Chapter 25

{The second day continues, I am sOoOooooOOoOooo glad that you guys like this story. You might alright have a hint what Natsu's greatest nightmare is… ya it's going to be sad. But I hope you like it anyways, Enjoy!} :D

The Masked Spirit POV

I raised my hand to the mouth of my mask. I can't believe my eyes, if that's who I think it is then that man is Curtis Grant. Natsu's greatest nightmare… was the day I died…

Curtis smirked at Natsu and said in a low voice, "What a pity, you come here to save this little girl. To only be stopped by me! Well let me tell you, once I'm done with her she will disappear from this world. Never to be seen again."

Natsu growled again and watched as Curtis ignored him, "I plan on sacrificing her blood to the demons of hell. These green vines will eat at her blood, turning red in the process. Once the vines are done eating at her blood, that's when she will vanish." Natsu glared at Curtis but the demon just shrugged it away.

The ground under Natsu glowed, and after a few seconds I realized Curtis paralyzed Natsu in place. Curtis turned around and faced the stair case, and at the top of it was… me. One by one Curtis walked up each step, when he finally arrived at the top Happy blocked him, Curtis glared at the blue cat and groaned. Happy's shaky body was picked up by Curtis's pale hand and threw him against the far wall, like he was nothing. Happy fell to the floor with a thud and a moan. Tears were falling down his tiny blue face as he tried to get up but failed to lift his own weight.

Curtis turned to me and smirked as he lifted his hand, his index finger glowed as he swung. I gasped as I watched my stomach burst open; Draco wrapped her arms around me as she bawled in my stomach. Tears poured down from my eyes as I watched the pain on my face, the painful scream filling the arena. I turned to the other guilds to see them watching with tears running down their faces.

Sherry covered her mouth as she cried uncontrollably, Erza stared at the screen with tears falling from her face, all of Fairy Tail watched this moment for the first time with tears pouring down from their eyes. Coco, Mary Hughes, and Dan held each other as they watched with tears in their eyes. Hibiki, Eve, and Ren stared wide eyed at the screen tears falling from their faces. Even Sabertooth cried as they watched.

Curtis chuckled when I stopped screaming, he watched in amusement as my tears fell from my limb body, the blood running down my frame to the vines. My whole lower half was covered in my own blood; dropping in piles on the floor.

The screen turned to Natsu who had tears pouring down his moist cheeks. He stared wide eyed at my motionless body; Happy's sob's filled the air as he watched my wounded form. Curtis turned around when he heard Natsu's huge roar, then without warning. Natsu screamed at Curtis, "HOW DARE YOU."

The screen burst with Natsu's red flames, blocking anyone to see what happened next. After a while the flames faded and the lacrimas turned back to Natsu but in front of him was a lifeless Curtis. Natsu turned back to the stair case and ran towards my body; my figure lay still on the floor. He hiccupped as he made it to me, tears streaming down his face like a river. He whispered, "Sorry…" as he bent down next to me, he grabbed me and pulled me to his lap.

"Natsu ...the spell…we were too.. late" I whispered painfully. My hands started to gradually fade away.

"No Lucy, don't say that!" Natsu franticly yelled, but my feet and legs began to slowly disappear.

"I'm.. sorry... Natsu" I said softly "No Lucy... you can't go" Natsu said, putting his forehead on mine. I blinked a few times, my body slowly fading in the air. I took a deep breath as I said my last words to Natsu…

"Your one.. of... a kind.. Natsu…" That's when, bit by bit I vanished. I stared wide eyed at the screen; slowly my knees gave in as I fell to the ground. Cole and Lilian grabbed me as tears poured from their eyes. I hiccupped and turned back to the screen to see Natsu gabbing at the air where I once was.

