Crystal: I understand the first chapter was definitely fast paced, but it's for a reason and you'll see lol
Friends
Lucy still sat quietly by the tree as tears spread down her face. Her father was right. She was going insane and the strange students at this school seemed to be in the same crazy state. But she knew she had seen fire and ice magic. But again it could have been her eyes playing tricks on her. She shook her head, heavily sighing and wiping at her tears. She didn't even hear when footsteps lightly tapped from behind her. "Hey", the voice muttered as Lucy gasped turning to find Natsu there.
"N-Natsu, you startled me", Lucy muttered back relieved. Natsu sat next to her giving her a sheepish smile. "Just so you know, and I understand that you are confused, but everything I told you was true. You're not crazy and we're not crazy", Natsu said almost cautiously. Lucy turned to him curiously and hummed. "Prove it", she said looking at him seriously. After a slight pause Natsu sighed and stretched out a hand, and in an instant a small fire appeared at his hand. Lucy's eyes widened and she smiled widely in awe.
She tentatively moved a hand to reach, but she paused before touching them. "Oh, these are flames of emotion. They don't hurt unless I want them to. These flames only hurt enemies especially when I'm angry. They charge on emotions", Natsu gave her a boyish grin. Lucy blinked her eyes before her finger tips grazed the flames. "They're very... Warm", Lucy smiled fondly as they reminded her of her mother's warmth that she missed so much. Natsu chuckled and then just like that the flames disappeared.
"Look, let's start over again. Pretend you didn't know anything of what me and Mirajane told you. I want to be your friend, Luigi. So...hi I'm Natsu", Natsu grinned widely standing to stretch out a hand to her. Lucy giggled and took his hand. "Alright...And the name's Lucy not Luigi", she remarked with a shake. "Alright, I'll introduce you to the gang. It should be lunch time by now", Natsu chuckled pulling her along. Lucy blushed as he held her hand. He was attractive and kind even a bit weird with the first impression he gave her, but he wanted to be her friend.
Natsu ran through the corridors with Lucy in tow until he opened two red colored doors to find a noisy bustling crowd. Natsu got a glimpse of Gray who flinched at looking at her. The others in the table looked up to see her and smiled. "Hey everyone, I'd like you to meet Lucy. From today onwards she'll be part of our team", Natsu grinned widely. "I'm Erza Scarlet, student council president of Fairy Academy. it's a pleasure", the red head next to Gray smiled. "Lucy Heartfilia", she greeted with a shy smile. "Hey um... sorry about earlier, Lucy", Gray scratched his head in shame.
"Don't worry about it, and just because my dad is wealthy doesn't mean I'll cause harm to you", Lucy chuckled. Gray grinned relieved as Lucy sat down with them. Lucy snapped her fingers remembering her forgotten lunch box. "Hime, I came to bring you your lunch", Virgo interrupted her. "Virgo, you followed me to school?" Lucy questioned. "Oh, you're a celestial mage?" Erza asked in awe. "Celestial what?" Lucy said confused turning slightly to see Virgo gone. "Erza, about that, Lucy doesn't know anything about our school yet. We need to teach her everything. She needs to begin learning how to use her keys", Natsu tried to say as he devoured his lunch.
"Ah, then I shall start by explaining it to you. Fairy Academy is a prestigious institution academically as you must have heard. But we have a secret as do other of the top academy's in the nation. To other academies with the same prestige as ours we refer to each other as guilds. As you know, magic is considered a myth, but that is only because it was forgotten and most of it disappeared for its lack of use. Of course, there were those who found this situation better for the world and let the memories of magic disappear. We are the individuals who have been grouped because we possess magic. Our ancestors passed along their magic to us. They are of the few who remained with the knowledge of magic. It might seem crazy, but it's all the truth. Even mythical creatures exist hidden from others. We are called guilds because those who believe in magic request for us to rid of those creatures. Then we erase the memories to keep our magic a secret", Erza explained leaning on her elbows.
