Loki you Big Jerk

Part Ten

Just before the sun rises, Loki sat up from the couch that he had slept on throughout the cold night stiffly. In last hours of darkness, in the midst of the chase, they found an abandon house alongside the road. It was faultily damaged from what it seemed like an ambush a few months ago which is why the previous owner left it. The walls were filled with holes and the roof was partly lost. Even so, they were glad that they have somewhere to stay. Besides, it was better than nothing. Loki walked towards the bed to wake up his companion who is still deep in slumber. The man groaned in annoyance as he continued on shaking his little friend. "Come on, Bragi. Wake up, kiddo. We have to scram before the ugly smelling monsters catches on."

He received no response even after he shook his small body a couple of times. Loki got frustrated and just as he was about to shove Bragi off the bed, heavy footsteps interrupted him. Voices growled and weapons clanked outside the house. He cursed. "Dammit, Bragi! They found us. Let's get our butt outa here!" He frantically yelled in a whisper. But still, the boy didn't move. Loki grunted and tossed Bragi to his shoulders and ran upstairs. His shoes thumped loudly on the creaky wooden floor and the creatures' attention was successfully drawn. Loki entered a small room and ran to a broken window beside a half-burned drawer. He looked behind him and saw the creatures, already standing by the doorframe, glaring with their sharp teeth evident. They glistened brightly at what little light the daybreak can produce. There were four of them, all carrying heavy armors and rusty blades. Impulsively, his free hand stretched to his side to grab a piece of a shattered mirror. He used the raw light of the sun and pointed it at them. With the enough brightness reflecting to it, Loki tilted his hand and the blinding light bounced to the creatures' eyes. Satisfied by their agonized growls, he jumped through the window and landed on the ground with a perfect ten. He dashed to the forest in hopes for cover with his load dribbling on his shoulder.

"Ha! Light has always been in my side." He huffed proudly. However, being safe is still out of his reach. A loud crash and livid snarls instantly caught his earshot. He quickly turned around only to be hit by a speeding dagger that pierced through his side. An excruciating cry was caught in his throat as the pain surged his nerves. Blood soaked his clothes as he reached to pull out the switchblade which fell on his numb grip. His hands began to shake and his sight blurring out. The mixed scent of fresh blood and damp soil made him nauseous. Looking up, the creatures came stumbling towards him with pissed off features.

Summoning all the energy left in his body, he took a giant leaped forward and scrambled on his feet to get away from them. He was having a hard time to breathe as he felt the gash opening in each move he makes. "Bragi, I would very much…appreciate for…you to wake up at any moment, pal. I am bleeding to DEATH here!" He panted as he continued on sprinting past the trees. The foliage was thickening and the sun floated above him. He took a nervous gulp before glancing over his shoulder but sees no one following him anymore. He halted. His eyes swept to his surroundings in search for the creatures. Nothing came out. Not a sound was produced. No rotting smell entered his nose. "Odd." He thought. A deep sigh of relief escaped his lips when he realized that he must have successfully lost them. At that moment, a hefty tree didn't fail to catch his vision. Subsequently, he approached it with a warily look. Its giant weedy trunk was twisted like a pretzel which root's coiled inwards and created a mini-cavern structure. Being exposed in the middle of the rainforest with gruesome creatures behind their tails was not a great move so he crawled inside and lied down, feeling the comfort of the tree. He was profoundly winded as he threw Bragi to the puddle near his position, making sure he doesn't get wet. The one-eyed young midget jumped in surprise as the water came intact with his skin. Loki let out a tired chuckle. 'A little amusement wouldn't hurt.'

"HEY! WHAT GIVES?! WHY DID YOU—" He shouted angrily but the exhausted man quickly covered his mouth, his body tensed.

"Kid, you don't have the right to yell at me after I save your snoozing butt. And would you please settle down?" He whispered anxiously while glancing outside before dropping his hand.

Bragi cocked his head in confusion. Loki crossly sighed and gestured to his surroundings. "W-Where are we, Mister? Did we just sleep-walk until here?! COOL."

"Dude! This is so not cool. Definitely uncool. I can't believe that you are asleep after the chasing and running and—" But his voiced crackled when he felt his wound stung his flesh. He tore his other sleeve, which made him sleeveless now, and tied it to his waist while biting his inner cheek in pain. He was supposed to use his necktie but it was his favorite. Too precious to be soaked in blood.

Bragi gasped as he observed his half-conscious, hawt*, bleeding friend. "Where did that came from?" (A.N. Ooops…didn't meant to write the hawt* thingy. Tee hee. Sleeveless Loki is definitely hawt. Agree?)

Loki sighed and shifted his position, thankful that the cave has enough space for them. "While you, my highness, is still in your dreamland…those desperate creatures found us and tried to kill me. Luckily, I escaped. WE escaped. But barely fleeing alive." He forced a calm tone to cover the venom in his words as he closed his eyes, pressing his hand to put more pressure on his stabbed side. "Good thing I mislaid them."

"Well, you can't blame me. I am dead tired yesterday. And I'm…sorry." He bowed his head while sniffing.

Loki sighed deeper and sat up, hissing shortly when the pain returned. "Don't be a baby. It's alright, Bragi. I am sorry for snapping at you. The important thing is that we are alive and safe…for now." He raised a hand and patted the midget's head comfortly.

Bragi looked up at him with a faint smile. "While you are resting, do you want me to enlighten you more about the guild's interests?"

Loki gave him a 'duh' look. "Do I have to answer that?"

Bragi grinned and chuckled as he hopped on a thick root bended inside. "According to Uncle Boggs, they are very dangerous and mystifying. Nobody had seen the guild master's face before. Even once. They said she has a disgusting face but very powerful. She is totally rotten to the core."

