Normal P.O.V
The darkness seemed to be growing, tendrils writhing outward like snakes encasing everything within a pitch black shell of pure darkness. The darkness was reaching out looking to imprison everything that was every touch by light. The sky which usually resembled millions of sparkling diamonds against a gorgeous dark blue backdrop now showed the constellations fading from existence one by one. The moon, previously a gentle and caressing light now it too looked like it had been plunged into despair and before it was also erased. From the centre the black hole that coughed up this endless night only moments ago, now held a heavenly golden light, the only thing to shine within this new Dark Age. Looking closely at this brilliant glow, it had taken on the basic form of a human of which only the shimmering silhouette of its body made it recognisable as a basic humanoid being. Two majestic wings emerged from the figure at an amazing speed which most would miss within the blink of an eye. These wings were pure white in colour and their beauty was breath taking, they could easily enraptured the heart of all those whose gaze fell upon them. Although these wings, with enough radiance to restore your faith and beliefs, were tainted by the inky blackness. The soft feathers shifted from white to black whilst a few escaping whites fluttered softly towards the darkly tinted ground. Once the light had once again succumbed to the darkness giving it a new found depth of despair, three crystalline droplets fell from the sky. Each droplet silently landed and formed miniscule drop sized puddles that softly glowed with an enchanted sky blue light.
With a jolt, Carla's eyes became wide with terror as she struggled to make sense of this new vision of hers. Struggling to even her breathing, the world around zoned in and out of focus, all of her attention narrow-mindedly set on trying to solve this new puzzle that had presented itself. Being so consumed within her thoughts, Carla failed to notice the worried and quizzical stares that she was receiving from the rest of her teammates; Team Natsu. Something bad was about to happen, of this she was certain.
"Carla, are you okay?" Happy, that stupid tomcat; was now standing by Carla side. His voice was filled with worry and anyone could tell that he desperately wanted to hold her paw in comfort and support.
Carla couldn't tell them any of this just yet, in order to protect them from this unknown danger; she has to keep them in the dark. Ironic considering that the danger was cloaked within this ominous darkness.
"Yes I'm fine, but Lucy may not be!" Thinking quickly, Carla thought up the perfect excuse which would redirect their attention and get them out of the guild for a little while, allowing her to investigate the matter.
"What do you mean Carla?" Lucy's voice was quiet and tentative. Curiosity and fear began to overwhelm the blonde's emotions.
An exasperated sign escaped Carla's. "Child what I mean is that due to the destruction that was caused on the mission, we failed to receive the reward. If I'm not mistaken, your rent is due next week, is it not?"
Carla's gaze returned to Lucy, her face quickly paling and eyes widening at the thought of what horrors her landlady would do when she failed to produce the rent on time.
"Shit!" muttered Lucy under her own breath before getting up from her seat and racing toward the request board to find a suitable request.
Honestly, Lucy was supposed to be the smart, responsible member of Team Natsu but sometimes she too could get a little caught up in the moment.
Gray and Natsu sat their silently in shock that for once Lucy hadn't gotten mad at them for going overboard. Gray had figured out from the look on her face that she too had forgotten about it and helped trash the place. This was a both a good and bad thing for Gray and Natsu. Good because it meant that Lucy wouldn't yell at them. Bad because it meant that she would be harder on herself and that she would be keeping a close eye on the two of them on their next job, making sure that they didn't screw up this time.
When the blonde returned from having Mira, the guild's powerful take over mage and poster girl, approve the job placing the request on the table for the rest of the team to see.
Remove the bandits that hide in our forest
Reward: 500 000 Jewel
Natsu was the first to respond, "All right, I'm all fired up now! When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning, be at the station by 8. Are you and Carla coming with us Wendy?" Lucy looked over towards Wendy and Carla, waiting for their response.
"No we are not!" Simply stated Carla, "If Wendy goes on another mission with you lot so soon after completing one then who knows what kind of destructive tendencies she may get!"
"Oh come on Carla, be nice" Wendy turned towards Lucy and smiled sweetly at her, "Thanks for the offer Lucy, but I already have plans."
"That's alright, so it's just Natsu, Gray, Erza and Me then."
Happy flew over and landed on Lucy's shoulder, "Lucie you forgot about me!"
"I'm sorry happy, I'll buy you a fish to make it up to you."
"Yay, fish!" Happy began flying circles around their heads, completely forgetting that he was going to tell Lucy that Wendy promised to do a mission with Romeo tomorrow. He was looking forward to teasing someone.
"Alright, go get a good night's sleep and don't be late tomorrow!" Ezra glared at the others who shirked away in fear.
"Aye Erza" replied Natsu accompanied by "Sure thing" from Gray and a "Happy number 2 is back" from Lucy.
One by one they left the guild and began to make their way home, Lucy being the first to leave while Natsu and Happy were the last ones to leave.
Happy and Natsu wound up outside Lucy's apartment, without exchanging words, the Exceed sprouted his wings and flew Natsu up to the window which Lucy never locked.
Climbing in, Natsu looked over to the bed which contained the sleeping Lucy. Ever since the Grand Magic Games and the Eclipse fiasco, Natsu has been spending more time with Lucy. Natsu and Happy climbed into the bed; Natsu on the right on Lucy, with Happy already curled up on the left.
Propped up on one elbow, he watched his partner and best friend sleep for a few minutes. He had watched her get thrown around like a rag doll by Raven in order to protect Asuka; he saw Minerva mercilessly attack her in the naval battle, almost killing her in front of the entire population of Fiore. A war between Fairy Tail and Sabertooth almost broke out which would have had devastating effects on the city of Crocus. Then he was no late to save her from Future Rogue, yes it had been Future Lucy who sacrificed herself to save Present Lucy but as Happy had said, 'Lucy is still Lucy'!
Something had awoken within him that moment; he had an overwhelming desire to protect her now more than ever. He didn't exactly know what that feeling was but he knew that he wasn't ever going to let her out of his sight but a situation became dangerous. He couldn't bear to lose her a second time.
He leant down until his lips were next to her ear. His nose was assaulted by her scent, strawberries and vanilla. He loved her scent and he thought it suited her nicely.
"Don't worry Luce, I'll keep you safe!" whispered Natsu before lying back down and going to sleep. His hand somehow ended up on Lucy's waist, as he fell into a deep slumber, one last thought ran through his mind. He didn't know how but for some reason his hand around her waist, just felt right.