[A/N: I do not own Fairy Tail or it's characters, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. I do however use the ideas and potential OC's in this story. Nor do I own any Game titles, Consoles, or songs that will be mentioned from here on out. They belong to their respective companies. So, this is my disclaimer to all things not mine!]
[A/N2: This is a story that I had brewing around the same time that Red String of Fate was originally published back in 2012 on . And now is exclusive in its rewrite here on Archive of our own or Ao3]
[A/N3: This is completely Alternate Universe. Set in the early to mid 90's type of era for the past. And early two thousands for the present day. When girls were still regulated to the shadows to enjoy guilty pleasures that were considered a boy's realm of fun. Also that this will time jump back and forwards, IE FLASH BACKS!]
Lucy sat there, legs pumping back and forth as she went higher and higher on the swing. Her eyes focused on the sky above her. Mind all over the place. Clearly her subconscious was avoiding what she really needed to think on. A part of her, after two years, still hurt and was empty. But she stood her ground. In fact, she had made the call to pretty much cut herself out of her group of friends. Which had been horrible. Not just for her, but everyone else, except for one person. Who gloated and lorded it over her every chance they got.
Not that she cared. She still made contact with everyone but one person. If fact in the last year she had been called obstinate, stubborn, pigheaded, obtuse and so many other wonderful adjectives because she refused to cave and apologize for making friends with people other than her little group. Said group had come to terms with this, well all but one person, who was currently dating her antagonist. The instigator of the whole debacle so she could benefit. Not that Karma had not been rained down heavy on her head, leaving Lucy feeling pity for Lisanna.
Nope, right now, she was just fine being alone. She wasn't talking to anyone at this point. Cutting herself off, throwing herself completely into her studies. Knowing it hurt her best friends Levy and Cana. As that was the only way she spent time with them anymore. But, Lucy thught it was for the better, even if everyone complained and whined at her that it sucked not having her around. Hell she knew the only reason that Gray was dating Lisanna was because Natsu had over heard her cajole Gray, saying it would upset her more. Of course, this had happened right after they had had another arugment.
Snorting as she locked her legs out straight, Lucy leaned back, closing her eyes and just felt her body swing like a pendulum. The light breeze wisking by her as she moved against and with it. Her hair up in a messy bun so it didn't trail in the bleached beauty bark and dirt. Letting the free fall sensation take over her body, drawing out a rare laugh. She herself had noted that she laughted less and less since Gray and her quit being friends. And then her stopping hanging with group as a whole. A price to be paid. She'd been closest to Natsu. Then it was Gray and Lyon. Who, due to her, were not on the best of terms, also because their parents got divorced over the summer. Making that tension even badder than it had been."Hey Lu."
Body jerking as she snapped her eyes open. The swing twisted making her slightly fall from it. But her hands grasped the chains as she got it under control before falling from the damn thing and potentially breaking a bone. Just to have her eyes land on one of the two people she had been thinking about. Who looked sheepish at startling her."Hi, Lyon," she said, dropping her feet to stop herself. When he just stood there staring at her in silence, she felt a bit uncomfortable. He had his serious look on his face. As well as a bit down trodden with slightly puffy eyes. Meaning he had been crying. It was something he denied to everyone. But she knew he did. Sighing as she motioned for him to sit on the swing next to her. Waiting and watching as he debated it before making his way to plop down next to her. He was silent for a few more minutes, before he finally let his shoulders slump, looking completely dejected.
This had her taking in a quick breath. Feeling her eyes burn with tears. This hurt her deeply, not because of him moving. She had expected it. The divorce had been messy. But because he was leaving with the group torn, divided, into tatters. Causing guilt to wash through her."Lyon, I…" she started only to have his hand over her mouth.
"No, Lucy. This is not your fucking fault. Dammit. I know what Gray's issue is. And he needs to get the fuck over it. And I am not okay with Lisanna dating him, or instigating this whole thing. In fact, she is getting to be damn near unbearable. But for Elfman's sake, as well as my thick skulled brothers, I say not a damn thing," he snapped. Her eyes widened as she felt the tears spill from her eyes, dwon her face to collect where his hand rested. It still hurt her. A small part of her heart swelled with happiness, but the fact that Gray was still refusing to even see them as people, normal people, had that happiness snuffed out. Which she knew showed as Lyon shook his head, dark eyes closing as he removed his hand from her mouth and pulled her into a hug. This had her flinching. Knowing that Lisanna would be hurt by that and start crying. Which meant Gray would back her up and a fight must have started.
"Hey, I know that look. And yes a fight did start. But Laxus ended it, Lu. He punched Gray in the face and laid him out flat," Lyon muttered darkly. It was clear that he didn't appreciate Laxus physically hitting his brother. But if Laxus got into the mix it was serious. She looked at him from the corner of her eye and saw the wry smile on his lips. No one messed with Laxus in the group. He was the unspoken leader. And he could wallop all of them with ease. He had buffed up over the years and was a walking tank that could be meaner than a lightning strike when he wanted to be. Lucy pressed her lips to smother a giggle. Knowing full well that Lyon had a small crush on Sorano. Even as her shoulders shook, she saw Lyon frowning at her. Knowing why she was shaking as she smothered her giggle fit. But he waited for it to pass before he let her go, allowing her swing to move away then come back again, before he caughter her in another hug.
