A/N: Hello everyone! Wow, it has been a while since I've been on this site. I'm rising from below and coming out with a quick four chaptered story that I have written somehow. I was inspired to write this after reading a prompt on Tumblr that caught my interest. I had seen it last year and started writing snipets for it here and there until one day I just sat down and wrote about 15 pages? I'm still not done with it yet, but I know exactly where I want it to go and how I want it to move along. I have already written the first two parts and am now working on the last two. So, this will be updated weekly :)
Now, enough of me! I hope you all enjoy this new story I have for you!
I do not own Fairy Tail.
In Another Time
-O-
"Do fairies really have tails? Do they even exist... Like them this place is an eternal mystery... A never ending adventure."
-O-
"There has to be another way. There's always another way!"
"Not this time, Lucy."
"Natsu, don't. Don't say things like that."
"I told ya I would protect your future, right? I never go back on my promises."
"But I don't want to live in a future without you, Natsu!"
"Goodbye, Lucy."
"NATSU!"
-O-
The city was bustling with activity as the winter air was finally settling in. The city of Magnolia was crowded as the annual lighting festival had commenced in celebration of the holiday season. Tourist flaked the city, stopping at some of the hottest spots in the city.
But there was no landmark more popular in the city of Magnolia than the Fairy Tale Centre. It was on the northwestern part of the city, next to the famous Lake Sciliora, Magnolia's hottest tourist site during the summer.
Despite its childish name, it was home to one of the biggest museums in the country of Fiore. Not only did it hold to the history of Magnolia, but it held history of the old times of the country of Fiore. Many myths and legends surrounded the museum about centuries ago where magic guilds, dark wizards, and dragons roamed the land. Many townsfolk engrained it into their history, as part of the culture of Magnolia. The tourist drank in the legends and wandered to the Fairy Tale Centre, in hopes of discovering the truth behind the myths.
Fairy Tale Centre was home to not only a museum, but a restaurant, massive library collection, and children's play center area at the basement of the building. The Fairy Tale Centre building and the Kardia Cathedral in the middle of city were not only Magnolia's oldest structures, but some of few, rare structures left in the entire country of Fiore.
Both Fairy Tale Centre and Kardia Cathedral along with Magnolia's thriving culture give it life, leaving it as one of the most popular cities in the country of Fiore.
So popular that Crocus Times Magazine youngest publisher, Lucy Heartfilia, had to come take a look at the city herself.
"Alright, now that I'm here… I should get myself a tour guide." The young woman muttered to herself as she put a finger to her chin with a small smile gracing her lips. She knew just the person too.
Pulling out her phone, she called for her 'tour guide,' waiting for the individual on the other end of the phone to answer the phone.
"Lucy?"
At the recognition of the voice on the other side of the phone, Lucy smiled. "Hey… Levy."
"Wow! Lucy! It is you!" Lucy giggled as she heard the girl on the other side of the phone laugh.
"Of course it is!" Dodging the traffic of pedestrians, she made her way over towards a scarce park where she could hear the girl on the other side of the phone. "How have you been, Levy?"
Lucy snickered as she heard Levy stumble on the other end of the phone. "Oh Lu! You never change!" A soft smile replaced her previous smirk as her childhood nickname was recognizable in her ears.
"I try not to disappoint…" She trailed off, her eyes wandering the crowd, looking for inspiration. Inspiration for what you might ask? Inspiration for the next hit on Crocus' Time Magazine: Magnolia Edition.
"Not that I don't appreciate the out of the blue phone call from my best friend that I haven't heard from in over 2 years…" Lucy cringed slightly as remorse settled in the pit of her stomach. Had it really been 2 years already?
"But it's really out of the blue that you call me. What's up?"
As perceptive as always, aren't you Levy? Lucy thought to herself as a smirk reached her lips. The blonde laughed, knowing that it was pointless to make the small talk.
"Oh alright. You caught me." The brown eyed woman could hear Levy mutter 'I knew it' on the other end and Lucy rolled her eyes. "Say, are you still living in Magnolia?"
"Yes…?"
A victorious smile encased Lucy's face.
"What do you say to meeting me at the corner of Strawberry and Lemon in let's say, 20 minutes?" There was an audible gasp and a loud 'clink' could be heard, as if her best friend had dropped the phone. She could hear Levy saying something inaudible, accompanied by a gruff voice in the background that she didn't recognize.
"Lu! Don't tell me you're here in Magnolia!" Ah, there. Levy had returned, making Lucy jump slightly as she didn't expect her petite best friend to shout in her ear.
The young blonde couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping her lips. "Let's just say I'm in town for the weekend and in dire need of a tour guide. Free of charge of course."
There was a slight shriek and Lucy nearly lost herself then. That gruff voice she had heard earlier was speaking again and it made her curious. A boyfriend perhaps? But, she knew she would get her answers shortly enough if Levy agreed to meet her.
