Natsu woke up that morning, rushing to the cafeteria to get something to eat before the school bell rang. When he walked inside there was a huge crowd. They looked so excited, but Natsu didn't care, He needed something to eat. He grabbed whatever there was left and started munching down on it. After finishing he took a look at the large crowd. He spotted Gray and Erza. And a few others that sat at his table but he still couldn't remember their names. And then there was Lucy. The blonde haired girl was on the opposite side of where he saw Gray and Erza. She was just standing there jumping up a few times trying to see over the bobbing heads of the other students. Natsu walked on over and stood behind her.

" So... what's happening over here?" Shocked the blonde girl jumped forward almost hitting the person in front of her. She turned around, her eyes were wide, " Sorry, did I scare you?" Natsu laughed.

" No!" Her face turned red, " I just didn't expect you..." she muttered.

" So, what's happening over here?" Natsu repeated.

" The principle has something to say. Says there is something new for the mages. "

" Really now?" Natsu looked over the crowd. He couldn't really see, but as long as he can hear what was going on it didn't matter to him.

" Alright, quiet down!" Natsu could tell that was the principles voice. He only spoke with him on the first day, but he'd never forget a voice. " I hope you wizards are listening. Starting today the job requests are up! And for those who aren't familiar with it, what you will be doing is picking out one paper from this board here," Makarov waved a hand behind him showing everyone the large brown board with a bunch of papers stapled to it, " Each one is a different mission ranking from the easiest to the hardest. Now only the most qualified wizard may take the S rank ones. And those people will be announced soon this week. Each mission has a reward. And depending on how well you do, and the amount you do. I may bump you up a class in the next exam!"

" Wait. What is he talking about? What exam?" Natsu and Lucy asked each other. Levy walked up beside them.

" The exam he's talking about is for wizards only. Makarov chooses the best students and gives them a test. They say it's completely different each year. But you all have to fight the current S class mages on the first round. But don't worry about that! We get to go on missions! "

" I guess it sort of sounds like fun," Natsu muttered. He noticed Lucy jump up and down. She was a little too excited about this.

" So then its like showing how strong you are right? And you get rewards to right?" Levy nodded.

" Depending on the mission, the reward can get higher. The pay you right when you finish."

" So then what about classes?"

" Wizards like us don't need to have the entire day studying," With that said Natsu perked up. " All we really need is to know about magic and such. And the missions are counted as lessons, since it does determine if you get to be a higher class wizard, though I'm not really aiming for that. All I want is to hang out and read some good books." With that Levy walked off saying good-bye to both of them. The crowd around the principle left, and Natsu and Lucy walked out into the hall.

" So then. If we don't really need to take classes. What's the point of being here?" Natsu didn't mean for Lucy to hear, let alone answer, but she did hear an she did answer.

" There may be no point, but wouldn't you rather come and hang out with your friends than to be stuck by yourself all lonely. I know I would. Besides, its fun. Especially when you don't know what's going to happen, or who else would become your friend."

" So I woke up this morning...and I don't even need to go to classes? I can just go over to the request board and pick something, and leave?" Lucy shrugged.

" I guess so."

" So then I don't need to see Mr. Tanaki's face ever again! Yes!" Natsu shouted in delight. He was starting to hate that class. Lucy just laughed. They walked down the hall silently, before Natsu decided to turn around and head back to the Cafeteria to grab a mission request. Lucy followed.

" Pink.."

" Huh?" Natsu stopped and turned around to face her.

" You're hair's pink. Is it your natural hair color?" She asked. Natsu sighed and continued walking while she followed him.

" Its salmon, not pink. And yeah, it's my natural hair color."

" I see. It's a nice color though. I just have a regular normal color. I wish I had a cool color. I guess I can always dye it but... Having a different non- normal hair color seems special."

Natsu wasn't sure if she was complimenting him with the ' special' part, or insulting him by saying it wasn't normal. He just shrugged it off and smiled.

" I can't really imagine you with with green, purple or any other colored hair."

" Yeah? Well I can't really imagine you with normal hair color." Lucy said smiling. Natsu walked into the Cafeteria. There were others in there. And people he knew too. Erza and Gray were there. A black spiky haired guy with metal piercings stood next to them.

" Gah- Gah... Gaheel?"

" Its GAJEEL! " Gajeel yelled. Natsu laughed.

" Whatever. I'm just glad we don't have to take classes."

" We don't, though, It would be best if you did." Natsu glared," Anyway, since you decided to come back, does that mean you'll be joining the principles competition?" Gray asked

" I thought it was a test..."

" Same thing really, " Gajeel smirked, " He's choosing the best, which mean's we're competing for it."

" He's only choosing one in the end, which means only one of use will make it to the top." Gray said.

" I see, so this is a challenge then?" Erza asked stepping up to them.

" In that case I'm definitely going to enter!" Lucy exclaimed smiling, " Just you wait, I'm going to be the one that makes it!"

