A/N: This is my first longer fanfic I'm posting on this site, lol. After 9 years of having this account, I'm finally confident enough to post something that isn't a oneshot. It's about time, haha. :D

Anyways, yeah. This story seems one of those typical 'everyone ignores Lucy and she runs away' kind of stories but there is a twist that hopefully gives this storyline a new refreshing point of view. :)

EDIT2019: Story has gone through editing to fix up the plotholes and hints to storylines that I was originally going to use in the story.

And I do not own Fairy Tail. Hiro Mashima does. Only the storyline, OCs and the locations you cannot recognize are mine.

Shattered

Chapter 1: Happy's Help Request

ARC 1: Memory Loss

Magnolia,

Year: 791X

Prologue

He couldn't move.

After taking that cup of cola soda he had been offered by That Girl, dizziness had taken over him. Room seemed to be circling in his eyes, and every muscle in his body became heavy.

Had it been poison of some kind?

But there was no pain!

What was happening?!

He felt how That Girl came and raised his head on her lap. Her closeness felt so wrong to him.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine soon", whispered That Girl gently into his ear.

Something was terribly wrong. He could feel how a memory of someone he cared about slowly faded out of his mind.

Person who owned this whispering voice was sitting on the living room's floor, holding his head on her lap.

But she wasn't the one he wanted her to be – not even close.

He couldn't even talk so he couldn't tell her to go away.

"Out of sight, out of mind", whispering voice said. "It's going to be better this way. You would have never been with her anyway. She doesn't know you, nor does she deserve your friendship. Let the memories fade. Forget her very existence."

As the memories faded away slowly, he couldn't help but feel scared.

Why would this happen to him?

Why did this happen to him?

Why not someone else?

Why does it have to be him?

"It has to be you because we made a promise", whispering voice said. "You will soon remember, and we'll be together, my love."

Love? He thought. No way...

"Close your eyes. When you wake up, you'll feel fine again", That Girl's voice said gently as his eyes started to close.

He felt so tired.

Too tired to even stand it.

As he let sleep take him, he saw a pair of blue eyes with a victorious glint in them...

-.-.-.-

Three Weeks Later

Even though she had been ignored by many in the guild for a while, Lucy had decided not to make a big deal of it. Of course, she did feel a bit sad, but she also wanted to believe that things will eventually change. They usually did. These people – her family – wouldn't ignore her forever, right? That was just nonsense. It wouldn't happen. Ever. She was sure of it that she kept a smile on her lips every day when she went to the guild.

Today was no different. After getting ready in her apartment, she walked out on the sunny streets of Magnolia. Day was a good one after the rainy days that had seemed to last forever. Lucy hated rain. It made her so depressed, even when she tried to smile. That's why she was happy that those days were over. It was easier to go on missions, too – even if Lucy had been going on solo missions for a while now.

"I wonder if they'd take me with them this time", Lucy wondered aloud. "Last time they left before I even got to the guild..."

Team Natsu had left on a mission without her almost at once after the Grand Magic Games had ended. But unlike Lucy had expected – meaning that they would remember she was the member of the team, too – Team Natsu started to go on more and more missions with Lisanna instead and it felt like that Lucy didn't matter to them anymore. And that made her really sad.

"And eventually everyone was shocked with the announcement of Natsu and Lisanna were together", Lucy remembered and sighed. From that day on, Lucy had been basically a ghost in the guild. Not that she really complained though, she had noticed that she actually had time to work on her novels a lot more without any distractions. And for that she was very happy... well, at first. After a while she started to miss her team's sudden visits. She also missed Natsu's weird habit of coming through her window into her apartment to sleep in her bed. She wasn't sure why he did that, but for some weird reason she really liked it.

Lucy arrived the guild building. As always, people were already fighting over something there. Lucy facepalmed. Will these crazy people ever stop?!

"Yo, Ice Princess, you got no right to critisize me!" Natsu's voice roared stronger than any other's voice.

"I wonder what they're arguing about today", Lucy mumbled to herself as she walked through the front yard. She took a side step just in time to avoid a flying table and sighed. This guild surely was a rowdy one. To Lucy it seemed like people were fighting every day when she came in. As she stepped into the guild hall, everything was in shambles as always.

Lucy headed to the request board to find a job suitable for her.

"Lucy!" she heard a voice and felt something – or someone – on top of her head. She could recognize Happy's voice anywhere.

"Hey, Happy", Lucy said as she dodged a flying chair that came her way.

She started to feel annoyed. Who the hell was trying to kill her with furniture?!

"It was Pantherlily who threw that chair", Happy told her mischief evident in his voice.

"Oh, is that so?" Lucy said and as she was thinking of calling one of her spirits to avenge her, Loki appeared. "I thought you might want me to avenge you, princess", he flirted.

