IMPORTANT: I DO NOT OWN THE COVER PHOTO OR ANY OF THE FAIRY TAIL CHARACTERS/PLOT: ALL CREDIT GOES TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS!
~3rd Person P.O.V~
"Lu? What's wrong?" A silver exceed questioned as she flew around her mistresses head. "Nothing, just awaiting the inevitable." Lucy groaned slightly as her enhanced hearing picked up distant, high pitched, girlish screams. "Well you got the gate key you wanted, saved 1,000 jewel on it too! You upset cause' you have to ride the train again?" The cat prodded. "You'll see Saiya, you'll see." Lucy shook her head as she pushed onward, flinching as the screams grew louder and closer.
"Salamander you're so dreamy!"
"Please marry me!"
"We love you!"
"The blonds eye twitched as she came increasingly closer to the swarming crowd of screaming fan-girls, fighting the urge not to claw out her eardrums so she couldn't hear their incessant cries any longer. "Cover your ears." Lucy said to her exceed as she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and braced herself for what was to come. Holding her precious companion to her chest, Lucy began to make her way to the hell on earth before her. "I'll pray for our survival, Lucy!" Saiya dramatically cried as she squeezed her sky blue eyes shut and gripped onto the material of the blonds cloak with her tiny paws. Meanwhile, Lucy found herself with an internal battle; while she knew if would be wrong, and downright cruel, to punch the living daylights out of the girls that were currently elbowing her and shoving her -not to mention those deadly claws known as their nails- she struggled not to pay them back for the bruises she would most likely have, had it not been for her rigorous training and enhanced durability.
"I'm having a party on my yacht later tonight, I'd love it if all you gorgeous ladies could make it." 'Salamander' winked causing the crowd to swoon, excluding Saiya and Lucy of course. The blue haired fire mage practically fainted as Lucy walked past him without so much as a glance. Even if it was one of utter disgust or annoyance, it would suffice! But she didn't, and the 'Salamander' was not one to be ignored. "And who might you be?" He questioned as he not to gently caught the cloaked girl by her wrist. "Its awfully hot to be wearing a cloak in this weather, don't you think? Please, show me that pretty face of yours." 'Salamander' purred as he moved to pull Lucy's hood down. "Get your filthy hands off of me you pedophile." The blond hissed as she yanked her hand away from the mans grasp. "Pedophile?!" The fire mage gasped as all color drained from his face.
"Igneel! Igneel! I've been looking all over -who the hell are you?" Natsu deadpanned as he broke through the mosh-pit of women and saw the blue haired man. "Why, I'm the one and only Salamander! Now scram kid, you're making me look bad." 'Salamander' coughed the last part of his statement before regaining his 'suave' attitude. "About my yacht," He continued causing Lucy to scoff in distaste. "Does this guy even hear himself? I thought the Salamander was a great fire mage, not a total creep and womanizer." She said rather to herself before finally emerging from the pool of desperation. "That's too bad. That Salamander guy was a total letdown." Saiya shook her head in disbelief. "That, right there, just proved that you never listen to rumors." Lucy sighed as she pulled the hook of her cloak down.
"Hey! You dropped this!" Natsu yelled as he chased after the blond and her exceed. "My necklace!" The silver cat gasped as she hastily flew over to the pinkette and snatched the said object from his hands. It was a small silver pendant with the initials 'L.S'*on the center, attached to a chain that could be adjusted to fit around her neck. After reattaching the jewelry to her body, Saiya flew back over to Lucy and sat down on her shoulder. Said blond was currently looking at Natsu and his partner from the corners of her eyes as the name he previously yelled echoed through her mind. 'Where have I heard that name?' She asked herself as she clenched her fists.
Natsu's eyes widened as the girl turned around without so much as a thank you and began to make her way back out to the main streets. "Natsu? What are you doing?" Happy asked in confusion as the pinkette suddenly dove behind a trash can and watched the girl move from a crouched position. Not even bothering to answer his partners question, Natsu got up and chased after the blond each time she moved, hiding poorly behind cover that was smaller than himself. "Does he think we're stupid?" Saiya giggled as she spotted the boy hiding behind a light pole on the side of the road. "If anyone's an idiot its him." Lucy smirked before turning another corner. Afraid he'd loose his target, Natsu bolted forward only to skid to a stop as he moved to turn the corner. "There Lucy stood in all of her glory, arms crossed over her chest, as she looked up at the boy with an unimpressed expression. "First off, hiding behind something doesn't mean I can't see you; especially if you're bigger than the object you choose." The blond began. "And secondly, I would be able to hear your stomach growling from a mile away. Are you stupid or something?" Lucy snorted.