"Ya don't say." He replied sarcastically. He thought that maybe she also looked like her minions, ugly and stinky.

"No. Seriously! She was like extremely inexplicable and mad like The Hatter. She even ordered her creatures to capture two people in your land as a sacrifice." He said while pointing a finger at his friend.

"SAY WHAT?! S-Sacrifice? Me and Lucy?" He stuttered. "This is bad. Really bad." His voice was deep and full of anxiety.

"Lucy? Is she your girlfriend?" Bragi asked but Loki didn't reply. His face was darkened and he seemed deep in deliberation, although at the same time a bit fluttered by the thought of her being his girlfriend. "Don't worry. The dark guild has an archenemy and I am certain that they have her already. They always oppose the guild's plans. So she is safe."

Loki's eyes gleamed for a moment but rapidly turned serious. "Archenemy you say? Are they good or bad? Are they targeting me and Lucy too?"

Bragi sighed and stared at him in amusement of his protectiveness for the girl. "Like I said, she is safe. If the guild wants her dead, the other group wants her alive. They are not evil, though they dress weird. And they are basically hunters. Thus, superbly skilled."

He breathed in relief.

"Oh! But they want to finish you off." The midget cheerfully added with a smile.

Loki froze and gave Bragi a funny look. "You serious? And what is that SMILE for?!"

He nodded and stood up from his comfortable root-like chair. "Remember the picture I showed you yesterday? Well, both sides of the group think that you are the reincarnated god, Loki himself."

"What?! No way. I am a Spirit for as long as I remember."

"Y-You're a ghost!" Bragi dramatically gasped and gawked in terror at Loki.

He rolled his eyes. "No, kid. Why does everyone think a Spirit is a darn ghost?! They are not the same for crying out loud! And I am from a different world. But let's skip that…W-Why do they like me dead? Will they execute Lucy too?!" He looked at Bragi who is currently poking him, making sure he is not a real ghost. He slapped his small hands away.

"No, the girl is like a sacred piece for them. They only want your head, though. Literally." He grinned again.

"O.o" Loki was supposed to scold Bragi when a shuffling of bush stopped him. He quickly knelt in front of the kid protectively with an arm wrapped on his shoulders while pressing a hand at his bleeding side. The bush a few yards away from their little hide-out continued on shuffling wildly as if a pig sat on a sharp pin. All of a sudden, Bragi wriggled out of Loki's protective arm and ran outside in the open. The man rolled outside to cover the midget behind him once more, wincing when a pound of pain shot him from his gesture. "What the heck are you thinking?! That may be a wild hungry animal, or the ones hunting us, or worse!" He whispered frantically while glancing at Bragi. He turned his head back before him and glared at the bush that unexpectedly stopped moving.

"See? It must have been a rabbit. I will go catch it for breakfast." Bragi said cheerfully as he jumped to the plant. All of a sudden, a hefty contour emerged from the bush. It was a person. The sun was against its back so the shadows covered its face. Loki slowly stood up to his feet as he squinted his eyes to have a better look of the figure. A glint of metal immediately caught his attention and causing his gut to churn. It was a sword.

'I have had it enough with blades.'

The newcomer's shadow doesn't have any horns and no unpleasant smell surfaced from it. Loki swallowed a sigh of relief as he realized that the person isn't one of the monsters hunting them. But threat radiated from it. "Stay back, Bragi." He calmly said as he posed his fighting stance, just in case. Bragi ran behind him and clutched his shirt. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" He asked warily, staring at the newcomer.

The person took a step away from the bush courteously. Now that it had stepped aside, Loki got a clearer look at him. "I beg your pardon? But I am the one who ought to inquire you, Midgardian. I have the possession of this woodland unreservedly. Now, state your name and your intentions and please desist from speaking of falsehood." His voice boomed deeply and it gave Loki an intense feeling at the back of his head. He talks with full authority like he was from an affluent family—which is a little bit obvious because he had just said that he owns the whole forest. He wore a pair of leather and metal boots on his feet that glimmered by the sun. He's dressed in grey sleeveless shirt, which showed off his big bulky muscles, topped with an armor attached to his torso. There were six silver plates with foreign scriptures embedded on his shoulders, chest and abdomen. His hands were clenched into fists, his wrists bounded with silver braces. Behind him was a red cape fastened that ended until his ankles. And his eyes…there was something in his bright grayish-blue eyes that made Loki extremely rapt and gave him the shivers. They looked awfully familiar and full of mysteries yet he hasn't seen him before. And as he glanced above him, his heart twinges as if he had some long lost relationship that shouldn't be forgotten. Those shoulder-length blonde golden strands of hair were something very proverbial to him. Something in this man unquestionably confers him an outlandish feeling.

The man, as the equivalent height of Loki, stared straight in his emerald eyes as if he is reading his whole being. For a millisecond, a flash of recognition passed through his orbs. He took a step backwards and he began to shake vaguely. Confusion was clear on his face. Without warning, he grabbed Loki's shoulder and engulfed him into a tight hug, laughing. "Brother! You are alive and well! We, the entire the people in Asgard, thought that you are dead! Our father thought you are dead! I cannot believe that you are here before of me and unharmed." Loki was tremendously caught off guard that he can't even think for his next move. His mind isn't progressing properly since the man had an incredibly power hug.

Sensing his companion's misfortune, Bragi attempted to help Loki. "Hey! He is wounded badly so stop it! Does he look like toothpaste?!"

The man heard his trembling small voice and released the breathless Loki who almost collapsed to the ground. Bragi patted his back, assisting him to sit beside a tree to lean to. "Please accept my apologies, brother. I did not know you are injured. Tell me who did this to you so that I may annihilate your perpetrator!" The man angrily boomed, making the two winced in discomfort by the thunderous voice he had.