He gasped when he realized I was gone. Shaking uncontrollably, tears began to slide nonstop down his red cheeks as he screamed

"Please don't leave me"

He gasped as he woke up from his horrifying nightmare, tears gliding down his face as he stared wide eyed at the ground. The buzzer rang indicating he made it just in time. The Dragon Slayer slowly turned to Bob to see him with wide eyes and tears running down his cheeks. The metal around Natsu wrists opened and he shakily stands up. He took a deep breath before he slowly walked back to an entrance, the whole arena watching with saddened and concerned eyes. Everyone was speechless, even the commenters weren't talking.

Chapati stared with wide eyes at Natsu as he cried silently; Yajima stared at Makarov with tears sliding down his wrinkled face. Makarov had his head down as tears pooled from his eyes, the look of remorse filled his features.

Natsu turns his head to me; tears drizzled down my face as I saw his expression. Loss, Loneliness, and worse of all, Guilt. His hands clench into tight fists as his lip quivered, he turned back to Fairy Tail and he slowly walked to the entrance disappearing into the hall way.

I turned to the stair case that led to the hall way and ran down each step once again, Winged Hearts right behind me. I pulled back my hood and ripped my mask off as I ran to the entrance where Natsu came in. When I finally saw him I found him just standing in the middle of the hall staring at the wall. Tears fell from his cheeks as he turned to me, his lip trembled again once he saw my face.

"I'm sorry…" He whispered. I slowly walked up to him as I smiled sadly. My tears began to fall freely as I asked him, "Why are you sorry?" His fists clenched tighter as he stared at me, "I just am…" I placed my hand on his moist cheek and wiped his tears with my thumb. He slowly held his hand up to mine that was on his face, he closed his eyes as more tears flowed down to my hand. "I'm the one who should be apologizing…"

His eyes rush open; he stared at me with sadness and confusion. I smiled and took a step closer to him, "I never meant to hurt you so badly, I'm sorry." He took a deep breath, trying to hold his tears back. Yet he failed and his tears fell once again. He wrapped his arms around my neck and buried his noise in my hair and neck as he whispered, "You'll come back to Fairy Tail once these games are over, right?" I softly smiled while I tied my arms behind his back. I nodded my head 'yes', "Of course I will!"

"Lucy!" I heard a tiny voice call me. I peek over Natsu's shoulder to see Happy flying towards us, Fairy Tail running behind him. They all wrapped their arms around me once they reached us, trapping me in a huge hug. I grinned as I cried harder, oh how I have missed these people.

We all stayed that way for a few more seconds until Makarov surprised everyone by saying, "The games are going to start soon. You all better get back to your places…" We all nodded and turned back to our original stations, I waved good- bye to Fairy Tail as I walked back with Winged Hearts. I put my mask and hood back on as I walked back up the stairs.

I stopped at the railing and waited for Bob to announce what to do next. If I remember correctly, all the guilds competitors will participate in this next game. Master Bob looked up to see Makarov was back; he smiled sadly and turned to the audience, "All right dearies. Will each team come down here for the next competition?" I looked to my side to see Cole and Lilian smirking and jumping over the railing. I watched as Malinda and Blacksmith hopped to the middle of the arena, forcing Draco to glare at their idiotic actions. I laughed and jumped over the railing as well, making Draco gasp. She groaned and finally decided to jump over the dumb railing, too. We walked to the center and waited for the other groups. Once they arrived Bob continued to explain,

"Okay sweeties, for this next competition all team members will compete. We call this game 'Treasure Hunt'. And just as the name says, it is a treasure hunt. Each group will be given a list of 6 things to find. All teams will get different items to search for. So don't worry about other teams finding the same piece sooner than you." Bob handed a piece of paper to one guild member, I looked down at the paper Bob gave me and read what we need to find: a navy blue golf club, a garden gnome, a pink and white umbrella, a sign with 'storage' on it, a pair of waffle shoes, and a pumpkin hat… talk about random…

"But if you run into someone while searching for these items, then you must fight them. No grouping up this time, only with your guild. All the things on your list are hidden in the city here in Hargeon. You get extra points if you take your opponent down, and the guild who finds these items first will win ten points. In second place will get 7, and in third place the guild will get 3 points. The rest of the guilds will receive 1 point each." Bob clapped his hands together as he grinned, "Good luck sweeties, and don't forget to have fun."

