(Yes, I'm crazy for starting another story when I have two others in desperate need of writing...but I've been so inspired to do this...and have like 6 chapters pre-written... :/ So I might as well...)

Hello! I'm back with the sequel to PtoP! There will be LOTS of Nalu, so prepare yourselves! XD There also will be a huge increase in swearing...you have been warned.

I can't believe it, I'm all caught up with episodes now! DX Now I have to wait until every Saturday...which isn't that bad of a thing...hell, it's better than waiting until March.

One more thing before we begin: This takes place some time after the whole Eclipse spirits thing. There's possible spoilers for anything up to that... Basically, spoilers for anything in the anime. Read at your own risk. (But please, manga readers, no spoiling anything for me in the reviews!)

Anyways, enjoy~!

*Fear for the Future*

~Chapter 1: An Ominous Letter~

The sky was streaked with pink and orange as the sun set in the Western Obasono Forest, casting faint light on the leaf-laden branches below. Birds flit and flutter through the treetops, wings spread to their full length. Five sets of footprints were tracked in the mud, all varying in size and shape. Four were distinctly human, while the fifth was definitely animal. If one were to follow the tracks through the forest, they would come across a group of extremely famous wizards: Fairy Tail's Strongest Team.

They sat around a red-orange fire, which was being tended by the legendary Salamander himself. Seated on a log off to the side, the great Titania sharpens a sword, her long red hair falling in her face. To the right of the log, Fairy Tail's Celestial Wizard knelt next to the fire, warming her hands. Sitting on the rock behind her was the famed Ice Master, who was nudging a rock with his right foot. Curled up on a green knapsack, the blue Exceed of Fairy Tail lay sound asleep, dreaming of fish. The camp was surprisingly silent and calm. The team had just finished a job, and were planning to return to the guild the next morning. One would expect them to be happy about it, excited even. But the group was silent.

Finally, Natsu shatters the silence, "What's for dinner?" Everyone looks at him with disbelief.

"There is none," Erza replies flatly.

"We used our food as bait for the thieves, remember?" Lucy sighs.

"WE DID?!" cries Natsu. "Man, who's awful idea was that?!"

"YOURS!" Gray and Lucy shout, glaring at the Dragon Slayer.

"Was not!" Natsu retorts.

"You said, 'Let's use these bags as bait' and in those bags was the food," Lucy groans.

"How was I supposed to know?!" Natsu throws his hands up in the air.

"He's right: he's too stupid to have realized," Gray puts in.

"You take that back!" Natsu snaps. Gray springs at Natsu, smashing his forehead against the Dragon Slayer's.

"Ash Brains!"

"Ice Cream!"

"Charcoal Face!"

"Icy Bastard!"

"Flame Butt!"

"BOYS!" Erza cuts into the argument, shoving them to the ground. "Be quiet!"

"Owww...Erza..." Natsu whines from on the ground.

"Shush!" Erza snaps.

"That hurt..." Gray moans, rubbing his head.

"Shut! Up!" Lucy hisses.

"Why?!" Natsu says loudly. Lucy jumps behind him and slaps a hand over his mouth.

"I thought I heard something," Erza says.

Natsu frowns, and sniffs the air. His eyes widen, and he struggles to break free from Lucy. The blonde wraps her other arm around his stomach, holding him back with all her strength. "Natsu!" He abruptly stops struggling, causing Lucy to accidentally pull Natsu backwards on top of her. She cries out in pain as he elbows her in the stomach.

"Ooph! Sorry, Lucy!"

"Shut up, you two!" cries Erza.

Happy opens one eye, sees Natsu and Lucy, and yells, "HE LIIIKES YOU!"

"SHUT UP YOU STUPID CAT!"

"OWW! LUCY, THAT WAS MY RIB!"

"SORRY, NATSU!"

"EVERYONE BE QUIET!" Erza's roar silences the group faster than lightning.

"Well, now you've done it," Gray groans.

Branches are pushed to the side as a group of hooded figures make their way into the clearing. Their very presence made Team Natsu shiver. They radiated magic power, dark and cold. Natsu and Lucy untangle themselves, preparing for a fight. Gray takes a fighting stance as Erza holds her sword at the ready.

"Calm down," the wizard in the front says. "We're not here to fight." The Fairy Tail wizards do not listen, and stay prepared. "Fine," the wizard sighs. "Then I guess we won't tell you the information we have..."