"Why keep it a secret when people can truly see you as heroes?" Lucy asked. Erza looked at her with a scary looking expression. "Because just as there is good in the world, there is bad. There are dark guilds, academies who seek to crush us by manipulating and infecting the students with wounded hearts. They use the darkness of students and nurture their hatred and sorrow and despair and make them want to cause destruction to cure their pain. Not to mention, no one would believe us or far worse we could be killed", Erza explained to her. Lucy hummed in understanding. "But all I have are these zodiac keys", Lucy said pulling at the ring of gold and silver keys.
"Those are what people call the celestial keys containing celestial spirits. Celestial mages are rare, and having someone like you in our team will be helpful", Gray grinned as Natsu nodded excitedly. "Happy!" He yelled loudly. 'Happy? Does he express his emotions like this?' Lucy thought suddenly, but gaped as soon as a blue cat with wings came sprawling onto the table. "Aye sir!" He yelled happily. "Talking...winged...blue cat?!" Lucy said shocked. "Oh sorry, this is Happy. I found his egg when I was younger. Happy, this is Lucy", Natsu smiled. The blue cat turned and smiled. "Hi Lushy!" He said in a cute manner that Lucy couldn't help, but smile.
Later that day, Natsu, Gray, and Erza took Lucy out to the gardens on the open plain field. "Do you have any sort of idea of how to use them?" Natsu asked with arms crossed. Lucy blinked pulling one gold key out cautiously. It was the zodiac sign of Aries. She breathed in and for some reason she felt like she knew what she was supposed to do. She extended the key as if opening an invisible lock and said hesitantly, "Gate of the ram, I open thee, Aries." Immediately a pink haired young woman appeared before her with a short sheep dress above her thighs. Lucy grinned widely and looked at her new team mates.
"I did it!" She yelled happily. Natsu in the excitement as well ran to hug her up in the air as she laughed. "That was awesome, Lucy!" He chuckled as she suddenly blushed. He placed her down scratching his head and smiling sheepishly. "Amazing", Erza grinned impressed. "Aries, thank you for coming out", Lucy smiled brightly. Aries nodded shyly before disappearing. "Well this is the start", Gray announced with a grin as they continued training her.
~~xXXx~~
Weeks soon passed and Lucy had begun to master with ease both summoning her spirits and fighting. She'd even mastered summoning two spirits at once. Lucy huffed falling in her knees and everyone rushed to her side. "Lucy!" Natsu yelled holding her. "Don't be so overprotective Natsu", Lucy tried to laugh off her exhaustion. Natsu gave her a light but still worried side grin. "Besides being your protector, we're also nakama. Don't you forget." Lucy nodded and sighed longingly before passing out. Natsu looked about ready to panic until Gray slapped the back of his head. "Watch it, Popsicle!" Natsu growled. "You damn, Flamebrain. You made her overwork herself again. Some protector you are!" Gray growled.
Natsu was about to stand and fight, but Lucy gave a blissful yawn and he stopped himself. "She certainly feels content. Especially seeing how she smiles so brightly now to how she use to before we started being her friends", Erza commented with a motherly like smile. Natsu buckled Lucy in his arms before carrying her. "Well off to let her get some rest", Natsu chuckled. "You haven't told her, have you?" Erza muttered as Gray looked at him expectantly as well. Natsu remained quiet and shook his head. "I'm not sure how'd she'd take it. For now I won't bother", he chuckled childishly.
By the time Lucy woke up she saw Natsu sitting at a chair next to her bed snoring lightly. Lucy smiled and studied his features. He'd been with her for what seemed such a long time, but she couldn't help but have doubts on whether he truly meant being her friend or was simply doing it out of responsibility. She sat up thinking to herself of a recent dream she had. It was a troubling nightmare, it would be more accurate to say. Flames everywhere, not warm like Natsu's, but simply terrifying and deadly. Bodies everywhere. A singing voice floating through the eerie atmosphere. She realized it had come from her. It was like a song of mourning. Someone had wrapped their hands protectively around her before an explosion took place and then she simply woke up.