The Zodiac Leader coughed to regain his breath before questioning the big man towering him. "Brother? Why are you calling me brother? Who are you anyway?"

The man gasped in astonish at what he heard. Pain quickly transformed his earlier jovial face. "You do not know? Did the one who wounded you corrupt your memory too?! HOW UNFORGIVING OF THAT CREATURE!" A huge metal hammer appeared in his hand with blue sparks. He raised his mallet and started spinning it beside him, producing a powerful hum. "Come, brother. Show me the way of the doer's domicile so that we may retrieve your precious memory. I must return you to Asgard, our home, as soon as feasible for Father and Mother to end their bereavement which your death hath made." He walked towards Loki to grab his hand but Bragi positioned himself between them with an aggressive glare. "Step out of the way, miniature one-eyed puppy."

The midget growled at him. "Don't make me chew your hair, Goldilocks."

Loki gently pushed his companion aside with an arm. "His name is Bragi and stop calling me brother. Let's clear things out first, shall we? Be a man and earn my trust before dragging me somewhere." He asked calmly, staring up to the man who felt ashamed for his actions. He hesitated for a moment but still nodded in agreement. "Drop your weapon as well, if you mind." The hammer vanished into tiny blue sparks and the man slumped down the ground before him, cross legged. Pissed off Bragi eyed him suspiciously before sitting just outside their tree-cave. "Who are you?"

The man sighed and his eyebrows creased. "I am your older brother, Thor. We are the sons of the All Father, Odin." He said slowly. "I cannot deem you do not know me. We grew together, we played together, and we fought together."

Loki opened his mouth to speak but Bragi butted in. "Thor? As in The Thor?!" He rubbed his chin and lowered his shoulders, thinking deeply.

"You know something, kiddo?"

"Hmmmn…Yeah. I know them from the Norse Mythology! Thor is the god of thunder. He is the eldest son of Odin and the heir of the throne of Asgard, the kingdom where the gods live. The hammer he was holding earlier is Mjölnir. And based from what I remember, he does have a younger brother named Loki." He exclaimed.

Loki groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Great. More people who wanted me. Why can't they understand that I am just a look-a-like?!"

Thor shook his head and placed a heavy comforting hand on Loki's shoulder. "I could never gaffe my own brother to some other Midgardian. I know you for as long as I can remember. YOU. ARE. LOKI ODINSON."

"Yes. I am Loki. But for your awareness' sake, I am commonly known as 'Loki the Lion' and not 'Loki Odinson-whatever' in my own home, in the Celestial World. I just look like him but I am positively not him. Tell that to your other Norse Myth dudes and leave me be. End of discussion, uhmmn…Thor. I still have a damsel to rescue." He stood up, leaning to a tree and gestured Bragi to follow.

Thor shot up and whipped Loki to face him. His expression was dead serious. "Listen to me, brother. Our enemies are powerful and they have the capability to manipulate a god's mind. They must have controlled you!"

Loki closed his eyes in pain as his injured side hit a bulky part of the tree. "Let go of me, Thor. I am in no condition to fight you and I am genuinely determined to save somebody. So don't be a THORN in my throat." He said through gritted teeth, swatting Thor's hand away.

"No. You listen to me, brothe—"

"I. Am. Not. Your. Freaking. Brother." Loki glared at him before continuing his walk, Bragi following with a mocking peace sign formed by his little fingers. 'Oh Regulus. Do I deserve to be punished with this?! Can't you please give me a different punishment instead of being wanted by crazy over-determined legendary people? Like…transforming me into a lion cub being chased by hungry wolves or something?' He begged in his thoughts.

"I will propose a deal with you, Loki." Thor suddenly boomed. "If that is the only means for you to pay attention to me."

The two halted and turned, eying him cautiously. "And what might it be?" Bragi asked, glad being his friend's ever-so-loyal wingman.

"I will aid you in searching for your damsel."

Loki raised an eyebrow, folding his arms across his chest. "And what is it for you?"

"I will return you to Asgard with your memories and facilitate our Father to continue the plan." Thor replied with his head up high.

"Plan? What plan?"

"You will discern when thy memories return." Thor answered poetically.

Loki lowered his gaze to think about their deal. 'If I accept his offer, I may find Lucy quicker. However, Thor will bring me to Asgard. I have no idea of what or where it is but I need to meet up with my master before the dark guild catches her first. I am not even sure if this guy will return me to the Celestial World. I don't know what will happen if ever I learn something from the memory. Heck…I am not even sure if I am a spirit or a god now! The strange homey sentiment I felt when I first saw him haunts my mind. It was like part of me believes at him in every respect. I am totally messed up.' His face darkened as he raised his head. 'But for Lucy, everything is worth it.' He thought.

"What do you say, brother?" Thor offered a hand with a small smile forming his lips.

"I accept." Loki said sternly, shaking his brother's extended hand. 'I might use him for a while so I need to join with the flow for now. For Lucy's sake.'

-Lucy's POV-

I gazed at the time. It was already past lunch and nobody woke me up! I grunted in annoyance. I can't believe neither Freya nor Sigurd even bothered to wake me.

*sigh*

Anyway, I can't stay here and remark mean things for life. I am a grown up woman and I need to watch over myself. I hopped off the bed and neatly fold my thick heavy sheets. I faced the mirror and gawked at the sight. Oh the eyebags and the hair! The horror… I almost looked like my dearest friend, Toothless. How I missed that guy; note the sarcasm. His face still creeps me out until now. I took a short hot bath and wore my new grey-furred wolf dress. It was so pretty and adorable with its long fuzzy tail. I kinda felt sorry for her death but thinking about survival in this island, I guess it's just nature. I tied my hair in a high bun and added a touch of a little ribbon. Feeling satisfied with my attire, I grabbed a satchel that Freya gave to me and transferred all the things into there from my pouch. As I took hold of the earpiece communication thingamabob, I grew furious at Virgo. I utterly remembered everything last night like a bad dream with Toothless. Again.