"Information?" Erza says reluctantly.

"Why would we would information from a group of dark wizards?" Natsu asks, wrinkling his nose. "You guys reek of evil."

"We're not just some random group," another wizard says.

"We're the dark guild Dragon's Bane," finishes a third wizard.

"Dragon's Bane...?" Erza grips her sword even tighter.

"I've never heard of you," Gray sounds uncertain.

"Our master doesn't want to draw attention to us," the first wizard sighs. "We need to accomplish our goal first..."

"You said you had information?" Erza asks, wary of the first wizard's tone.

"Yes..." smiles the first wizard. "First of all, my name is Thompson. I'm Master's second-in-command."

"And?" Lucy prompts, curious.

"I have a message for Natsu Dragneel, son of the Fire Dragon King, Igneel."

Natsu raises an eyebrow. "What do you want from me?"

Thompson clears his throat, "It says: Salamander, we have unfinished business. If you are brave and willing to fight for your life, come to the Fields of Red Grass. Bring along anyone you wish, but only one other person. I will do the same. We will duel, and unless you want to die by my hand, I would be prepared. It's been 8 years since we last fought, and you spent 7 of them on an island. You be strong, which I know since you defeated the Twin Dragons, but are you strong enough to face eternal agony?"

"Who's it from?" Lucy asks urgently, stepping forward.

"I cannot say," Thompson replies, handing the letter to Natsu. "Here is the letter, Dragneel. Until we meet again, Fairy Tail."

With that, he and his guild mates disappear in a puff of smoke.

"And then they all disappeared," Lucy finishes, curling her hands around her glass.

"Hmm," Mira ponders the situation. "I've never heard of the Fields of Red Grass before...you could check the library, I suppose." She puts down the glass she's holding with a sigh. "This could be a trap too, you know..."

"Yes," Lucy nods in agreement, "in fact, I'm almost positive it's a trap."

"Do you have any idea who sent the letter?" Mira asks, picking up another cup.

"Ronon," a voice says from behind them, causing both of them to jolt in surprise. Natsu stands behind them, his arms folded across his chest. "You remember him, Lucy?"

"Yes," Lucy says quietly. "He was the one who forced me to fight you, right? With the Chimera."

"Are you sure it's him?" Mira questions the Dragon Slayer, remembering back to eight years ago.

"Positive," Natsu frowns. "The paper reeks of him."

Lucy stands up, "Well, then, I'm with you." Natsu's eyes widen, surprised.

"Are you sure? After everything he's done to-"

"Shush," Lucy interrupts him. "That's exactly why. He beat me to a pulp last time, and screwed you up pretty bad. I don't care if you'd rather bring Erza or Gray or Happy, I'm coming with you, no matter what."

Natsu looks away, his face flushing. "Okay, Luce, if that's what you want...but..." He looks her straight in the eyes. "Promise me that you'll let me handle most of it...I don't want you to get hurt again..."

"Okay..." Lucy blushes slightly. "I promise." Behind them, Mira squeals and makes a heart with her hands. Happy, who was sitting on a stool nearby, sings something about Lucy being madly in love with Natsu as Gray shakes his head at Mira.

"It's decided then!" Natsu grins. "C'mon, let's g-" Lucy grabs onto his scarf, preventing him from running off.

"Not so fast," she sighs. "We need to figure out where this stupid field is, remember?"

Natsu rubs the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Riight..." With a sigh, Lucy drags the Dragon Slayer to the guild's library, ignoring her friends' whispers. Even though she was overjoyed to go on a job with Natsu, like she always was, she couldn't help but to be frightened. Ronon's power was definitely nothing to scoff at. Even with her Second Origin, Lucy doubted that she was strong enough to take on whoever Ronon brought as a sidekick...

She sighs, closing her eyes as she continues dragging Natsu into the library. She'll just have to wait and see what's to come...

Sorry for the crappy ending...DX

A few things I forgot to mention:

1) Check out the cover! I drew it myself :D So proud of myself XD

2) I recently posted another oneshot called "Free", and since it's for a writing challenge, I was hoping I could get some reviews with constructive criticism...so far, the review total is 0. It'd be a big help if even one of you reviewed...

3) There's a story called "From Water to Ice" by XandriaZuzanna, and it's pure genius. However, currently I am the only one reviewing, and it makes me sad, because she really has talent. It'd make her day if she got a bunch of other reviews :)

~ForeverDreamer12, signing off.