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A Fairy Tail Fanfic
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
Chapter 1: The beginning.
The sunlight was just starting to sink in the sky, falling behind the Alps turning the white snow to a glistening silver from the setting sun. It was just starting to turn to winter, and carrying from the Alps was the smell of dewy rain.
Lucy stood on top of the stone wall that was guarding the town of Magnolia within, looking down one hundred feet below her where the Inflicted moved – people they were once, but now more commonly known as the Inflicted – watching them as they looked at the walls with focused eyes.
These weren't typical zombies you saw in movies, they weren't blank expressionless beings that moved around mindlessly.
These things were different – Inflicted – they were smart. They could strategize, they understood notions and actions, and worst of all moved in packs.
They were lethal at the least.
They couldn't really talk, at best they could string together a few words, but that was only in some cases. Not all.
Natsu moved besides her peering down below at the creatures, "They're getting desperate. They haven't had human flesh in months. At least not these ones."
"The hordes are getting smaller too, they might wither into mounds of unmoving flesh and then we can all move again." Lucy noted.
"Not at least for another year, if let's say they don't get their teeth into anybody." If they decayed enough they would become immobile for them to chase anybody.
The Inflicted were watching the walls, looking for a weakness, a point of entry for them to feast.
They wouldn't though, Fairy Tail, the guards, and public servants within the walls made sure that everything was protected to the best of their ability.
"And soon it will be over."
There was no way to know how it had started, to know where it first came from. Did they rise from the grave? Was it some virus? How - The question asked by everyone.
But since the classical 'outbreak' that took Fiore by storm, no other country was sending out rescue ships; not wanting to risk it themselves.
"We can all hope so. Imagine, having to take down these walls again? Imagine having things back to how they use to be?" Looking out wistfully.
"It's only been one year, Natsu." Not looking at each other, they counted twelve below them. They were nonthreatening for now. One tried to climb the wall, making it only a few feet before it feet slipped out from under it and fell.
They couldn't get through the wall, it was too thick and high. They were safe.
"Can you deny that it feels longer?" This time his onyx eyes looked at her, his pink hair seemed darker from the setting sun, his skin even more bronze from watching the walls from above in the heated sun – a job he volunteered to do more then he should. It wasn't like they were running short of people.
He looked at his partner, his best friend.
"I agree. But time is time, and it's only been a year. And even when the Inflicted can no longer move, would we take down the walls? We have no clue of the origins of how it started. There is still a chance it can all re-happen again, we could need these walls to stay."
Natsu puzzled it over, "You're right. But that doesn't mean we can't miss a time when things were like they use to be."
"Everyone misses it. It was a time we will never understand how much we took it for granted."
"We know now." There was edge to his voice, Lucy knew it well.
"You think you should be out there looking for Igneel. You think that if you used you're time more wisely before the walls were up and searched for your father you would have found him by now." She knew exactly what her friend was thinking.
Natsu didn't say anything.
The sun dipped lower behind the mountains, the sky turning to a dark blue casting, a more sinister look into the night, more sinister then it should have be. Slowly along the sides of the walls, people were lighting their torches, one by one.
You could faintly see the other side of the wall on the opposite side of the city lighting the own lights, illuminating a light grey smudge.
When it was time to return home, guards nodded in grim greeting as they took their stations at the wall relieving Natsu and Lucy from their duty.
Walking back in silence, Lucy missed the time when she saw men in fishing boats down the cannel. The lights on the street lit. The fussiness of people when they bustled past in their normal lives.
When they were arrived at the guild that was dimly lit, they chose a table that held more quietness from the guild. Magic infused objects were used a lot less nowadays. A discovery was made that magic, or magical objects attracted the Inflicted. Soon, and very quickly they were banned. For all mages, for all wizards in Fiore, this was a struggle. Once magic was a part of you, it will always be there. Using up the last drop of magic would ensue death. It is a touchy time. The guild reverted to using candles then magical lights, hence, the dim golden glow.
There was a happy mummer of greetings. The guild wasn't as full as it used to be, with the shifts and the labour that was now required from the town, it still invoked happy memories and a content feeling among the mages.
Mira, who looked worn and battered from her day of work both in and out of the guild, ambled over to their table, "Lucy," catching the blonde's attention, "Master wants to see you." There was a note of anxiousness in her voice, but she didn't elaborate.
Lucy, curious and worried, stood up. And so did Natsu.
"No, Natsu. He just requested Lucy."
They two looked at each other, and Lucy nodded, and he sat back down reluctantly.
"What for?" Asked the male teen, Mira raised her hands slightly in an 'I don't know why' gesture.
Leaving the table, she made way for the stairs, feeling eyes watching her move and disappear behind the wooden door of the office without knocking.
Master looked at Lucy, anguish and tiredness spoke volumes in his features, looking like a very overworked man.
"Lucy. I need something from you. Take a seat." Waving a hand in front of his desk. "I need a favour that may be too big for you. But I need someone who has restraint on their impulsion's, can think with wits first when faced with danger, and someone who most importantly diplomatic. I need you to travel to travel to Crocus. I need you to go to the council. They requested that someone from Fairy Tail should come, I choose you."