***AEIOU***

A voice suddenly burst from the little contraption I have in hand. "Come in, Leo. Come in. Brother, are you there? I've been trying to contact you for three human days!"

Familiarity strokes me like an egg. It was so familiar that my heart skipped a beat in happiness. I finally have the chance to return home. I can go home! I can freakin' go home! I sorta like it here but the weirdness was way too much. Anyway…I can go home! Even though there's a dark guild wanting me, I know that somebody can help me get the heck away from this island. And that somebody is the guild! Have I already said this? I can go home! Muahahaha.

"Leo? Are you there? Are you getting ready to punish me?" The radio-ish voice asked.

"Shut up, Virgo, it is Lucy." It was a bit cruel for me to reply but I can't handle the happiness that is filling me. Finally…I can return.

"Oh! Thank the stars. Princess, I and my fellow Spirits are so worried of you. When I tried to enter the human world for the last few days, I was seriously blocked. It seems that your magic was unstable for me to open my own gate. What has happened, Princess? Please do not tell me you punish yourself without me?!"

I sighed in frustration. "Virgo, don't bring the punishment topic again. I was kidnapped by a dark guild but was thankfully saved by a bunch of legendary go— I mean, by kind people. I am currently in good hands now but the bad news is… I can't use any form of magic in the island I am in. My keys are not with me. And the dark guild is still hunting me! Which means, getting home is not an easy go."

"That is truly bad. How can we help you, Princess? Surely there is a way?"

"I believe so too. But I still have no idea what is it. Can you help me make a way to inform my guild? Or maybe you can track my keys?" I crossed my fingers. "Oh, plus will you tell Loki 'thanks for being in my company for a few hours' and 'I hate him for not saving me from my kidnappers'."

"I am afraid I cannot do as you said, Princess. Besides that I cannot connect to your world, Leo has not been in his quarters since the last time he came to your apartment. We thought that he is with you at this moment, is he not?"

I frowned as my heart began to ache in depression. I am currently living in a nightmare! "No! He is not with me. I thought he was forced to return in the Celestial Plane?!"

I can almost imagine Virgo shook her head as she sighed in the radio. "Princess, I am guessing that he is in that island you are stepping on. We cannot feel his presence and it seems that he is blocked too. A Spirit is not allowed to roam far away from his key holder in her own world for a very long distance I assume. Because if he does, his gate will automatically close due to lack of the presence of the owner's magic. This means, if Leo is not here, he must be near your place. He would be able to return here after you congregate together."

"Oh. My. Gosh. He is kidnapped with me!" I shouted in the radio.

*Beep*Beep*Beep*Beeeeeeep*

"Virgo? What is that beeping sound?" I asked frenetically.

"Princess, I am afraid that the radio-com is battery low." She replied with her usual unconcerned voice.

"Well? Go charge it then."

"I cannot, Princess. My deepest apologies."

"Say what? Why?" I was running out of patience and getting sleepier at the moment.

"Leo has the charger." She paused, giving me the time to twitch. "Farewell, Princess. Do not worry, I try to contact the guild. For now, it seems that your fate is now in your hands…and Leo's too. I give you my best wishes for success."

*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*Tootoot*

"V-Virgo?...Virgo?! VIRGO! Holy mother of pancakes! Did she just hang up on me?! VIRGO I NEED YOUR HELP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO IN THIS FREAKIN' ISLAND WITH WEIRD INHABITANTS WITHOUT ANY USE OF MAGIC!" I panted after my burst-out of mixed feelings. I closed my eyes and waited for a reply. Just a small reply. A tiny reply of comfort…but nothing came. I am all alone for this now, I think.

Glaring at the device, I threw it back in my pouch with a short scream of anger and frustration. Eventually, I gave up and lied down on the carpeted floor, feeling hopeless, scared even. So it is up to me and Loki…if ever I find him here. I bit my lip and jumped to the bed while plopping my head to the pillow to yell at it. "I hate you for this, Virgo! When I see you I'll gonna go mini Lucy-Hulk and give you the punishment you needed. Hmph…"

***AEIOU***

Shaking my head by the memory, I sat down on the bed again. I rested my head on my hands and stare at the mirror. I look completely bleak and abandoned. I missed my comrades. I missed the guild. I missed my team. I missed doing dangerous missions. And gosh, how I missed Natsu and his annoying annoyingness. His toothy grin and his smiling eyes. Not to mention his fire. I sure would be happy to hang out with him in this cold season. And yet…my loneliness got the better of me. I feel powerless without magic and friends. Sure, Freya and Sigurd are cool people but they still give me a weird atmosphere whenever they are around. I cannot joke with them like how I joke in the guild.

*sigh*

I shook my head again to dwindle the desertion feeling I have and ogle at the mirror once more. My eyes were already close to tears when I caught a glimpse of a thick object underneath the bed. I bent down to the floor and stuck my head forward. It was the BOOK. The ancient book that Lady Cassava lent me. I took it in my hands and patted the dusts away. I choke in some but quickly recovered. I am so not in the mood for filth as breakfast. And as I was about to flip a page, my tummy interrupted me. 'What now?' It continued on rumbling and rumbling and growling and growling. I am sick of it for always making me its slave. But…Oh well. Reading is better when you have a full stomach. Thus, and yet again, I became another follower of this guy—I mean gut. Standing up, I shove the book into my satchel and skipped my way to the door.