"Oh and you will be teleported into a pacific spot in Hargeon. Once you are teleported there you may start your scavenger hunt, and when you have found your items please bring them back here to me." Masters Bobs voice faded away as we moved suddenly somewhere in Hargeon. I turn to Winged Hearts and see them staring at me, "So what should we do?" Draco asked me. "First we should know what we need to search for…" Blacksmith said. I took out the list out from under my cloak and read out loud, "We need to find a garden gnome, a sign with the words 'storage' on it, a pumpkin hat, a pink and white umbrella, a navy blue golf club, and waffle shoes…"

Cole burst out laughing as I read the last item, "Waffle shoe? What the hell is that?" Cole tried to ask between chuckles. I frowned and glared at him, "How should I know, Cole? I was just given this list a few seconds ago…" Draco stuck her tongue out at Cole and said, "Ya Cole? How should she know?" He glared at the dragon spirit and stuck his tongue out, "I don't know, why don't you ask her yourself?" She crossed her arms and was about to spat back at him but I stopped her by glaring at the two.

They shut their mouths and straightened their backs, "I do have an idea. Would you like me to share?" They nodded their heads as I smiled. I turned around to look for the nearest map booth; I needed a map of the city first before I start my plan. I look over my shoulder to Winged Hearts and asked, "Do you know where the nearest map stand is?" Malinda smiled and walked in front of me, "I have one right here!" I grinned as she took out a map of the city.

I grabbed one of my black keys and said, "Open gate of Mercury, Hermes" A bright yellow glow appeared next to me, I smiled as I saw the form of Hermes next to me. "Good morning, Spirit. How may I help you today?" He asked as he bowed, I handed the map and list to him. He grabbed the two pieces of paper and examined them. "We are doing a treasure hunt right now. I need you to tell me where each items is, you can circle the place where they are on the map to make this easier, if you would like…"

He looked up at me and frowned, "But I don't have a pen, Spirit…" I pouted as I turned around to look for a writing utensil. My head popped up as I remembered I could just summon one. I lifted my hand in front of me and in a flash a quill was in my palm. I handed the feathered pen to him and he gladly accepted it.

"I didn't know you could summon quills too." Cole said with astonishment. I turned around to him and smiled, "I need something to write with when I write letters to the Spirit King." Malinda's eyes widened as she asked, "You write letters to the Spirit King?" Draco nodded her head and crossed her arms, "Ever since Spirit joined the Training Games she's had to write to the Celestial Spirit King ever night." Lilian stared at me confused and asked, "Why would you write with the Spirit King?"

"To tell him how my training is going." They nodded in understanding. "Spirit, I'm done." Hermes said behind me. I turned around to see the map filled with 6 circles, each with the items names beside it. I smiled and said, "Thank you so much Hermes. You were a huge help." He smiled and handed me the two slips of paper, "Do you need anything else?" I shook my head 'no', "Nope, nothing I can think of." He bowed and faded away in a bright light.

"That was easier than I thought…" Blacksmith said under his breathe. I spun on my heels and faced Winged Hearts; I held the map out so everyone could see. "Since there are 6 items to look for, I thought it would be easier by splitting up and finding them on our own…" They smiled and nodded their heads. "That sounds like a great idea." Malinda said joyfully. I smiled and look back at the map, "I will assign each of you to an item. With just one map you will have to memorize the place Hermes says it's at."

They nodded as they stared at the circled destinations, "When you guys find your things we can meet up at the entrance to the arena. Okay, I'll start with Draco. You can look for this garden gnome; it says here that this gnome is on top of this build a few blocks from here. Search the roof of this building and you will find some gnome there." Draco nodded and headed for the building.