Her smirk fell and a small frown took its place as Natsu didn't respond and instead stared intently at her face. Now that he had a good look at her, up close, Natsu concluded that the girl before him was beautiful. His guild mates always called him an idiot, he had his moments, but he wasn't blind nor ignorant to feminine charm. Her blond hair, which had a gold touch to it, was pulled back in a messy ponytail that only added to her wild persona. A few strands of her glossy hair remained down and free from its style and effectively framed her face. With plump pink lips and the perfect complexion, defined cheekbones, full lashes and beautiful eyes; she looked like the definition of perfection. And her eyes, oh her eyes, were a beautiful shade of chocolate brown with golden specks swimming in her brown hues. Looks weren't everything, this he knew, but the blond before him was beautiful in her own way. She wasn't a gentle pretty like Mirajaine, who gave off a soft friendly look. Nor a hard beauty like Erza, who was more like a fierce warrior. No, she was a mixture of the two.
Natsu snapped out of his daze as the black and white cloak vanished from her body, Lucy unknowingly complying to his inner wishes as he could now see her entire appearance. Her upper torso was covered by a skintight black shirt that had sleeves that extended to her forearms while the bottom of the shirt ended just below her ribs and extended her lower stomach and back for the naked eye to see. A pair of brown boots adorned her feet and black leggings the rest of her lower half, accompanied by a belt of gold, blue, and orange dragon scales around her waist. She reminded him of a treasure hunter, in a way, but Natsu decided she fit the look.
"That guy was almost as creepy as the 'Salamander' we met. He was staring at you hard, Lu." Saiya snickered as she and Lucy left Natsu and his blue cat behind. "Natsu? Why are we still following these strangers?" Happy whined. "I know her from somewhere." Natsu murmured as his feet began to move on their own.
"A booth, please." Lucy said to her waitress after entering a small diner. "Of course. Please follow me, Miss." The brunette smiled as she led her customer to her desired location. "I'll take everything I can get with this." Lucy explained before the girl could begin to ask her what she wanted, dropping a pouch of coins into her hand as she did so. "R-right. I'll have your food out as soon as its ready." Her waitress coughed before scurrying away. The blond let out a breath of relief as she relaxed into the chair and got the much needed rest her body required after three straight days of traveling. "Saiya?" "Yes Lucy?" The exceed looked up at her mistress, who's eyes were shut as she leaned into the comfy cushions of the booth. "Please tell me that I am wrong, that pink haired stalker and his stupid cat aren't here?" "Sorry Lu. I don't lie." Her partners response made Lucy scrunch up her nose in distaste.
"What do you want 'Pinky'?" Lucy questioned as she popped an eye open to look at her, unwanted, guest. "Do I know you from somewhere?" "You tell me." Lucy immediately shut her eye at the boys own question as the same feeling from before churned in her stomach and made her throat constrict. "Natsu." Said male suddenly blurted out as he offered the girl his hand. "My name." He added as she opened her eyes to gaze at the extended limb. "This is Happy." He gestured to the blue exceed with his free hand. "Lucy. This is Saiya." The blond tilted her head toward her silver companion before hesitantly returning his gesture of kindness. Both parties barely suppressed stunned expressions as their skin touched, bolts of hot electricity surging through their veins upon contact. Lucy and Natsu quickly yanked their hands away from one another, unsure as to whether or not they enjoyed the foreign feeling or not.
The awkward silence was dispelled as the brown haired waitress returned with two carts full of food. "Could I get you anything else?" "No. This will be all, thank you." Lucy shook her head, ignoring the soft 'Oh thank god' she muttered after scurrying away. "Stop pouting and eat already." The blond suddenly snapped as she looked away with a slight blush. "You look even more stupid than you normally do." She added in an attempt to keep up her cold persona facade. "You're weird, Lupy." Natsu laughed before digging into the lunch before him like the beast he really was. "Its Lucy!" She yelled before she began to eat as well. "So what are you two doing in Hargeon?" Happy asked in curiosity, through bites of the fish he was munching on. "Lucy and I are looking for Celestial Gate Keys. We're hoping that if we find all the zodiac we can find her dad!" Saiya explained after gulping down a bite of a strawberry. "Huh? Well what happened to your dad? Why'd he leave?" Happy prodded. "July 7th x777. My dragon, Draco, disappeared. When I woke up he was gone." Lucy stiffly explained as her hand stroked the belt on her waist.