"Lu! Why didn't you tell me ahead of time! I would have blocked off the entire weekend for you!"
"So are you saying that you have a busy weekend?" Lucy's tone of voice fell immediately.
There was some shuffle at the other end of the line. She could hear Levy saying something lowly on the other end and that gruff voice returned. Whoever that was, he did not sound amused.
"You're in luck, Lu! My schedule just cleared up!" The joy on Lucy's face was evident as she shouted in glee. It was followed by some of the observers around her, but she didn't care. Her biggest story yet was going to be pieced together and she was going to get to see her best friend after two years.
"I'll see you in 20, Lu!"
"Don't keep me waiting for long!"
With that, Lucy hung up the phone and stuck it back in her pocket. She turned back towards the city with a triumph smile setting on her lips.
A feeling of excitement passed through her as she walked down the street, taking in the air of the city of Magnolia. It was full of excitement and wonder. There was so much history in this city and she couldn't wait to see it all.
As she walked down Strawberry Street, she couldn't help but climb on the ledge next to the river bank with her arms stretched out to her sides. She hadn't done something like this since she was a child, but that didn't stop the smile from growing wider on her pretty face.
"Careful, Miss! You don't want to slip and fall in!" Lucy stopped in her tracks and looked over towards a pair of men who were paddling in the cannel with supplies in their boat.
Watch out, Miss Lucy! You don't want to fall into the cannel now!
Lucy blinked, feeling like she had heard something like this before. It was almost like déjà vu. The feeling was so familiar and she couldn't help but be taken aback by it.
"Uh, yeah thanks! I won't!" She retorted with a smile, not wanting to be rude.
Jumping off the ledge, she looked up and saw the cross street of Strawberry and Lemon.
It wouldn't be long until Levy arrived, she thought to herself as she began to observe the area around her. Directly to her left, there was a family owned fashion store. With some time to spare, she decided to go in.
Immediately, she fell in love.
Lucy could tell that all this was hand made. From the bracelets to the headbands to the scarves to the mittens and gloves, the blonde was impressed with the fine craftsmanship that was exhibited.
"Hello Miss. Is there something we could help you with?" At her left, Lucy was met with a stunning white haired woman with bright blue eyes that left the blonde speechless. Her beauty was radiant and there was almost a warm, white glow around her body.
She was filled with instant warmth.
"I-I was just waiting for a friend when I decided to take a look around." She explained, still frazzled by the sheer beauty of this young woman. "Everything is handmade, right?"
The white haired maiden blushed and chuckled, nodding her head. "Yes. That was very perceptive of you."
"I have a keen eye for the finer things." They shared a laugh and Lucy continued to walk around, fingering the different types of accessories and types of clothing. "These necklaces and bracelets are so cute! And these scarves are just gorgeous! Wow, you are so talented!"
"Why thank you." The soft blue eyed woman said as she followed closely behind Lucy. "But, it's not just me who hand makes all these. My sister helps as well."
"So it's a family business?" Lucy asked.
The white haired woman nodded with a smile. "Yes. The MakeShift Corner. I'm Mirajane Strauss. I own the store."
"And I'm Lisanna! I'm the little sister!"
Lucy jumped at the sudden appearance of this spunky newcomer.
She was the exact clone of her older sister except for the short white hair that she currently had tied into cute pigtails. Both young women were dazzling and beautiful. Lucy almost paled in comparison.
"What did you say your name was, Miss?" Mirajane asked.
"Ah, Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia." Lucy continued eying the store as Mira and Lisanna followed behind her.
"Is this your first time in Magnolia, Lucy?"
Lucy was thumbing the fabric on one of the ribbons that was eerily similar to one she had when she was a child when Mira asked her the question. The soft, blue fabric was a happy, but bitter reminder of her past.
"Unfortunately, yes." The blonde mulled as she gripped the blue ribbon. "As a publisher, it's difficult to find time to leave my office and visit other cities throughout Fiore."
The young blonde turned back towards Mira and her younger sister with a small smile.
"That sounds unfortunate. Adventuring is a must in life. There are so many things to see, so many things to experience." Mira went and grabbed the ribbon that Lucy was so entranced with and handed it to Lisanna.
"Mira-nee is absolutely right! There is so much to see in the world!" Lisanna chimed into the conversation as she wrapped the blue ribbon.
"I've traveled before when I was younger." There was a sadness that washed over Lucy's eyes as she reminisced on her painful past. "My father was a renowned business man and my mother and I often joined him for his business trips when I was younger. I've been to most places in Fiore. And as a journalist, I did a lot of traveling for my articles."
"But you never once came to Magnolia?" The youngest Strauss asked and Lucy smiled sadly.
"Well, I almost did once. My father had scheduled a business trip to the city. My mother and I were to accompany him. Once he was done with his business, we were to vacation together in the city."