The pure-white snow on the ground was thicker than yesterday. I leaped outside and drown my boots in the ice-blankets. Cool. I haven't seen so much snow as this; not even at home. It was deep and ended above my knees! Cooler. Although, it was kinda hard to walk around while buried in it. I dragged my feet while my tummy orders me around. Before I fainted yesterday, I was given a time to wander around the quarters. The area was big and neat; half the size of Magnolia City. There was a small village connected to it and they were all nice and sweet people. Even the villagers, they all wore animal skins as clothes. I hope the wolves here aren't endangered species yet. Anyway, I almost tripped on a rock under the snow. My tummy growled at me for being slow so I jogged my way to the canteen. I searched for Sigurd and the twins but they were nowhere to be found. I went to the counter and the bartender, an old lady but as sweet as MiraJane, greeted me warmly.

"Hello, young one. Did not see you for breakfast." Her old rusty voice croaked as she gave me a small smile.

"Yeah. Nobody woke me up. Maybe they are challenging me for a snowball fight though. Indirectly." I smiled back while choosing something to gobble from the menu. She chuckled and handed me a hot cappuccino with cute colorful marshmallows floating gleefully. I hesitated at first but in the end, I got mesmerized by its aroma and gulped it leisurely. "Wow! I can't believe you people are great with these. I can live with this for the rest of my life! Did you teach Sigurd of the recipes?" I asked, wide-eyed by the heavenly tang of the drink.

She chuckled again and leaned to the counter, holding a hand to whisper. "No, young lady. Sigurd himself taught me when I was still a teenager." The old lady winked and turned to her heels. "I shall prepare the today's Special for you, dear." Watching her retreating back, I returned to what she had just said. She is an oldie so how come Sigurd was able to teach her? And in her teenage years? By my estimation, he would be a baby by that time. That was…until I suddenly remembered that…Sigurd is an ancient dude. He is a god so basically, he is immortal. I am pretty sure he does a lot of great things and has a lot of mastered talents. Like making a hot cocoa. Maybe he makes tasty hotdogs too. I just shrugged by the idea but deep inside; I think it was totally awesome.

I ate my 'brunch' (breakfast+lunch combined); which is a very mouth-watering hot spicy soup, mush potatoes with gravy and sweet corn, a fresh green apple and her best-selling for today, her special grilled cheese sandwich with lots of stuffings that I-have-no-idea-what-those-are-as-long-as-they're-d elicious; while having a quiet chitchat with the bartender. And please don't comment if I ate a lot! Remember that I haven't eaten well since yesterday. I have only known her for more than 24 hours and I like her already. She didn't even charge me for the drink! She just made me remember of the guild again. It gave me a bittersweet feeling. But I can't stay gloomy like this while I am in the island. I need to start making an arrangement to get away here, escape the dark guild, search for my lost keys including a particular lion spirit and go back to Fairy Tail. Back to my team. After bidding my thanks and goodbye to Granny Idun, the sweet old bartender lady, I strode my way to the centre of the quarters to investigate and form an escape plan. IDUN…her name was odd too. It sounds like Norwegian-ish and unique. But is suits her silvery white hair and her small unusual deep purple eyes. This place's resident names are totally weird and cool at the same time. Not bad actually.

The snow was thinner by the plaza and I didn't like it. How can I make a snow angel?! Looking around, I noticed a great white wall of stone around the area. It must be a barricade for the enemies. I approached the barrage and placed hand to it, studying. The wall was taller than me for a few inches but it seemed really thick in width. I thought I could test its strength. And so I did. I fished a knife in my satchel, the one that Sigurd gave me as protection and sorts. Taking a step back, I crouched into my fighting pose and pointed at the wall.

"Let us see if I still got my killing instincts."Sucking a deep breath, I charged to the wall and strike it with my stiletto. And the moment the thin metal touched the wall, a spark came from it and my weapon flew out of my grip. I ducked my head swiftly and saw that it hit a wooden post a few yards away from my position. Swallowing my shock, I ran to it. "Geez. It is so deep. Glad nobody's here as my target." Just as I was supposed to remove my knife in the wood, I noticed that the metal part that hit the wall was smoking. I used my gloved hands and touched the handle. Woah. It too, was burning hot. I bended down and scooped a handful of snow and pour it to my knife. It sizzled and finally, it cooled down. After I returned my weapon in my satchel, I approached the wall once again. 'Undamaged, not even a scratch. Why would the people here build such a strong defense? Are their enemies that destructive? How did they build this by the way? NO person can construct a wall like this without magic. So how? Plus I remembered that magic was stopped after the dark guild came; therefore, the people cannot build this wall without magic itself. Did they build it before the guild came? Did they have other enemies besides the guild?' Tons of questions flooded and tortured my mind. The pain from the disease I lately caught was returning with a vengeance. It was darn painful. The unbearable pain was like splitting my skull in half! As easy as papaya! Ugh! Not able to think well enough, I fell on my knees and…well…buried my head on the snow. Like a scared peanut. Or an ostrich. Or a worm. Gaaah! Never mind.

Ultimately, the frosty feeling unbelievably subside the pain! Wow. I popped my head out of the hole and stood up, a bit wobbly. Some ice went into my ears so I pat my head sideways. Ugh...what a revolting sight. It was like my ear looks intimately to a small fire extinguisher because of the bursting white out of it. W-E-I-R-D = my timely word of the day.

Shaking my head for the last time, I decided to take a walk outside the quarters. I am pretty sure those gods won't mind. 'I hope'. Anyhow, because the snow in that part was thinner, I was able to run rather properly. But before I open the huge metal gates, I swept my eyes around the area for the last time. It was oddly quiet. Too quiet if you ask me. And empty. Now that I thought about it, the canteen was almost empty as well. I wonder if they are having these confidential meetings behind my back. Maybe…it was because of their top secret god huddles. Awesome.