"Eh?! Natsu! That's when Igneel left too! Maybe they're together-!" "No." The blond cut the blue exceed off before he could finish. "Most of the dragons didn't get along, always fighting. He'd never be with anyone else." The pink haired slayers sharp eyes took note of how Lucy clenched her fist until her knuckles turned white. "Tch. I'll crush that stupid old man and show him what happens when you leave without a proper goodbye. And to think he'd always yell at me for my bad manners." The blond said more to herself than to the other three present at the table, a distant and almost sad look forming in her eyes as she did so. "Staring is rude. And try to chew with your mouth shut, you're disgusting." Was the last thing she said before resuming eating. It was only until a small portion of the food was left did Lucy stand up, her exceed following her lead, before they were making their way out of the booth.
"You're leaving?" The boy questioned after he gulped down a large mouthful of food to fill the never ending void, better known as his stomach. "Yes. Consider my debt repaid." "Debt?" Natsu and Happy echoed. "That 'Salamander' was using charm magic. While it didn't have the effect to make me fall head over heels for him, I did feel the distant pull from the magic. Had you not stepped in when you did there's no telling what could have happened." Lucy explained as she ensured that all her keys were safely attached to her belt before her cloak reappeared on her body. "Wait!" Natsu yelped as he grabbed onto the girls wrist. "Will I ever see you again?" The blond kept her eyes pinned forward as she answered, gently pulling her wrist away as she did so.
"Only the stars will tell."
And just like that she left again. For a split second a short memory of a small blond girl flashed through Natsu's mind before he heard Happy's voice. "Natsu? Natsu? Are you ok? You look a bit pale!" "I'm fine Happy! Just hungry!" The boy laughed before resuming his face stuffing, the blonds words echoing through his mind all the while.
"Lu? Are you sure you're alright? You've been acting weird all day." Saiya said in concern. "Mm." She nodded her head as she shut her eyes and began her walk around Haregon Port. "We're not going to hop on a train straight to Fairy Tail?" She prodded only to continue before Lucy had a chance to respond. "Ne, Lucy~ You liked that boy, didn't you?" Saiya snickered as she flew around Lucy's head. "Don't think I didn't see you blush, either. Or your surprised expression when you touched his hand. You liiike him!" The silver exceed teased. "Unless you want a face full of dirt I suggest you shut it, damn cat." The cat shivered in fear at the sickly sweet smile plastered on the blonds face before she bit her tongue. "Yes ma'm!" She mock saluted. "Saiya, stay close." Lucy suddenly ordered as she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. "We're being tailed. Fly low or let me carry you." She added before subtly picking up her pace. Saiya eased into her mistresses arms before they disappeared into the busy streets of the marketplace, hiding themselves within the crowd of the customers as they easily escaped their new stalkers. "Is it Natsu and Happy again?"
"No. I think they may be associated with that 'Salamander' guy." Lucy spoke in a hushed tone but loud enough for the exceed to hear her. "I didn't think much of it before because I thought he was just using the charm magic to boost his own ego, but if I'm right and these guys are with the 'Salamander', this could spell trouble." The blond explained as she turned down a corner. "But what else would he be using the charms for?" Her partner asked in confusion. "I'm not sure, but do you remember a few years back, there was a guy who went by the name 'Bora the Prominence'?" "You mean the one from Titan Nose?" Saiya tilted her head to the left as she peered up at Lucy herself. "That's the one. He got kicked out because he was using charm magic to aid in the act of stealing. He looked so familiar too, I just couldn't get a good look at him without being under the threat of being put under his spell."
"But still, Lu. What would the 'Salamander' be doing with illegal magic?" "I don't know, but we're about to find out." Lucy put her hand over her keys as she continued onward. "Libra, you up for some fun?" Said spirits key hummed slightly in response causing the blond to smirk. "Right, here's the plan..."
"Ah man, the boss is gonna be so angry that we lost the girl!" One of his lackeys cried from his spot on the ground. "D-don't be so worried! W-we can find her before the yacht leaves!" His partner gulped. "Excuse me?" A female voice snapped the two thugs out of their daze before they were met with the sight of the blond herself. "Would you happen to know where a hotel is around here? I'm a bit afraid I'm lost." Lucy innocently questioned as she continued playing the role of the innocent, naive, little girl. "Oh! Yeah! There's one right around the corner!" The thug with black hair and a scar down the left side of his face quickly explained as he jumped up. "Here, you can follow us! We don't bite!" The green haired thug grinned. Lucy flashed them a sweet smile as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I don't doubt that. Lead the way, gentlemen." And as the duo turned their back on the blond, they missed the deadly expression that crossed her features while she clenched her fists by her side.