"Luce, why...you crying?" Natsu suddenly asked as he rubbed his eyes from his half sleep state. Lucy blinked bring hands to touch the drops falling down her cheeks, but they seemed so unfamiliar and familiar at the same time. As if she'd cried about something important, but just couldn't seem to remember. "Oh, this must be because I yawned", she laughed wiping the drops away. "Hey, uh, I was wondering if you were up to go get some ice cream down the town", Natsu said trying to contain a blush that threatened to spread on his cheeks.
Lucy nodded shyly as Natsu gave her another of his boyish grins. "ALRIGHT! Let's go!" He laughed pulling her out the door, but she froze at the sight of her father. "Father..." She said simply looking up at him. Natsu blinked confused and stared blankly at the man before him. He was still holding on to Lucy's hand and Judo fumed. "How dare you hold her hand so casually and come out of her room like this?! She's a Heartfilia lady and a fiend like yourself will not lay a hand on her!" He yelled angrily. Natsu narrowed his eyes at him his free hand balling into a fist. "He's my friend! Don't talk to him like that!" Lucy yelled before a stinging pain reached her cheek.
Lucy's eyes widened realizing her dad had just slapped her across the face. Natsu was stunned silent as Lucy held back her tears with firm stubbornness. Her father grabbed her arm tight enough to be painful as he pulled her down the halls. "Insolent brat, at this instant we'll be returning home!" He growled as Lucy tried pulling at his grasp. Natsu ran after them as Lucy had caught the attention of everyone in the school that followed them to the front entrance. Lucy clenched her teeth as she finally pulled back with a great force. "Stop!" Lucy yelled before she pushed back Judo. She huffed angrily trying to regain her breath.
Natsu gently tugged at her arm as she rose a hand to signal she was fine. Everyone had begun muttering between themselves. Lucy looked up at Judo with angry tears as her cheek was still red.
"I told you! I'm not longer under your control the moment you sent me here! I'm my own person. A person with feelings, with dreams, with hopes! You can't just show up here and expect me to listen to you! You abandoned me and mother. You said nothing when she died... So no. I'm not going anywhere. FAIRYTAIL IS MY HOME AND ITS PEOPLE MY NAKAMA!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. All the students smiled brightly and began cheering. Natsu grinned widely as everyone clapped and cheered.
"Yeah!" The students roared as Gray and Erza made their way passed the crowd along with Levy. "Sorry sir, but we will not let you take Lucy", Erza said defiantly. "Lucy-chan belongs with Fairytail!" Levy huffed. Natsu stood in front of Lucy with a serious expression. "Only over my dead body will you take, Lucy", he muttered. Judo narrowed his eyes. "She's MY daughter and if I please she'll go home with me", Judo growled. "Actually Mr. Heartfilia, Lucy is officially under my custody. You signed over her custody in our agreement. I did advise you to read the paper work", a old voice spoke up. "Gramp!" Natsu grinned relieved.
"Master!" Erza said bowing. Mira had walked in with the school principal Makarov. Judo shook his head in disbelief. Everyone remained in high spirits that is until Judo pulled out a certain document that made everyone still. "Unless Lucy comes home. Fairytail will be shut down. After all, my wealth can do anything", Judo grinned as Makarov simply said, "I'm willing to take that risk." Everyone sucked in a breath of shock as they began to argue against. "Fine... I'll go", Lucy spoke up. "No Lucy!" Natsu said disheartened. She simply smiled at him as tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Come along quick" her father spoke sharply. Natsu held her arm pleadingly. "Lucy...Luce... Don't." Lucy looked down placing a hand over his. "It's been great here. Seriously, the best, but I'm doing it for your sake and the school's. We'll always be nakama. The time we spent together was the best and I'll never forget it", she cried suddenly hugging him tightly. Natsu hugged back breathing in as much as he could of her before she would leave. She let go waving to her classmates. They all had tear stricken faces. Happy clung to her arm in tears, but she only patted his head softy.