" Well then, First things first. We need to get use to this so, I'm going to take a partner with me," Erza said, " I suggest you all do the same. In fact, maybe you all need more than one partner if you don't want to destroy something and not get chosen."

" I'll go with Lucy then!" Natsu exclaimed grabbing Lucy's arm and dragged her to the board grabbing one random sheet. " It doesn't matter what we go on as long as we can do it right? So then, Since I'm the strongest, we'll be able to complete any one of these,"

"Really now? The strongest? I could've sworn you were afraid of Erza. You thought she was going to make you her partner weren't you!"

" Being afraid of her, and being strong is completely different!"

Lucy laughed, " If you say so." She grabbed the sheet of paper Natsu grabbed from the board and headed towards the exit, Natsu followed her down the hall. " Well I'm glad you picked something close by."

Natsu peeked over and took a look at the paper. He knew where that was. He was hoping he didn't need to be near that place again. Even though he did help Natsu get stronger, the guy was a maniac. Building some stupid machine. Using him as a battery or something. Natsu wasn't sure what that man was doing, but the place reeked of dead bodies and magic. The place overflowed with magic. In times of need, Natsu would often eat the magic. Though It made him sick, it kept his strength up.

They walked past that place, Natsu slowed his pace falling behind Lucy as he took a good look at the old building. It was the same as ever. Well, on the outside at least. He wasn't sure if the man was still there. Why was he able to leave all of sudden after so many years? Natsu couldn't help but feel as though the man wanted Natsu to leave. Was leaving such a good idea?

Natsu could still sense the dark magic leaking out from the place.

" Natsu?" Lucy walked back to her friend and followed his gaze to the old building. She shivered feeling the magic surrounding the place, " What are you doing? This place is creepy, the dark sky isn't helping." She muttered. The grey clouds in the sky did make the place more eerie. But that wasn't what bothered Natsu. It wasn't there a minute ago, but he could feel his presence close by, as if he was watching them. Natsu tugged Lucy's hand.

" Lets go. I don't like this place." He whispered. Lucy nodded and followed.

But they had to come this way again. When they finished their small job of delivering an item to someone, they took the same path back. Forgetting about the place entirely until the came again. And again Natsu paused as he took a look at the place. Lucy did the same.

He still lingered there. Natsu could feel it. And he was closer. Natsu glanced at Lucy seeing her transfixed on the house before her. Her eyes squinting as she saw a figure in the distance. He followed that gaze. A moment of studying the figure he gasped and grabbed Lucy's arm pulling her away from the place.

' He outside! Why is he outside? He never came out before, never! ' Natsu thought running away with Lucy as far as they could possibly get. When they stopped Lucy was trying to catch her breath as Natsu looked behind them, making sure for himself that the man wasn't following.

" What... was that for?" Lucy gasped.

Natsu shook his head , " It's not-" Natsu's eyes widened. Why hadn't he felt it? The man was right there and he didn't notice! Natsu pulled Lucy towards him and glared at the man. Hoping the collar around his neck wouldn't shock him. He heard Lucy gasp. Did she know him too? He looked at her. Her face pale and her eyes wide.

" Why hello there, Natsu, Its been a while. How I wish you were there to see how my project has progressed so far." The man glared, " Now don't be like that my boy, I kept my promise, but you didn't keep yours." Natsu growled. The man reached out for him, but Natsu kicked, and shot out flames. Natsu backed up pulling Lucy with him. He needed to keep a distance.

" No need for violence, boy. I only came to remind you. Your work is not yet finished." Natsu felt the man's gaze turn over to Lucy. He smiled and vanished. It was strange

" N-Natsu," Natsu glanced at Lucy, noticing she was on the verge of crying.

" What's wrong Lucy?"

" He said you promised him something..." Natsu nodded slowly not sure if she was asking him to confirm that. " What did you promise him?" Natsu hesitated, tugging his scarf, feeling the heat of the collar, it wasn't electrifying, but the remains of the magic lingered on it, giving off a tingling sensation, " WHAT DID YOU PROMISE HIM!" Startled Natsu backed away.

" I- J-just that, I'd help him with his project!"

" What project?"

" I don't know! I just gave off some magic. I guess, I was like a test subject?" Natsu wasn't exactly sure what he promised the man, only that he aware he was in the progress of doing it, for the past 2 years until he managed to leave. Lucy started crying and hugged Natsu. Surprise followed shock. Lucy was crying.

" Lucy? Lucy what's wrong?"

" That man... That man killed my mother!"


Well, this took a long time to update. I'm sorry about that. My sister, who has been working on this with me, she started using our old Macintosh computer, though it won't allow her to go on Gmail, Yahoo, or any email sites, she can't go on facebook either, Gmail is where we usually work on this, through google docs. She can't download google chrom, so I'm starting to think thats only for windows right? Well, until we can figure out a way to work on this together with separate computers ( Plus I think she's just being lazy ) , I'll be working on this alone, though she will give some ideas. So this might update slow still.

Anyway review and tell me what you think, I really hope this story turns out to be a good one :)

Review please~

- SilverIce0