She'd definitely make them pay for messing with her
"Are you sure this is the right way? This place looks a little... scarce." Lucy asked with her hands behind her back. "Oh yeah, we grew up around this area. Just down this ally is the hotel, a short cut you could say." The black haired man explained as he gestured to the dimly lit space. "Through here?" Lucy batted her eyes at the men as she stepped into the narrow opening of the alleyway. "Yep." They chorused as the blond turned her back to them. Lucy couldn't help but smirk at how perfectly her plan worked out as she spotted Libra on the roof to her left and Saiya high up in the air. "Miss? Are you alright? Why did you stop?" The brown haired man questioned as Lucy suddenly stopped walking. "Who sent you to capture me?" The blond asked as she glanced at the two men from over her shoulder. "P-pardon?" "Why are you following me? Who do you work for?!" She repeated. "So the pretty little blond figured out our plan. To bad you were too late!" They sneered before drawing their swords.
The 'Salamanders' lackeys cried out in pain as a heavy weight was suddenly applied to their backs before they were laying in a deep crater, writhing in pain under Libra's gravity magic. "I'll ask once more. If you don't answer my questions Libra will increase the gravity applied to your bodies. Who sent you?" The two thugs weakly glared up at the blond as she crouched in front of their pained forms. "P-piss off!" One of them choked only to wheeze in pain as the pressure increased tenfold. "A-agh! It was B-Bora!" The second thug cried in pain as he finally confessed. "Bora as in 'Bora the Prominence'?" Lucy narrowed her eyes at them causing the two thugs to flinch in fear. "Y-yes! He sent us to capture you!" "Why?" The blond hissed. "B-Bora! He's been kidnapping w-women! Posing as the Salamander to l-lure them in!" "Where is he?!" "On his yacht! He's p-probably leaving as we speak!"
With a wave of her masters hand Libra cut off her gravity and watched as Lucy took a step back from the thugs. "Listen closely. If I ever see you two doing work like this again, I'll do a lot more than just crush your body with gravity. Got it?" "Yes boss!" They suddenly bowed. "Boss?" Lucy mused as she placed a hand on her hip. "Yes! We shall follow any order you give, boss!" The two thugs vigorously nodded their heads. "What are your names?" "Frederick." The one with black hair answered. "But you can call me 'scar'." He added. "Kyle." The brunette chimed in as he cast his eyes to the ground. "Well, Kyle, Frederick. My name is Lucy, none of this 'boss' business, alright?" Lucy couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Yes Miss Lucy!" "Stay out of trouble, I mean it!" Lucy exclaimed as she ran forward and down the ally. "Our boss sure is pretty." Kyle sighed as he watched the girl run off. "You said it."
"Thanks for the help Libra." Lucy thanked her spirit. "Anytime Lucy-san." Came Libra's simple response before she vanished back to the Spirit World. "Saiya! You can come on down now! We've got work to do!" The slayer yelled up to her exceed as she ran down the dim streets. The sun had set long ago and let the stars come out to play as the blond and her partner weaved in-between houses and whatever people still busied the streets. "What now, Lu?" Saiya asked as she flew after the girl. "I'm gonna show that bastard he made a mistake ever meeting me." Lucy smirked. And as the blond sprinted from one side of Hargeon to the other she couldn't help but think about how eventful her day had really been. She met a weird boy named Natsu and his annoying cat Happy, ate lunch with them, ran away from some thugs; who later on called her their boss, and now she was about to crash a 'party'. However, the effects of her long day, and three days of previous traveling were starting to take a toll on her body. On her journey around Fiore she'd ended up finding the legendary Thirteenth Zodiac Key; Ophiuchus. The blond had to swim to the bottom of a lake to find the key, since Aqarius refused to help her to the bottom. With the addition of Ophiuchus Lucy had contracts with six of the thirteen Zodiac Keys, including; Taurus the Bull, Cancer the Crab, Aquarius the Water Bearer, Libra the Scales, Pisces the Paired Fish, and Ophiuchus the Snake Charmer. She was doing pretty well if she did say so herself.