"Go on then", Lucy said smiling.

"Your wish is my command, love", Loki said and joined the raging battle.

"So, Happy, what's up?" Lucy turned her attention back to the blue Exceed.

"I need your help with something", Happy answered. "It's about Lisanna's and Natsu's relationship."

"How am I supposed to help you with that? Shouldn't you talk to them?" Lucy asked, feeling confused.

"I tried to talk to them, but they don't listen. Something's wrong with Natsu! It's been like that for a while..."

"Something's wrong with Natsu?" Lucy asked, now curious. "Please tell me more", she added and dodged another flying chair coming at her.

"He doesn't see me, and it looks like he doesn't even know who you are. It all started soon after we came back from the Grand Magic Games", Happy said.

"Natsu doesn't remember me?" Lucy asked, dumbfounded.

"Yeah, whenever I ask something about you, he looks like he has no idea who you are. In general there's something fishy about this whole thing. I don't even think that relationship is real, Lucy", Happy sighed. "Will you help me?"

Lucy tapped her bottom lip with her index finger. Something did sound a bit off in Happy's explanation. But then again, Lucy had been noticing it more often recently. She had thought it was only her mind playing tricks on her – or some sort of jealousy, too – but if Happy felt that something was wrong with those two, then it must be true.

I just can't put my finger on it, but those two together just looks so forced, Lucy thought as she sat next to her friend, Levy McGarden, in Fairy Tail's guild hall. Lucy had just seen Natsu and Lisanna come in holding hands. Something caught Lucy's eye about Natsu. He didn't seem to be into it honestly, but then he kissed her like he loved her. This confused Lucy beyond belief. What was going on?

Blonde looked around her to see if someone else had noticed it too, but everyone else was more interested in their own things. Lucy felt so alone with her thoughts.

Ugh, maybe I'm just jealous of him, blonde thought.

"Jealous of whom?" asked Levy.

"Did I say it aloud?"

"You did, Bunny Girl", Gajeel, who sat with them as well, confirmed. "Are you jealous of Salamander?"

"I don't know", Lucy said, feeling unsure of voicing her thoughts.

She knew that she would sound jealous if she'd say, 'those two shouldn't be together' or 'something's wrong with that, we should figure out what it is' so it would be better if she just kept her weird thoughts to herself instead.

"Never mind. I don't think I'm jealous", Lucy said and smiled. "Actually, I'm gonna go pick up a job for some extra cash."

And with that, Lucy stood up and hurried away. She couldn't afford to let anyone know she didn't like the idea of her best friend in a relationship with a girl who wasn't Lucy – yet she wasn't going to step between them either. Only a idiot would do something like that. Now, only thing she could do was to forget all of this and move on.

But the problem was that she couldn't forget the wrong vibes around Lisanna and Natsu.

This means I wasn't wrong at all, Lucy thought and sighed.

Why didn't she go talk to the rest of the team the moment those suspicions arose in her? They must have been aware of the fakery of Natsu's relationship too!

"Happy, you're absolutely right. Something's wrong with those two", blonde said. "Have you spoken with Erza and Gray?"

"Yes, and they're going to do something about it, too", Happy answered.

"Alright then", Lucy said. "I'll help you, but I want to spy on them a bit first."

"They're going to go shopping later today."

"Right, I'll follow them around a bit then."

-.-.-.-

Later that day Lucy finally had a chance to find out what was going on. She knew that Natsu could smell her scent from far away so Lucy had to just pretend she was doing something else so he would think her presence nearby was nothing but a coincidence. She was just going to pretend she was buying food for the trip to her next mission.

That's very unusual, Lucy thought as she pretended to be looking at the vegetables while spying on Natsu, Lisanna and Happy – Lisanna had clinged herself to Natsu's arm and was talking all the time. Happy sometimes tried to get attention, but was unable to do so.

Lucy started to feel irritated. How could something like this happen?! Neither Natsu or Lisanna didn't care about him!

Gosh, I'm so disappointed in you now. That's not like you, Natsu, Lucy thought as she followed the pair in the marketplace. She stopped in front of the fishmonger's street shop to buy some fish for Happy – mostly because Natsu had turned around to look at Lucy. She didn't want to get caught like this. Natsu probably wouldn't yell at her but Lisanna probably would.

"That would be 1,400 jewels", fishmonger told Lucy after she had decided to take some red snapper.

"Thank you, and good day", Lucy said.

"And you, too, miss", fishmonger said.

Lucy turned around and followed Natsu and Lisanna quietly – close enough to hear them talk.

"What should we buy next, Natsu?" Lisanna asked. "I mean, we're gonna have a nice dinner tonight anyway so..."