Not trying to make it hard for myself to think anymore, I finally scurried outside. The snow was a lot thicker, thank goodness, so I slowed down a little. The further I stroll away from the wall, the more snow-covered trees there are. They were twisted in unusual odd shapes that put my creep-rate into the next level. But gratefully, it was noisier here. The constant singing of birds and twittering of insects actually gives me comfort, knowing that there is somebody or something to accompany me. The trees continued to multiply and the snow prolonged to thicken. I walked and walked nonstop, enjoying my sight-seeing trip. The sun was probably setting already. I am actually not sure since the trees are really so tall and huge and I can't see the skies much. After hiking like…for three hours, I noticed that I was breathing unevenly by now so I decided to take a break with my little adventure in the woods. Luckily, I saw a large dead log lying on the snowy ground and took a seat on it. I become conscious that it was tiring to walk in the forest. Tiring to be alone. That is enough…the birds and insects aren't helping me much anymore. I want somebody to talk to! A 'somebody' who will respond to me honestly and judgment free. A person. Or maybe a talking animal can do too. Like Happy.

I became a lot more frustrated so I just buried my face in my hands. I wanted to exhale all the air in my lungs out but I noticed that it cannot do any help. I haven't felt this miserable in all my life. It felt like I am a survivor in a zombie apocalypse without anybody to fight for and a reason to continue striving. Finally, after storing enough energy for my body, I tried to make a snow angel. Yay! Might as do to lift up my mood. I lifted my feet to the log and prepared myself to dive on the snow. But as I was about to launch, I heard a soft laugh behind me. I stiffened. I darted my eyes around to see if somebody saw what I will do and embarrass myself. But no one. I saw nobody. Then I saw a small movement a few yards away from me. I narrowed my eyes and inhaled some frozen air.

"Hey you! Show yourself or I'll gonna cut your heart with a spoon!"

A wet ball of messy fuzz rolled before me. I gasped in disgust. A hairball? I looked up and saw a combination of cat and rabbit staring at me. I stared back with pure intensity of anger. The rude animal lolled its tongue out and hopped away. "Stupid cat-bunny. When I cross paths with that I'll gonna—"

Another set of laughs made me stand on my feet. It sounds like it came not far away from my place. Impulsively, I lowered my knees and leaned my upper body forward, my usual hunting pose. I followed the blissful laugh and found myself hiding behind another big twisted tree. From my hiding spot, I saw a silhouette sitting on some kind of rock formation with its back facing me. Judging from the short hair and those broad shoulders, he is a boy. I crouched lower once he turns his head to his right and laughed again. I saw his cerulean eyes contrasted perfectly from his ponytailed pale blonde hair. He continued on laughing and clutching his stomach for support as he returned his head to his original position. I haven't seen him this joyful and so free wily before. He looks really happy and adorable, far from his typical quiet nature. But…laughing alone? Something is wrong and I think my gut tells me to do something about it. Sucking a deep breath, I emerged from my hiding spot and walked towards him.

As I neared him, I noticed that he was staring to an unfrozen pond with a fishing pole in his grip. There was an empty bucket beside him, half buried by the snow. His boots were lying under the rock. He was fishing in an unfrozen pond with his legs dangling in the cold water while laughing alone?! I honestly cannot explain what my impression is for him. Seriously, god or not, these people are totally crazies. I stopped on my tracks when I was already few inches from him, surprised that he hadn't sense my presence thus far. "Yo Frey! Not cold?" And with my simple yet bombshell approach, he stiffened and well…he fell into the pond. Panickly, he fidgeted his way out of the cold water and climb onto the rock, shivering so badly like a sopping wet kitten. I fought a giggle as I watch him struggle to shake the water off his drenched clothes. "Oh gosh…I-I am so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you. I-It's just…" I slowly trailed off, getting a towel from my satchel. I took a step forward but I was put to halt when he covered his face with an arm. He looks so scared and threatened…by me?

I withdraw my hand-occupied towel and stare at him. He looks delicate and weak. Even though he was taller than me, it looks like I'm more of a threat than him. He made me remember of Natsu Fireball, another delicate and shy man I knew. And also the memory of Loki when I first saw him. They are so adorable that time. "Hey. Don't be like that, Frey. I mean no harm, alright? I am sorry." I spoke to him softly for a little comfort. I approached him very at a snail's pace and carefully this time. He tensed all of a sudden so I paused for a second before nearing him again, like how you would do when approaching a wounded puppy. With my free hand, I tugged his sleeve down, really gently so that I may have a better view of his face. He was truly wet and shivering helplessly; the more I want to hug him. I actually don't know why, but I want to be close to him. Weird, I am. I raised the towel to his flawless cheek and wipe his face with a feather's touch. Woah…I didn't know I have this skill! At any rate, I continued on drying his face while thinking of a way to decrease his uneasiness on me. His eyes were edging to everything but me. It kinda feels…heartbreaking. I don't know what's happening in me at that time.

Out of the blue, he spoke quietly. "Forgive me, Miss Lucy." I was essentially caught off guard by this. I stopped wiping his face and pulled him to sit down on the rock with me. And frankly, I have no idea why I am doing these things to him. It was like my body was moving in its own accord without my mind's permission.

He looked at me in shock so I smiled at him in guarantee that I won't hurt him. Like I would ever do that to him…"Why are you apologizing? You haven't done anything wrong for me at all. In fact, I am the one who should make it up to you. I am terribly sorry for making you fall into the cold water. I only want somebody's company and then I saw you…laughing alone." I laughed curtly and my lips tightened into a wider smile.