"Malinda you can go find this pink and white umbrella, it seems like it's by the beach. Maybe even on it. Look there and you will find it." Malinda nodded her head and ran for the beach. "Cole you can go search for these… waffle shoes. It says here that it's really not in a shoe store but a bakery. This bakery is all the way on the other side of town, can you make it there in time to meet with us again?" He smiled and said, "Of course I can make it." He turned around and ran for the bakery.

"Lilian you can look for this pumpkin hat. It says here that it's right next to the arena. My guess it's a hat left over by the Grand Magic Games. Do you know what the hats looked like?" She nodded her head and said, "Ya I know what they look like." I smiled and said, "Good, I will meet you by the entrance then." She smiled and turned around facing to where the arena was.

"Blacksmith you can look for this storage sign. It says here that this sign is in a boxing room. The boxing house is right next to the train station." He looked up at me and asked, "So it's inside the building?" I nodded my head. He smiled and said, "Okay, well I'll see you soon then." I waved to him as he left behind me. I turned back to the map to see where the navy blue golf club was. I seems like it's by the board walk. By a booth or a stand maybe.

I turned to the board walk and started my walk. I checked my surroundings every once in a while, seeing if there were any mages around. I turned a corner to only be surprise by seeing all of Blue Pegasus walking towards me. They spotted me right away, their eyes widened as they realized we had to fight. I frowned as there were only one of me and five of them, and I didn't really want to fight Blue Pegasus. They were too close of a friend to Fairy tail, including me.

They all narrowed their eyes as they bowed in a fighting position, yet I just stood here staring calmly at the group. I didn't know what to do really, I didn't want to hurt nor fight them. I just had to run into them, didn't I?

Ichiya was the first one to walk in front of the group, "I've got this one, boys." He said as he pointed to me with two fingers, his body surrounded in sparkles as he said, "I know I can take you down. I have the parfum of a man." His body then slowly grew bigger, making his muscles grow stronger. He slowly walked closer to me, once he towered in front of me he attempted to smack me with his arm.

I lifted my arm to my side blocking his attack effortlessly. His eyes turned to frustration as he watched me not even affected by his blow, I haven't moved from my spot yet. He stepped back giving me the perfect opportunity to kick him in the side. The hit made him crash through buildings, sending further away from me. I watched as Blue Pegasus eyes turn into utter puzzlement.

Jenny glared at me and transformed into her Satin Soul form. She ran to me thinking she could knock me out, but to only be disappointed when I hit her in the stomach with my elbow. Eve, Ren, and Hibiki stared with wide eyes; they frowned at me as Hibiki ran to me, Eve and Ren not far behind him. They all tried to land a punch on me, but I raised my arms in front of myself. Holding back their attack with ease.

I elbowed Ren in the face, kneed Hibiki in the gut, and punched Eve in the cheek sending them all in different directions. I waited to make sure they were all done and not planning to get back up, that was when I started my walk again.

The town seemed so empty; maybe they were all at the arena. I sighed as I enjoyed for once a moment of peace and quiet, but of course that wasn't long lived. Because of course I run into Byro and Midnight. They looked from each other to stare at me. It now seemed like a three way fight, which would probably waste my time. I wanted to just find this golf club and get this over with. I was so close to the board walk, I could even see it. But Midnight and Byro blocked me from doing so.

These two mages use a sort of reflecting magic, no wonder they seem uninjured. They can't even land a hit on each other. We all stand silently, staring at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.

"How strong are you?" Byro asked me. I turn to him and reply, "Strong…" He frowned, "That isn't a reasonable answer." I shrug my shoulders and smirk, "I guess you will just have to find out for yourself…" Midnight grinned and raised his hands to me, a green and red fire burst from the palms of his hands. I lift a hand in front of me and blocked his attack. His eyes widen as he watched me hold his spell back with my hand. When the flames faded in the wind I ran to Midnight surprising him. My hand began to glow as I raised it in front of myself, star light exploded from my fingertips. He smiled thinking he could just reflect it away from himself, but when the gust of light failed to shoot somewhere else he was sent back to the ground.