"You know, this is something a guild mage would do! Its like you're a member of Fairy Tail already!" Natsu's ears picked up the voice of a familiar silver exceed, followed by her blond friend. "I wish!" And lo' behold the duo revealed themselves. "I'm sure they'll accept you Lu! You're a great mage!" "Hopefully they will, Saiya." The pinkette's heart couldn't help but speed up as he listened in on the two girls conversation. Lucy skidded to a stop in front of a stone railing and pressed her hands flat against the cool material. As she took a deep breath in through her nose, her eyes widened as the scent of cinnamon and firewood smothered her senses, before she was looking to her left at a familiar face. "Hey." Lucy had to remind herself to breathe as he stood up. "Hey." Natsu gulped. "What're you still doing here?" Natsu inquired as he took a step closer to the blond. "Bout' to crash a yacht party." Lucy was surprised she could even muster up the words to speak, considering how suffocated she felt now that he was face to face with her. "Mind if I join?" It was at that moment Natsu became all to aware of how husky and raw his voice came out, something he didn't even intend to do in the first place. His voice sent a shiver down the blonds spine, something his onyx eyes didn't miss, and it almost tore a primal growl from his throat.
"Not at all." Lucy coughed as she tore her eyes away from Natsu's. "You may want to wait here though." The blond advised as she jumped onto the railing. "I'll bring the ship back to port, just be ready to fight." She explained causing him to smirk. "Sure thing." And with that they were off. Saiya flew full speed out to the ocean only to stop halfway through. "Uh oh." Saiya gulped causing Lucy to look up in concern. "Your magic is all up?!" "Sorry!" The blond yanked her exceed into her chest for protection and braced herself for the hard impact that was to come. When her body hit the cool waters below it forced all the air out of her lungs and sent the blond breaking through the surface with a gasp. "Luuccyy! Are you alright -ah!" Said mage sweatdropped as Happy promptly fell into the waters just as she and Saiya had done because of the same problem. "We saw you fall so we wanted to make sure you were alright!" Happy explained. "I'm fine." Lucy shook her head as she yanked a key off of her belt. "Open! Gate of the Water Bearer: Aquarius!" In a flash of blinding light the mermaid spirit appeared with a deadly glare, directed straight for her master.
"Tch. What'd you call me here for, stupid brat?" "Those guys on that boat over there said you were an ugly old lady, incapable of having a boyfriend." The blond swiftly lied. "Did they now?!" Aquarius seethed as her eyes took a red glint, raising her urn over her head before releasing a giant wave with a war cry. Water surrounded Lucy and the exceeds once more before they were back on solid ground coughing up said substance. "I'm the Salamander, member of Fairy Tail! How dare you!" Bora yelled as he emerged from his, now, shipwrecked yacht. "Someone who uses magic power to hurt others." Lucy seethed as Natsu helped her up. "You're the worst kind of wizard alive!" "Boohoo!" Bora sneered. "You claim to be a member of Fairy Tail." Natsu exclaimed as he dropped his bag, Lucy following in his suit and let her cloak disappear. "But I've never seen you before! I won't let anyone dirty the guilds name!"
"Bora! I've seen these two before!" Someone paled. "Don't call me that!" "The white scarf, the belt of scales. That's the Salamander of Fairy Tail and the Ruler of the Stars*!" "Shut up! Prominence Typhoon!" While Natsu simply ate the blue fire Lucy let a golden aura surround her body while she walked straight through the attack. "Celestial/Fire Dragon Wing Attack!" Both slayers yelled at the same time before the two attacks morphed into one. Bora cried out in fear and surprise as the attack hit him and his lackeys, turning them into nothing more than a charred mess. The two attacks did more damage than Lucy and Natsu intended and caused the same nervousness to grip at both mage's gut. "Run!" While Lucy moved to run back down the ally she emerged from, her eyes widened to feel Natsu link his fingers with hers before he was dragging her down the street. "You said you wanted to join Fairy Tail right?" He asked over the sound of thundering footsteps. "Lets go then!" Natsu smiled at the girl from over his shoulder. Meanwhile, two exceeds were flying in the air above the slayer duo and slapped tiny paws over their mouths in an attempt to smother their snickers.
"They liiike each-other!"
And even thought Natsu and Lucy both heard the taunting remark, loud and clear, neither said anything about it. In fact, they only tightened their grip on one another hand's and picked up the pace. Lucy didn't know it then but she had officially signed up for a long string of adventures and hardships. She could only hope what she was doing wasn't going to prove to be a mistake. Who knows, maybe she would open up to the emotional little girl she used to be and would finally drop the cold facade.
A/N: So, I'm feeling a bit daring~
Just started one fanfic about a week ago, still have to finish Savior, and now I'm writing another fanfic!
I'll update them all accordingly though so no need to worry~~~~~~
*LS: The initials on Saiya's necklace stand for Lucy x Saiya (in case anyone was confused)
I apologize if there are any grammatical errors; point them out and I will change it~
I think that's about it... I have my last week of band camp tomorrow. I'm so stressed out. Weapon line is killing me :(((((((
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-xxTheNightmareBeforexx