At last, he centered his mesmeriszing azure eyes to mine. I saw a flash of gratification formed in them but immediately, it left. For three seconds of staring at each other, his cheeks flushed and he turned away. Still, I had this sentiment to make him like me…as a friend of course.

Dropping my hands to my lap, I averted my gaze to the ground. I found that he doesn't like being stared at. "Aren't you cold while hanging your feet in the water earlier? And why on earth are you fishing in winter? There are a lot of food supplies back in the quarters you know."

I saw his face burn red again. "U-Uhmmn…No reason. I-I just felt like spending time here alone and relax for a moment while the others are busy." He stuttered, taking his fishpole from the water.

"Yeah? Then what are you laughing for that time? What's funny?" I asked as I look around. Maybe he had this imagination buddy?

For a moment, his shoulders hardened again but slowly relaxed. Hmmmn…He is totally hiding something. But then, he shook his head for a no. "I-I am not laughing. I am a-afraid you heard wrong. There are lots of animals here that create strange noises."

I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion. I swear I saw him laughing earlier so why would he lie at me? I argued with my gut whether to tell him that I know he is lying or not. But then again, I am still in the middle of my investigation. A wrong move can ruin everything. So I finally decided to let him go. Just this once.

I relaxed my body and nudge his side, putting up my playful face. "Frey…I want to ask you something."

He stiffened. "W-What is it, Miss Lucy?" Glob. He stiffened a lot. What an edgy guy.

I turned to him and placed the towel on his shivering shoulder. "Please…Just Lucy." He nodded timidly and I continued. "Do I really make you uncomfortable? I mean…don't you like me? Am I really bothering you that very much?" My questions were too much but they just came out of my mouth. That was so embarrassing. But it seems that he was pleased when I change the topic nonetheless, at the same time he doesn't. He's confusing too.

He only sighed deeply and shook his head. I waited for a reply but nothing came. He just stared into the air with a worried expression.

I pouted, dropping my shoulders in defeat. "Le'me guess…you are still not prepared to tell me?"

He didn't even move but just stared down. (-_- ') What's up with him?

Wow. This scenario was so déjà vu-ish! You know…when I ask about him and his response? It was so familiar but I can't point my finger to it. It was like it happened to me before. Shaking the thought off, I sighed again, watching the small fog that formed from my breath. "Fine, never mind. I just wanted to ask, is all. At least I know that you are not such a bad guy after all. Thank goodness for that." I let out a small laugh and stood up. "I just hope that we can be good friends someday. Bye, Frey. Keep the towel anyways." And with that, I walked away. But with my second footstep, a cold hand against my wrist stopped me. I turned around just in time to see Frey standing up. Woah…this is totally weird now. In a heartbeat, awkwardness hung in the air and everything became dark. I felt suddenly warm. Then I didn't notice that my eyes were closed, that explains why the world was pitch black. Tee hee. When I flutter them open, my face immediately heated up…

And there were only three reasons for that:

1. I was hugging Frey. (-_-)

2. I was embracing this shy guy. (o_o)'

3. My arms were wrapped around Freya's twin brother. \(*=*)/ HOLY BROCCOLI!

And I am totally dead. My eyes dilated and goosebumps sabotage my skin. On my cheek, I can literally hear Frey breathing heavily and erratically. It sounds like he was starting to have a breakdown at any second. My nerves rebooted and I was barely able to move again. I gripped his shoulders and tore myself away, very gently, my hands still rested on them. I cannot read the expression in his eyes for they are blank.

'Oh no…Got to think of a plan…Lucy think!' I cannot just do that to a god?! He might curse me for a slimy squid-skin, or transform my hair into worms, or give me bad breath, or something that I can't live with; like boogars falling from my nose each day. Biting my tongue, I leaped into his arms again. But this time, I clapped my hands together behind him and screamed. "Hiyaaah! I killed a mosquito! Feel me buuuurrrnn…" Then I ripped myself off him and swiped my hands on my side like I had just truly squished a real insect, which is only a bluff. "Are you bitten, Frey? Tell me if you don't feel anemic?! Oh gosh…Don't die on me, pal!" I shouted, shaking his shoulders. I overreacted in purpose to make it more realistic. *wink*wink*

With my screaming, he woke up from his trance and stared at me. I distinguished that he was looking above my head, for me to believe that he was looking in my eyes. I have known that technique quite well whenever I am facing Erza's bad side; To not look straight in her evil orbs. Trust me…it works. "N-No. I am fine. Thank you for getting that bug before it gets me." He said softly. Urgh. I felt guilty of doing those things to him. He was too naive for an anti-innocent terrorist like me.

I just replied a nervous smile at him before sitting back on the rock. I took his fishpole and dropped the line into the water. "So…can I pray to you, O great god Frey, to bless me even for just a single catch?" I teased. The pond was so empty that I felt sorry for its loneliness for living-things.

He warily sat beside me, on the very edge of the rock, and smiled faintly. "As you wish, little mortal." Out of my expectancy, he flicked his hand and gazed on the water. He muttered some foreign words and closed his eyes. I raised a questioning eyebrow and opened my mouth to ask what that was for but a bubbly sound stopped me. He looked up to me, his cerulean orbs glowing beautifully, and nodded his head to the water. I blinked several times since it was really hard to not to stare in his eyes, before I followed to where he was staring at. Surprise knocked me and my jaw actually dropped. Woah…

"F-Fishes?! There's so many! How did that happen? A second ago, there were only sea weeds and other plants. I definitely haven't seen any sign of other life forms there." The fishpole was being pulled down by the huge number of fishes fighting for the lone worm in the hook. I winced in pain when I felt my palms burning. The wooden pole was splintering my poor skin. I sent Frey a permission look if I can let go of his property. Gladly, he placed a hand above mine and took the pole. With a swift movement, his free hand was already holding a net. He swooped the net down and caught several colorful fishes. He dropped the net in the bucket, flicking his hand again dismissively. I saw the lucky uncaught fishes swim away quickly. "Frey…You did that?" I asked with wide eyes.

