One year later
It was Halloween and the accident in the woods had been practically forgotten. Lucy was being helped by Virgo into her costume as Cancer did her hair and makeup. Lucy decided she wanted to be a witch this year and was quite excited about trick or treating.
She couldn't contain her excitement.
She always looked forward to trick or treating with all her friends! This year her mom was one of the chaperones for their little group along with Silver.
"Can I go yet?!"
"Not yet, princess!" Virgo, her mother's maid smiled. "It will be a while before you're ready."
Lucy laughed. "You're right!"
"It's not even dark out yet, dear!"
Her mother then came in, dressed as a mediaeval queen. The small child's eyes sparkled.
"Wow! Can I wear that when I'm older?!"
"Of course! But I think it will be a while before it fits you!"
They both laughed, and Layla kept telling her daughter stories until it was time to go.
"Finally!"
The small child burst through the door, admiring all of the neighbour's costumes and decorations while she waited for her mother to come out.
"What do you think Erza is dressed as?! Or Mira?! Or Gray?! Or Cana?!"
"Calm down, dear!" Layla laughed, and led her daughter to the first house.
Lucy eagerly knocked on the door, and almost forgot what to say. Other children gathered around to get their candy.
"Trick or Treat!"
She jumped up and the small chocolate bar and other assorted candy banged against the empty bottom of her bucket.
"Thank you!"
The small child repeated this until she got to the house at the end of the street.
Then her brown eyes saw something.
This house was small, and close to the forest. It was always a mystery, but the people who lived there seemed nice. Once Lucy got her candy, she saw the bushes move.
"Mommy..."
"What is it, dear?"
"Something's in the forest...!"
Layla looked at the part the forest her daughter pointed towards but saw nothing.
"Honey there's nothing there" Layla said as she crouched down to her daughter.
Lucy looked around and saw a familiar creature.
At first, she thought it was just a kid in a costume, but then she realized it was the monster, and he was looking at her.
"Mommy…! Look over there... it's the monster…!" Lucy said with absolute terror in her voice.
"It's just a kid trick-or-treating!" Layla smiled. "Cmon, let's go!"
She moved on, but Lucy looked back, and saw yellow glowing eyes which belonged to a smiling face.
"No! It's the monster!" Lucy said as she screamed ran behind her mother, shaking.
The screams caused the little demon to scream too and run behind a nearby wall.
Layla heard the scream and looked in the direction of it as she saw the tip of a wing behind the nearby wall. As she got a slight better view of the creature behind the wall she recognized who it was.
"Hey, don't be scared! You can come out, I know your brother!" Layla said knowing exactly what to do.
"I… Don't have a brother… it's… just me..." He peeked out again, scaring Lucy.
"Ah!"
"Lucy... Don't be scared." Layla smiled gently.
"O-okay..." The small child turned to the so called 'monster', who finally came out behind the the wall.
"Do... You have a name...?" Lucy said, shaking nervously.
He shook his head. "N-no... P-people just... call me a monster..."
Layla took a step forwards. "That's not true. You're called Natsu."
He managed a small smile, and walked towards them.
"I like that...!"
"Wait a minute, what's that?" Layla gasped softly.
She noticed a bruise on the side of Natsu's head. Upon further inspection, the woman then realized why Natsu didn't remember his brother, he probably had amnesia from a hard hit to the head. Layla knew she would have to contact Zeref soon, but she saw how scared and probably lonely the little boy was and figured a little fun before she got him home was called for.
"Hey would you like to go trick or treating with us?"
He nodded slowly.
"U-usually this is the only time where I can come out of the forest…."
"Is It because of the costumes?"
Natsu nodded.
"Every other night, people will be scared of me…" The small demon looked guilty for some reason. "But tonight They'll give me food!" His tail wagged and his spirits were automatically lifted.
Lucy managed a small laugh.
"Well, after some trick or treating, I have something at home that could help you." Layla leaned down and smiled, knowing not to mention Zeref, because the boy didn't know who he was.
"Now come on, let's go before the rest of the group leaves without us!" She said very motherly towards the little boy, while carefully taking his clawed hand.
Lucy automatically took her mother's other hand, still somewhat scared.