Mira walked up to Lucy and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lucy, you don't have to share if you don't want too. We understand." Lisanna shook her head in response with a smile on her face.
Lucy felt a heavy weight on her chest as these two beautiful women smiled at her with such kindness. The weight pressing on her chest left a ball in her throat that made her want to cry with tears of joy. All the pain in her years of loneliness had suddenly vanished as a soft light was practically emitting from the two in front of her.
She shook her head and swallowed away the ball in her throat. "My mother passed away before we made our trip to Magnolia. Since then, the excitement I had for visiting had immediately disappeared."
Before the white haired maiden could mutter a word, Lucy smiled at the two young owners. "This might sound strange, but I feel very at ease talking with you two. It's almost like I'm being greeted by the siblings I never had. Especially since I am an only child."
Lisanna giggled and Mira followed suit with a smile. The blonde immediately blushed and felt embarrassed by her words.
"You know, I was just thinking the same thing! Weren't you, Mira-nee?" Lisanna responded and the blonde felt the back of her neck heat up.
Mira nodded and went to embrace the young publisher, who was immediately shocked by the burst of the personal space bubble.
"Oh dear." she began, "You've been alone for quite a while, haven't you? It's no wonder that you are so easy to talk too."
It's when people are lonely that they become kind.
It was like a gust of air to her stomach as Mira embraced her. There was such a familiar presence with the two young ladies, especially the oldest of the Strauss siblings. Lucy felt like she had been surrounded by it once.
Mira released her from the hug and reached out for something. Lisanna placed it in her hands and she turned, facing Lucy with that motherly smile she donned so well.
"Here, take this." Lucy's eyes almost popped out as the blue fabric she was so entranced with was now laying wrapped in her arms.
"Oh no. Mira-san, I cannot take this!" Trying to push the gift back into her hands, both Strauss siblings shook their heads.
"We insist! It's been such a long time since we have had someone like you come by! Consider it a gift! So you can come back and visit us!" Mira nodded along with her younger sister as Lisanna jumped from the counter and clasped Lucy's hands.
"This way, you will have a piece of Magnolia with you. And you can remember us always."
The tear were very close to falling from Lucy's eyes as the two young women showed her more kindness than she had been shown in the last few years.
"Thank you so much." She clutched the fabric to her chest and smiled so brightly.
"Lu?"
At the sound of her nickname, Lucy immediately whipped her head and the bright smile grew as her brown eyes landed on the blue haired woman that was walking the shop in search for her.
"Levy?"
Said girl turned and her eyes went wide. There was a brief moment of silence as the two young ladies stared at one another with doe eyes. Levy was the first to break the silence as a petite smile broke on to her face.
"Lu!"
Lucy was almost thwarted back as the small blue haired woman embraced her into a tight hug. It took the blonde a few seconds to recompose herself, but once her mind registered Levy hugging her, she reacted with instinct.
"Levy!"
The two shared a long hug as Mira and Lisanna looked at one another with a knowing smile. Lucy could feel the tears welt at her eyes as she pulled away from her long time best friend.
"Look at you, Lu!" Levy said as she noticed the small things about Lucy that had changed in the last couple of years. "You have changed so much!"
"Are you serious? Look at you! Your hair use to be so short!" The blonde grabbed a long lock of Levy's hair and Levy blushed.
"I was anxious about it at first, but I've really liked the way it turned out." Lucy winked and gave Levy the thumbs up.
"Hi Levy! Nice to see you!" Lisanna called out to her and the blue haired woman smiled and waved. Lucy wasn't shocked to see that they knew one another. The atmosphere around this town, around this shop, it felt like home. It was that feeling of home that attracted Lucy here in the first place.
Her reuinon with Levy had been so fulfilling. It was as if nothing had ever changed between them in their two year separation. She appreciate the simplicity of their friendship and how it trascended time so easily. Levy had always been her best friend, the only person she could truly rely on. Seeing her again had almost driven her to tears.
The four young women briefly talked amongst one another for some time. And while it happened, there was a warmth bubbling in her chest.
She felt like she had been surrounded by this before.
Lucy wasn't sure what it was about this city, but since her arrival, she's been feeling nostalgic. These feelings and emotions kept bubbling in within her and she was lost for words.
But how could she be nostalgic about somewhere she's never even stepped foot in?
Lucy could only hope that it meant her trip was going to be worthwhile.
A/N: Just in case ya'll didn't know, this is a NaLu story. But as much as it is NaLu, it's also a Fairy Tail story. This story not only revolves around Natsu and Lucy, but the entirety of the Fairy Tail guild. Meaning, there will be lots of friendship feels.
I hope you guys like what I have so far! Next update will be next week and hopefully I should have the third chapter done by then! Reviews, comments, criticism, etc. are always encouraged!
Till next time!
- Dark Waffle