He smiled coyly and nodded. "God of prosperity." Frey pointed a thumb to himself, his first ever self-righteous expression.

I grinned. "Awesome. You made this poor pond rich in gilly and scaly inhabitants even for just a moment. Totally awesome."

Blush crept on his cheeks, adding more fragility in his delicate features. He stood up and quietly gathered sticks from the bush near our spot. Properly placing them together, he lighted a match. "Shall we have a snack, Lucy?" Frey glanced up at me, still not fond of calling me Lucy.

I took the bucket and slumped down across him. "You don't have to ask." We giggled contentedly.

oooOOOooo

Our little feast and the small bonfire pleased me a lot. A LOT. Even though Frey often avoids making contact with my eyes, I still felt in reassured with him. He was extremely polite and nice, except the eye-contacting part which a proper way to talk to somebody. I like him. He was totally the opposite of his very wild and lively twin sister. I like her too. Maybe…just maybe…I can live here in peace. Maybe it would good for me to stay here for a while and relax. The people in the quarters and in the village are kind and friendly anyways. What if there is an apt reason to why I am here? What if I am destined to be here? I am kinda loving this island, except the dark guild hunting me. Should I stop looking for a way back to Magnolia? Should I forget about the guild for a moment and stay here?

'Wait…WHAT THE HECK AM I THINKING?! Of course I want to go home. What is happening to me?! It was like I am being poisoned or something.' I disagreed in my mind.

"Frey?" I started, swallowing a bite from my roasted fish. He looked up to me with his bright cerulean orbs, the fire's reflection dancing in them. "Besides that wall around the quarters, have you been out of this islan—"

"Oh. It seems that our little newbie is having a great bonding time with our 'god of timidity', Nanna." Giggled an unknown voice cut me mid-sentence.

"Yes. It seems she does." Another velvet-smooth voice said.

I looked to my shoulder and saw two slender silhouettes leaning against each other. A giant tree shaded their faces from my sight. "Shall we introduce ourselves, my dear friend?" The first voice asked with her sickly sweet tone.

"Yes. I think we should." The second person stepped forward. She wore a pale yellow cheetah skin dress with matching furry boots, much shorter than mine. Her long light brown hair was appropriately braided behind her. Her wrists were filled with golden bracelets and a pair of large golden hoops, as large as my fist, dangled from her ears. Her unusual ginger-colored eyes trailed up and down on me, interest filling them. "Greetings, dear neophyte. I assume you haven't met us before, have you? Let me introduce myself." She curtsied gracefully and smiled at me. "My name is Nanna. I lived across yours."

I stood up, wiping the snow off my dress, and bowed politely at her. "Nice meeting you, Nanna. My name is—"

"Lucy Heartphilla. Mhmm. We know." The first person said, the rude one who butted in ago. She emerged from the shadows and stood beside the well-mannered Nanna. She wore the hood up of her white-tiger skin dress. It was honestly very pretty, contrasting perfectly from the snow. Instead of furry boots, she wore a pair of lacy maroon-colored high heels. Even though she had thick orange leggings on, I think she broke the comforting dress code here. I'm surprised she's not shivering to death. And around her shoulders were bright pink wooly shoal.

I felt Frey stood up beside me, uneasiness radiating from him. I glanced at him for console before asking the tiger lady. "And you are?"

She raised a hand with decorated nails and removed her hood. A wave of familiar green strands of hair fell to her shoulders. Green hair? One of her recognizable cruel magenta orbs is covered with her bangs. Magenta eyes?! Her pink lips, formed into a thin line, were something she idolized a long time ago. She was overwhelmingly memorable for me, unfortunately. I can and will…never forget what she had done to my Spirits. My Spirits which she treated like tools. My Spirits who feared her whole-being. Until now, I can feel their wounded hearts made by her. I, together with my Spirits, shall never forget what she had done. Especially to Loki…

Looking at her makes me feel sick.

Looking at her makes me feel anger.

And looking more at her makes my head ache.

She shouldn't be here…

She can't be here…

Why?...It is because she should be dead.

"K-Karen Lillica?!"

NEXT CHAPTER:

Woah! Loki and his companion, Bragi, met Thor!

How could Thor help Loki in the search of his master? Will Loki regret accepting the offer in the end? What is this blooming relationship that Lucy and Frey have? What is making the Celestial Mage change her mind in returning home? And why on earth is Karen 'Freaking' Lillica alive and standing before Lucy?! What is this revelation that the author of this story had in mind?! STAY TUNE FOR THE UPCOMING CHAPTER…

A.N. Yosh! How is it? Did 'ya all like it?

I want to personally thank kaitokid1600, Frosted Cloud, Vampirefreak4eterity, Srya Evermist, Finny-Kun Goddess, perciousjewel101, and etc. for following and adding me in their story favorites. You kind-hearted people charged me with a determination to continue my story. I thank you all! I would very much be grateful if more of you lovable human-beings leave a simple review or feedback. Remember, an author cannot appreciate her work if nobody appreciates it at all. I badly need to know what you think of my stories. I shall accept your comments either bad or good, be it!

But you, adding me in their favorites and follows, really warms my heart…I am glad that there are still a lot of you there. I hope God, the Almighty God and not the Norse dudes, bless you all.

Oh…plus please forgive me if ever I do not update regularly. I hope that Lucy and Loki's character here is not too off. I kinda made them like that to add more jolliness of the story's soul. And about the NEXT CHAPTER thingy?...Never mind that…It sucks…I know…

THANK YOU AGAIN AND BYE!