"I honestly don't care what I eat since everything you cook is awesome", Natsu said and smiled to her. His voice sounded very weird and not like Natsu at all – in fact, to Lucy, he sounded like he was drugged.

She felt shivers go down her spine as she thought about that possibility.

"And then we could do something more pleasant than just eating", Lisanna's playful tone interrupted her thoughts.

"Anything to keep you happy, Lis", Natsu just said.

Natsu's behavior is so weird that I need to try to follow them some more. Maybe I will get my answers now, Lucy thought hopefully.

"Hey, let's go over here!" Lisanna said and dragged Natsu by his arm into a flower store called Magnolia's Finest Flowers.

Lucy followed them inside wondering why Lisanna suddenly wanted to go check out flowers. Store was relatably small compared to some other flower shops Lucy had visited in her life, but it was still big enough that Lucy could find a perfect hiding spot. As she hid behind one of the shelves, she made sure she found a place she could hear "couple's" discussions.

"It's so wonderful to be here!" Lisanna cried. She picked up blue violettas. "How about we use these, Natsu?"

"They do smell pretty nice", Natsu agreed. "And it matches your eyes perfectly."

Seriously, what the actual fuck? Lucy thought as she looked at the couple from behind the green shelf that was full of baby cactuses. Flirting Natsu was a weird sight. Lucy's previous thoughts about him being drugged came to her mind again. Something was seriously wrong with him. Blonde just couldn't put a finger on it yet. She needed closer contact with Natsu to figure that out. And what's more – why would Lisanna even drug him? It made absolutely no sense to Lucy.

"This place smells horrible. I feel dizzy!" Happy said and fell on the stone floor nearby Lucy's hiding place. She caught him.

Lisanna and Natsu didn't even notice because they were too obsessed with the flowers.

"That's not like him at all", Lucy whispered to the blue feline she was holding.

"Exactly", Happy whispered. "What are you gonna do?"

"Investigate some more. I can't figure this out just yet."

"Good luck on that, Lucy", Happy said, looking sad.

"Hey, we'll sort this out, Happy. No need to be so sad", Lucy said smiling. "I promise."

Happy nodded and jumped off Lucy's arms. He then walked back to Natsu and Lisanna, who didn't even notice it as they kept talking about various flowers with the sales clerk.

"These are popular for weddings", sales clerk, a middle aged, brown haired woman was just saying, holding a bouquet of roses in various colors. "Did you have something like this in mind?"

"Oh, we aren't getting married yet", Lisanna said sweetly. "We have only just started dating."

"I'm sorry. I assumed so because you asked for wedding flowers."

"It's alright. We are actually looking for flowers for the yard of our house. It's in terrible state at the moment and I thought some violettas could brighten up the place."

"Something smells weirdly familiar", Natsu suddenly said and sniffled the air. "Like vanilla and strawberries."

Oh crap! Run, Lucy! Blonde thought and ran outside as fast as she could without being seen. She hid behind the closest box she was able to spot and sat there feeling like her heart was about to pop out from her chest.

"Natsu, come back inside", Lisanna called.

"But I swear I smelt something familiar, Lis! It was as if it was someone I've wanted to talk to for weeks now..." Natsu said. "But I can't remember that person..."

"It doesn't matter, Natsu. Come on!" Lisanna said impatiently. "We got a lot of work to be done."

"Okay, Lis", Natsu said and then he walked back in.

Lisanna looked suspiciously around just to find the one who was following them, but couldn't see anything. Lucy hoped she wouldn't come and check out the box because it would be easy to count facts together. Lisanna wasn't stupid.

"Must be my imagination. Why would anyone follow me anyway...?" Lisanna mumbled and went back into the store.

Lucy stood up and looked at the store for a moment. Natsu really didn't remember her. He recognized her smell as something familiar but couldn't tell who it belonged to.

Lucy decided it would be better if she went back to the guild. She had a feeling that she might need everyone's help to solve the mystery instead of trying to do it alone.

-.-.-.-

It was peaceful at the guild hall when Lucy stepped in few moments later. All the signs of the morning brawl were cleaned up and most of the fighters had gone to their missions – or shopping like Natsu had done. Lucy hoped that she and Happy wouldn't get into trouble for their little scheming – something really bothered Lucy with the way Lisanna had spoken outside the flower shop.

She had sounded suspicious. Very suspicious, Lucy thought.

"Hey, Lucy", Mira greeted as the blonde sat down on the stool. "The usual?"

"Yes please", Lucy said smiling.

"You look worried. Is something wrong?"

"Nah, I'm cool", Lucy said happily as Mira put her usual chocolate and coffee flavored milkshake in front of her. "Just thinking about this story idea I have", she lied.

"Oh, alright, Lucy. Enjoy your milkshake!" Mira said smiling happily as she went to the kitchen.