When he looked at her for a few seconds before he started to chuckle. It made her happy to hear it. See his dark eyes spark even a little. This was a turning point in her life. And she wanted things to go back to the way they had been, but knew that if things returned to what they had been. There was no like it used to be. But it did need to be fixed."Stick to those guns Lucy Heartfilia. You are not the person that needs to apologize," Lyon said, his head turning from her to look out across the park play area. "It is my idiot brother." She followed his gaze and saw Gray standing there looking at them. His messy black hair hiding his eyes as his hands were shoved into his jeans. The frown on his face told her all she needed to know. Body stiffening she tried to pull away from Lyon. Her natural instinct to not cause more conflict making her want to pull away so that they didn't fight more, because of her. But Lyon held her tighter. It made her go still and shake in his arms. Noting that Gray had shifted in surprise at Lyon yelling at her as well. Dropping her eyes and turning her head away from both of them. Unsure. Lyon was not one to yell. So she was startled and scared. Of course, she never liked yelling to begin with. Her father had a few trophies in her mind for it.
"You have done nothing wrong but be yourself. Doing what you do. Bringing light and happiness to others. Giving hope where most don't find it," Lyon said, his voice still raised so it would carry. "And while I admit I didn't like it at first, and still a bit unhappy with it, you are your own person. Capable of making your own choices. As humans we crave interaction with others. But to tell someone that they are not allowed to do that is controlling them. Making them nothing more than an animal. Something that is owned." Her body shook harder at his words. She knew his words would hurt her, because that was how her father saw her mostly. An object that he owned. More or less a pet that he had to keep in line. And sayign it aloud so anyone could hear, not that anyone but him, her, and Gray were in the park. She knew she was nailing his brother hard. Since most of the time the two of them were the ones who had to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart and emotions after her father tore her down. She felt him place his cheek on the top of her head as she finally broke. She had cried, of course, through the last year and so. But she had not cried to let it all out and go. And as that first sob was ripped from her throat, which felt exceptionally tight, she knew Lyon was doing this for a reason, a good one. Turing her face into his shoulder Lucy wrapped her arms around him and just let it all out. Not caring if anyone came by, saw and heard her. She hated hurting, hated the guilt. Missed one of her best friends. Now she was finally getting a safe outlet.
(Present)
The hustle and bussel going on in the large room would appear chaotic to anyone who just peeked in. But to those in the room giving orders, carrying out said orders, as well as just being there would know that everything was moving like a well oiled machine. Everything was going smooth with the last minute check for the electricity, Audio and visual. That nothing was tampered with during the night by random chance. Not that those on guard would do something. And it was made easier for the Fairy Tail Games Incorporated knowing that only those selected and had passes and put into a biometric sytem could access this place.
It would be horrible if any problems were to crop up. And they had received an update upon arriving that had Lucy thrilled. A few scrupulious people had been seen loitering out. And with one of the competitors belonging to the rival company that was currently causing problems, they were having to make security even more tighter. But either way, while the gaming was commencing drawing everyone's attention, there would be a small little group playing cat and mouse with Ivan Dreyar and Raven Tail. Because insider information from not just Jason at the Magazin, but from Arcadios, said that it would be today with the tournament that they'd make their attack to ruin FTGI.
"Hey, Miss Heartfilia, where do you want me to put the extra folding chairs?"
Turning she looked up at the young man who had asked. Noting that it was Tobi. He had on part of his furry costume. Though his shirt clearly told her who he was here rooting for. It was really sweet to boot that he had a thing for Millianna. And the two were so cute and awkward around each other it just made her teeth hurt at times from the sweetness.
"You can stack them in the back left corner. That way they will be easily accessable should we need more Tobi," she said pointing as she glanced down at her clipboard. "And Tobi."
When he paused and looked at her, she smiled, "Thank you!"
The way his eyes lit up and how bright his smile was as he blushed before turning around and practically man-skipping away. Just to hear a familiar bark of laughter from behind her. Causing her to turn and look at the perpertraitor. The smile on her face gone in an instant because next to said person was her father and of course her mother.
"Now now that is not anyway to great your grandfather now is it little star?"
With a quick shake of her head she looked up at the towering white haired man. Trying not to giggle at the site of his oversized mustache. As his dark blue-black eyes glimmered from under shaggy white eyebrows.
"Hiya grandpa!" She giggles like a little girl as she ran to him and threw her arms around his massive waist.
"Lucy, that is unbecoming of a young woman," her father snapped at her.
The moment she stiffened the warm, protective arm of Sei-roo Zodiac wrapped around her.
"No, Jude. It is the way a young woman should act when seeing a family member or a loved one. And if you do not quit trying to shove your daughter into a mold that is not made for her, I will be forced to do something I have not wanted to do," Sei-roo said, his deep bass voice rumbling like thunder.
"But… She is apart of your family, old and traditional," Her father spoke up, face turning a ghastly shade of white.