I lift my leg up as I turn to Byro, kicking him in his side. He raised his staff just in time to hold my attack back. I pull my hand up to my side and summoned Guardians Staff; I turned so I could hit him square in his hip. He clenched his teeth as he was sent a few feet from me. I ran towards him and swung my staff, hitting him in his leg. He fell to the ground, but twisted his body to try and hit my legs. I jumped over his forelegs and kicked him in his cheek, sending further away from me. I scrapped the ground with the bottom of my staff as I ran to him, making huge cracks appear behind me.

I bent down to dodged his fist and lightly tapped his chest with the top of my staff, all the gems began to swirl as colored dust flowed out of them to his torso. This attack made him fly through the air; I dismissed Guardians Staff and quickly summoned and new weapon. I call it Commanding Bow and Arrow, after training with Sagittarius I have mastered the skill of the bow and arrow. I pulled back the string, pulling the arrow with it. After aiming it to the perfect area I released the arrow, watching as it flew to Byro.

Once the two met, massive amounts of light flowed out of him. It filled the skies with a bright white glow. Once the light faded away Byro fell from the clouds, scrapes and bruises jam-packed his body. But he was able to land on the ground with his feet successfully. He glared up at me and asked, "How come I couldn't nullify that spell?" I smiled and simply replied, "Because you can't…" He frowned and narrowed his eyes, "That isn't fare…"

I dismissed Commanding Bow, and stared at Byro "Do you not want me to use my magic then?" He glared at me and frowned. I just shrugged, thinking that was a 'yes', and glanced to my side to see Midnight standing up; he scowled at me and dusted his clothes off. I turned my attention back to Byro and smirked, he can only deflect magic, right?

I kicked up a stone with my toes making it fly in the air next to me; once it was in the perfect spot I punched it straight to Byro's forehead. His eyes widened to see me attack with just a simple pebble, but the tiny stone did more damage than he thought. It sent him back through houses forcing him to crash into items. I wasn't using my magic, which was what he wanted… I turned to Midnight and did the same thing to him, making him soar through buildings.

I slid my arms back under my cloak and walked to the board walk again, I groaned as I turned around to hit Byro in the gut. Did he really think he could surprise attack me? I summoned Heavenly Hammer and swung. Hitting Byro into Midnight, who was running to me. I slammed my hammer to the ground, forcing the earth to rock back and forth. Midnight and Byro were knocked to the ground again and I flung Heavenly Hammer to the two, making them fly further away from me.

I frowned as I watched them stagger to their feet; they just won't stay down will they. I am losing time here, I should have been done by now. I knelt down on one knee and placed my fingertips to the ground. The breeze began to slowly pick up, and the ground began to move again. The wind blew even faster, forcing everyone's cloths to move wildly. A white light slowly began to surround my body, the light only grew brighter and brighter. Until it got to the point where you had to shield your eyes.

I got back to my feet as the light faded away; Byro and Midnight just stood there with their heads down. They rocked back and forth on their feet, losing their balance. I turned around and started to walk back to the board walk, I finally heard the thud when they fell to the ground. They were down at last.

I smiled as I heard the ocean's waves splashing against the sand; it was simply quiet, the way I like it. My eyes widen when I finally came across the dumb golf club. I walked up to the light poll and grabbed the club that was leaning against it. I smiled as I twisted the navy blue club in my hands. I looked up and my smiled faded from my face. My eyes widen when I saw the figure of someone standing a few feet from me. I recognized the blonde hair, the scare by his brow, and those blue eyes. He smirked at me showing his pointed fangs, and I glared at him with disgust.

It was Sting Eucliffe…

{Hoped you liked this chapter, tell me how you are enjoying this story so far. The next chapter you will see what will happen with 'The Masked Spirit' and Sting. There will be some surprises in the future, sorry but I can't tell! You will just have to wait and see what I have planning for you guys …} :P