As if I'm going to tell you that I'm not okay with your sister dating my best friend, Lucy thought as she took a sip of her milkshake.

I can't let Mira know, not until I have some actual proof that the relationship really is a lie. She's too excited over the fact that the childhood friends are finally lovers.

Lucy's thoughts were interrupted by the person she had been thinking about. He and Lisanna came to the bar and they sat down close to Lucy while chatting about something blonde couldn't hear. Natsu didn't even notice her like he usually would – it was like she was nothing but air to him.

That's weird. Usually he would say hello to me at least, blonde thought and decided to try a bit of a experiment to see if talking worked.

"Happy, I got something for you", she said aloud. Happy came to her looking curious. When Lucy took the red snapper from her shopping bag, Happy's eyes started glinting.

"You brought me fish!" blue cat cried tears in his eyes.

"I bet it's good, Happy. It was the most expensive one I found", Lucy said.

"I am happy!" Happy said and started eating. "So good~!"

Natsu doesn't see or hear me. Hmm, I wonder... Lucy thought while she took another sip of her milkshake.

"Why are you buying fish for our cat?" Lisanna's voice interrupted her thinking process.

Lucy noticed how Happy tensed at once. Blonde herself was speechless. What the hell was going on? Had Edolas changed her attitude or was she really just heartless?

"Excuse me?" Lucy asked.

"Why are you buying fish for our cat?" Lisanna repeated, looking annoyed.

"Since when has Happy been 'just a cat' to you, Natsu?" Lucy asked her best friend, but he said nothing. It was that moment when she got her confirmation that Natsu was enchanted to pay no attention to Lucy.

What the hell did you make him drink, Lisanna?! Lucy thought furiously.

She stood up and walked past Natsu to her and whispered, "What did you make him drink, Lisanna?"

"I don't know what you're talking about", Lisanna whispered, while taking a sip of her strawberry soda that she loved.

"Fine then", Lucy said. "Happy will stay with me until you and Natsu realize how wrongly you're treating him. Come on, Happy."

"Aye sir!" blue cat said.

He put his half eaten fish into his backpack and followed Lucy further away from the happy couple. She looked around and saw Erza and Gray sitting in a table so far away that she could talk to them about this problem without Lisanna hearing them. She was a bit nervous about talking to them after a while but it made her feel kind of stupid too. These were her friends, after all, why would they tell her to go away anyway? It was dumb to even assume that would happen!

"Hey, Lucy", Gray greeted as she sat down in front of them. "How's Flame Brain?"

"That's not the Natsu I know", Lucy told them "Also, how did I get kicked out of the team without me knowing about it?" she added, raising her eyebrow.

Gray sighed. "Well, to be completely honest, I have no idea how it happened. Lisanna just started to hang out with us. At first it seemed like a normal 'old friends hanging out' type of thing, but then she started talking about taking missions with us. We thought it would be a one time thing so we agreed to do it but then she was suddenly with us on every mission while Natsu never said anything about you. He and Lisanna just picked up a mission for us and we went with it until Happy said there was something weird about their relationship."

"No, I told you that Natsu and Lisanna doesn't care about my presence", Happy – who was eating red snapper again – corrected him.

"Right. And then we noticed that for Natsu it was like you had never even existed. He even dared to ask 'who's Lucy' once. That's when we knew that something was up."

"We believe Lisanna has something to do with it", Erza said. "We tried to reason with Natsu, but he just doesn't listen to us. It's like the only one he listens to is Lisanna."

"Hmm, I see", Lucy said, nodding. "We gotta do a proper investigation on this. If Natsu is under an effect of a potion of some kind, we need to help him", she added.

"What do you have in mind?" Gray said.

"We gotta sneak into Natsu's house and try to find the source of the problem", Lucy said. "I believe there's a magic potion somewhere in there that causes this. There's no other explanation. We have to find it, study it and then reverse the effect."

"Good idea", Erza said. "You and Happy can do that while me and Gray take them on a mission that takes few days to be complete."

"Let's do that", Lucy said. "Although, how are you going to explain why Happy isn't coming with you?"

"Easy. We just say he got ill by eating too much red snapper", Gray said as he watched how Happy laid on the table looking like he was about to throw up.

"Happy, you weren't supposed to eat the whole thing today!" Lucy told the blue feline.

"But it was too delicious..." Happy defended himself.

"And now you're sick!"

"A-aye sir..."

A/N: It might seem a bit boring (to me at least it was very boring for a opening chapter) but things will get more interesting as the story goes on. Read, review, follow it. Whatever suits you. I like constructive critisism a lot, but if you're not good at giving it, review anyway. All kinds of reviews inspires me to write more. :)

PS. Story takes place after Grand Magic Games/Dragon King Arc.