"Yes, yes she is, but when have you ever seen us not act like normal people? When do we throw our titles and wealth? Tell me Jude Talbet, when have we ever shown we are better than anyone else?" Her grandpa asked.
She turned to look at her father who just stood there getting in red in the face. He looked a mix of pissed off and ashamed at how he was being called out. And it hadn't helped that her grandfather just threw his previous name out there. Lucy knew that before her mother married him and he had to take her last name after meeting the family. It was a standard that any men that married into the family; hence they took the last name Heartfilia. Since women were the predominant born to the lineage.
"No," Her father stated blandly.
"Good. Then I hope to never have to take the Heartfilia name from you, remove you from this family. As well as any rights you have to my daughter and granddaughter, Jude. As well as any and all wealth and fame you have garnered being married to my youngest daughter."
Those words had Lucy swallowing thickly. Her grandfather had been against the marriage in the beginning. Then was fine with it. Over the course of her life with her mother threatening to leave and divorce him had quelled her father. She knew it was because her grandfather always knew what was going on. She had learned that the older couple Aquarius and Scorpio from her childhood had been distant cousins. Who had watched over them and reported.
"Please, Grandpa, he is just trying to do what is best for us. Even if he does it the wrong way and does more harm in his need to be independant and support us. Because you know mama don't wanna have the family take care of. Though I will admit that he does not always think about me or anyone when he is trying. Which hurts more because he forgets that we are people with thoughts and feelings," she said, pleading somewhat on her fathers behalf. "Besides, though I am not on good terms with him, my dad, I still love him. And wouldn't partially be the person I am today. Strong, independant and able to stand on my own two feet with teh knowledge and ability to be proud of who I am. And not take the any shit from anyone else."
There was silence at her words as she watched her father's mouth drop open, only for her mother to use a slender finger to push it shut.
"You my darling little starlet are wiser than your years. And I am very proud of you. There is no doubt that you are your mother's daughter," Sei-roo said. "But, I hold your father to what I said. He needs to learn that prestige is not all there is in life. That the ones we have close and love are the real treasures."
Feeling a bit weepy, Lucy buried her face into the broad chest of her grandfather, not caring if she ruined his expensive dress shirt as a few tears leak out.
It was an hour later and she was busy with the final details. When she had three shadows cross over her clipboard. Causing her to look up and smile. There was Laxus, Natsu, and Gray.
"Ask," she stated in a monotone voice.
"Man you take the fun outta us ganging up on you," Natsu whined.
"Anyways, you know if people are arriving? Yet?" Gray asked.
She just lifted her eyebrow and gave a very pointed look. Knowing who they were asking about. And while she knew everyone who had arrive to the hall already she was not at liberty to speak about it.
"Sis, you know who we are talking about. Has CelestialGoddess arrived and checked in," Laxus said, crossing his arms over his chest trying to appear more intimidating.
Rolling her eyes she snorted loudly and rudely to show that she was not impressed or intimidated.
"Why are you boys bothering Lucy? Don't you all have things that you need to finalize before this show gets on the road? It starts in a little over three hours," Makarov said, causing all of them to look down at him. "And that means you too Lucy. You are my main person to make sure all this get's going well… And no, you won't know who is here until the damn names are called you brats. Get back to work!"
The moment the words were outta his mouth, Lucy watched as the boys scrambled away. Soft cursing under their breaths as they made haste. She could tell that he was not in a good mood.
"I take it that dark and obnoxious has arrived with his little peons that are competing," she whispered to him.
When he nodded his head yes, Lucy watched him just tilt his head in a direction. She looked supersticiously to see Mavis with her arm entwined with her husband Zeref. Who was with her father and grandfather. She had no doubt he was schmoozing them. And, if her fears founded, potentially telling them she was a participant in the competition. Which would make thing that much more worse for what little was just patched up earlier. It was frustrating.
The deep booming laugh of her grandfather as she watched him slap Zeref on the back lightly, making him stumble forward. Irritation flashing on his face as his red eyes met hers. She didn't have to ever wonder if he told them. The look of disgust on her fathers face, while her mother laughed good naturedly with Mavis and her grandfather. She always confided in her mother about her things. That meant her grandfather knew.
"I think Lucy it is time for you to get ready to do your thing," Makarov said.
She looked at him and gave him a small nod. Just a group of familiar voice heard. Making her look to see her other friends. They saw her and gave her a small head lift as they were ushered back to the green rooms. To mentally prepare themselves for the upcoming competition in just under an thirty minutes. Sighing because she knew he was right, Lucy smiled and made her way to the ladies restroom that was situated right next to the greenroom that she was to wait in until she was announced.
Feeling her heartbeat fast in her chest. As her palms became suddenly sweaty. She glanced around as she handed her clipboard to Makarov. She saw the other contestants being led back to the green rooms. Where they'd be waiting as well. Of course, she noted that they were looking around to see if they could spot anyone else. Possibly the elusive persona that had been leading the boards for years. Nodding her head, Lucy turned and made her way towards the bathroom. She had to get ready in her own clothes. Because she refused to be out there that is nothing more than her pants suit. That would make it that much more awkward.
TBC