helps keep me inspired and wanting to write! Again, sorry if this half is a little anti-climatic... I think it's a bit clunkier than the first chapter. Maybe I rushed it? But I hope you liked it anyway!

If you're lucky, I might do a short thing about what happened to Natsu & Lucy immediately after fleeing the castle at some point, but it might be a little while.