Makarov came up to her with a stamp at hand seemingly. He pressed the mark on her right hand and smiled. "This means you're officially one of us and that mark won't erase ever Lucy", he smiled as Lucy nodded admiring the mark. She sighed and finally followed her father to their ride. Natsu clenched his fists tightly seeing her depart. He suddenly was engulfed in flame as he was angry. "Like hell I'll just let you take her like that", he growled furiously before running out the gates as Erza and Gray followed suit getting into the school's transportation driven by Levy.
~~xXXx~~
"So that's why you wanted me home for?! For an arranged marriage to increase your wealth!" Lucy yelled shaking in anger. "If you don't agree, I could always just disband your beloved Fairytail Academy", Judo said casually. "That won't be necessary", Lucy sighed defeated. She shuffled out of her dad's study her dress fluttering as she walked. She was back to wearing extravagantly expensive gowns, makeup, and complicated hairstyles. She admitted she looked nice, but it still felt so wrong. She already missed everyone especially her best friend Natsu. She sat in her room looking up as the sky darkened announcing the night.
This man she would marry would be arriving any time now to examine his 'wife'. Lucy opened her balcony windows letting the fresh night air tickle her face. Again it felt familiar. This sensation. A knock at her door told her everything was over for her. She dismissed the maid who'd come for her as she made her way downstairs. A teen her age was there, but he was overweight and poking his nose. When he saw her he sniffed back whatever mucus still lingered in her nose making Lucy cringe. Her father was there with the teen's equally plump parents. "My what lovely lady", the teen's mother remarked excitedly.
Lucy bowed before them as the perfect daughter her father wanted her to be. They were led to the living room where Judo forced her to sit next to the booger boy. He smiled but his view had gone straight for her chest instead of her eyes. She sighed crossing her arms in which said teen blushed at having been caught. "I'm so excited to compromise our children it's never a bad decision to have arranged marriages no matter the year", Judo grinned almost charmingly if Lucy hadn't known her father's true intentions. "Your daughter is definitely a beauty at the level of my son", the boy's father chuckled.
Lucy tried not to shudder at the obvious way she knew she was way over his type. "I'm sure they'll have a happy marriage", Judo said. Lucy spent the whole conversation giving a few nods and shakes no and then, but she was more thinking of the school she'd left behind. When the guest had finally left Lucy tried her best to keep a smile even as booger boy slobbered a kiss over her hand. But once they were out Lucy frowned stomping up the stairs disregarding her father's calls. She locked her door as she ran to the restroom to wash her hands. "Disgusting! I should of imagined Channing Tatum kissing my hand!" She yelled.
She dried her hands noticing the emblem her principal had left on her hand. She went into the room hearing a noise coming from the window. She walked out into the balcony once more hearing only the rustling of trees in the breeze. She looked up at the moon which was full and white like a pearl. But once she looked slightly done she was met with two gorgeous emerald eyes staring right at her. She yelped stepping back to see a pink haired teen with a boyish grin sitting at her balcony. "N-Natsu?! What are you doing here?" She asked in disbelief. He only smiled grabbing a hold of her while throwing her over his shoulder.
"While obviously I'm taking you back home", he grinned. Lucy only closed her eyes with a smile tears spreading down her cheeks. This was so Natsu. "But what about Fairy Academy?" Lucy asked as he jumped off gracefully to the floor before shifting Lucy into a bridal style position. "Erza and Gray got the document. Like hell in letting you get married to a snob", Natsu grinned. Lucy blushed before laughing heartily. "Thank you, Natsu", she smiled holding onto him so she wouldn't fall. "Let's go home, Luce", he grinned as the carried her to their transportation. "By the way did you gain weight? You're kinda heavier", Natsu commented. Lucy hit his head with a punch. "Idiot! It's the damn dress!" She yelled as Natsu laughed loudly.
They didn't even notice the shadow lurking nearby with glowing red eyes. "I finally found you, Lucy Heartfilia", it muttered with an eerily deep voice.
Crystal: finally done! It's sort of slowing down the pace but I know it's still going fast. Don't worry it'll get slower. As for next chapter I need a bit more patience since I have tons of exams coming up