"T-the council? Why?"
Master sighed, "I don't know."
"Can I take Natsu with me –"
"Out of the question. Natsu is needed here. He is one of Magnolia's biggest defences."
Lucy nodded understandingly, "When do I leave?"
"Tonight, in an hour. We have gotten a carriage ready for you. Will you be ready to go?"
"I just need to grab a few things, but essentially, yes."
"Good, go. Grab your things and say your goodbyes." There was sadness in his eyes, and Lucy knew it pained him to say those things.
Lucy changed into jeans, and a long sleeved shirt, wore her trustworthy boots, and double checked her keys were fastened to her hip.
Natsu watched her, "Lucy, what did Master say?"
Lucy turned to face him, he sat on her bed looking grim. "He wants me to go the council. I don't know for how long or why."
Natsu gaped at her, looked at her as if she had electrocuted a kitten, "What? When?"
No one from the guild had left the walls since they had come up.
"Now. I have to leave soon, tonight." Adverting her eyes.
"I'm coming with you –" Natsu insisted.
"I asked, but he was against it. Master made a valid point by saying you are Magnolia's strongest defence."
"Freed has put runes around the town to know if a hoard is coming this way from a mile off, the town will have enough time to go underground if need be, and Fairy Tail is the best defence. Everyone together, not just me."
"I was selfish to even request such a thing of you to come, but you do need to stay, I need someone to come back to."
"That won't matter if I am with you –"
"Natsu, you are the greatest friend in my life, I won't have you come with me on second thoughts. I have to leave now. See me off?"
Natsu snorted as if she even had to ask, "Let's go." His voice was strained, but he followed her out of her apartment.
Natsu asked Lucy to wait for him at the front of the guild before she left. To Lucy, outside at night waiting, despite only having a wooden door separating her from her comrades, the nights felt more sinister then it used to be a year ago. Anxiety swarmed her. She hadn't left Magnolia in a year. Natsu arrived and nodded his head, they left.
"Where did you go?" He couldn't have gone home as it was too far away from the town, and was now on the other side of the wall.
"I'll tell you soon," Natsu responded, feeling two round glass balls in the side of his jumper. Natsu looked at his team mate out the corner of his eye, she was unknowingly pulling faces and grimacing, deep in thought. His heart strings felt like they were tightening.
They walked in silence, and when they saw the gate leading to the outside, guards and carriage in sight, Natsu pulled her between two buildings before anyone saw them. It was now or never to give his gift.
"Natsu –" Lucy started.
"I have something," Pulling out one small Lacrima he handed it to Lucy, it wasn't as good as the bigger versions, so the quality lacked more then he would have liked, but it was the best he could find.
Lucy gasped, "These could get you in trouble, Natsu!" she didn't sound mad, but impressed, "No one is allowed Lacrima's anymore, magic items in use attract the Inflicted."
Natsu nodded, "I have two. One for you, and one for me. This way I can know if you're okay, and you can call me if you ever need help. Promise me that."
"I promise. Where did you find some? Have you been hiding some in secret?"
Natsu nodded, "Mira has been hiding some in the guild. Remember when the outbreak started and the guards had been ordered to take away anything that had magic, because they realized it attracted the Inflicted? Well, Mira managed to hide some from them, for reasons like this."
"That's smart of her," Lucy said in awe. Lucy almost lost her keys that day as well, since it was external sense of magic, it could be physically taken off her. Lucy had to appeal to keep them to the small city council. Lucy had never been so envious of body-holder magic in life, people who had magic internally.
"But, these are cheap ones. So don't use it unless you really have to. Your one can only call mine and the guild. So someone will always be there to answer your call."
Tears gathered in the blonde's eyes, and she leaned forward and embraced Natsu in a hug, thanking Mavis for the friends she had.
"We should head to the gates." Natsu looked at her sternly, his jaw clenched, it was an effort to restrain himself. From what he wasn't sure.
Makarov nodded to the two approaching figures, a knowing look in his eye. Mira had told him what she did, and was glad she had done it, too. "Are you ready Lucy?"
Lucy didn't nod, but gave a small smile. It was the best he would get.
Natsu looked at Lucy, grabbed her around the shoulders and brought in for another hug, for all her knew this could be the last one they could share, "Remember what I said."
Lucy nodded, "Please have it with you at all times."
"I'll have it with me always."
"Time to go, Lucy. The council will explain when you get there, I haven't been told everything." he motioned Lucy to lean down, and gave her an ostensible hug, "Be on your guard. Something big is happening. Something isn't right with the council." He warned.
Pulling back, Lucy looked at her Master with surprise, but didn't say anything near the guards. Getting into the carriage, shutting the door, she peered at the two, Natsu and Gramps; both expressions strained.
Master nodded a farewell, not trusting himself to speak.
"Be safe, Luce." Natsu spoke.
The carriage lunched forward, speeding outside the gates, and for the first time, outside Magnolia in a year. Lucy had never been so afraid.
If you like this story you might like 'Nashi's Step-mother'. Another new release and please check it out, I can promise you won't be disappointed.
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