Chapter 26

A Resort Paradise

Natsu

The guild hall was noticeably quieter than usual. Ever since we returned from the Heartfilia Konzern, Lucy hadn't been smiling at all, not that anyone can blame her. Things didn't end too well between her and her dad. I wanted to go back there and give the guy a piece of my mind, but Erza told me not to.

It only got worse when Lisanna came back from her mission. When I found out what that mission was and what Lisanna fought, I freaked out big time. Things didn't get better when Lisanna found out what happened on Galuna Island with me. Things didn't escalate too much there, but there was a little tension between us.

Mira on the other hand was royally pissed when she got back and started a fight with Erza the moment she walked through the door. After Erza effortlessly beat Mira, we didn't see her for the rest of the week. Lisanna told me she's pretty sure Mira went off on a mission with Laxus to blow off some steam.

Then there was the ice head, Gray. He was depressed like Lucy. I have no idea what happened on that mission, but Cana told me that it really hit home for him and to just give him space. As much as we fight together, I don't like seeing him like this.

The guild doors opened and in came a messenger from the magic council. My eyes narrowed at the messenger, last time someone from the council came in, it did nothing but upset the people I care about.

"I have a message for an Erza Scarlet, Natsu Dragneel, and Happy!" the messenger called out to the guild.

Erza, Happy and I approached the messenger, "What?" I asked none too kindly.

The messenger was taken aback by my tone and started to quiver, "We have a gift for your assistance on Galuna Island. You've been awarded tickets to Akane Resort."

The messenger looked like he was ready to pee himself when I gave him a huge hug.

"Really!" I shouted, "That's awesome!"

Erza carefully took the tickets off the man's hand while I gave him a bear hug.

"Um…yeah…" the man swiftly turned around and ran out the door.

Erza gave Happy and I our tickets. Once mine was in my hand, I ran up to the bar where Lucy was sulking. Sitting next to her was Loke, and tending the bar was Lisanna.

"Hey Lucy, I want you to have this!" I handed the blonde my ticket.

Lucy jumped at my sudden intrusion.

"What? Really? Are you sure?"

I gave her a big toothy grin, "Yeah, you deserve it!"

"Natsu, I can't just accept this."

"Sure, you can! Plus, it's not like I could go and not bring Lisanna."

"Aw," Lisanna leaned over the bar to give me a peck on the cheek.

"Are you sure?" Lucy asked once more, "I'm sure your sister would rather hang out with you than me."

"It's fine with me." Came Erza from behind, "It would be nice to have some girl time!"

I reluctantly took the ticket from Natsu, silently asking one more time if he was sure. He only gave me a big toothy grin in response.

"Have fun!"

Lucy

After a long journey to the coast of Fiore; Erza, Gray, and I had finally reached Akane Resort. Like me, Gray was given a ticket, this time by Happy. I peered over the fence separating us from the resort and marveled at the roller coasters and attractions running through the park. We slowly inched closer to the front gate where an employee was checking everyone. When we reached the gate, a shift change occurred, and a tall, bulky man with black hair and a chin literally made of iron, took his place.

"You must be Erza, Natsu, and Happy?" the man asked as he took our tickets.

Gray and I looked to Erza to respond, but she seemed to be in a stupor.

"Ye," I began to lie to the man, but Erza quickly cut in.

"No, Natsu and Happy were unable to join us, so I brought two other friends."

Gray and I were both kind of surprised with how quickly Erza replied. She was almost responded as though it was urgent that this random guy know who we were.

"Oh, well that shouldn't a problem, but we will need to know what kind of magic they employ. For the safety of the park."

"Gray wields Ice Make magic and Lucy uses Celestial Spirit Magic." Erza replied.

"Very well, then all we are waiting for are the Phantom Lord Mages, Gajeel and Totomaru." The man mused.

The man looked up at us and was about to let us in but first said, "Oh, by the way. We ask that you refrain from wearing armor inside the park…and to wear some clothes…"

"Oh, right!" Erza exlaimed as she requiped out of her Heart Kreuz Armor.

Meanwhile, Gray rushed to throw his clothes back on.

The man proceeded to do the standard protocol for new guests at the park and let us in without further issue. Inside, the park was bustling with guests and staff. Roller coasters roared above us, and games rang out throughout the whole park. I felt my heart race in my chest in excitement. I looked over to Gray and saw that he was cracking a smile. Erza on the other hand seemed to be lost in thoughts.

"I'm going on that." Gray said, pointing to a roller coaster.

"I think I'll start off with something a bit smaller." I replied.

The roller coaster Gray had picked was probably the biggest one in the park. It had a bunch of loops and tall hills. I never rode many roller coasters when I was younger, so I was a bit intimated by it. I might try it later.

"How about you Erza?" Gray asked.

Erza snapped out of her thoughts, "Oh, no you go on ahead."

Gray shrugged at jogged towards the line leading up to the roller coaster.

"Are you alright, Erza?"

"Huh, yeah. I'm just…a little overwhelmed is all." Erza replied with a smile.

"Okay, well how about we go on a ride, something small maybe?" I asked, hinting at the fact that I didn't want to go on a large roller coaster.

"How about the tilt-a-whirl?"

"Perfect!"

I grabbed Erza's hand and ran further in the park with her in tow. We reached the tilt-a-whirl, and after a short wait at the line, we were seated on the ride. Erza took a hold of the center wheel and I saw the evil in her eyes and realized I made a grave mistake. I knew I was about to learn how Natsu felt every time he rode a vehicle.

"Excuse me, can I sit with you guys, Nya?" A brunette girl whose hair was stylized like a cat and a choker with a bell around her neck asked.

"Yeah sure!" I replied, scooting over for the girl to sit down.

"Thanks-nya!" She sat down next to me. As she did so I noticed a tail sticking out from under her dress.

The girl must have noticed me looking at her tail because she proceeded to say, "Do you like it? I can show you were you can buy one?"

"Um…no, I'll pass." I replied.

The girl shrugged, "Your loss. My name is Millianna by the way. What's your's-nya?"

"My name's Lucy, and this is my friend Erza." I said, introducing the two of us.

"Oh, you two are friends? I'm not intruding am I."

"N-no." Erza replied.

The ride began to move and Millianna and I began to spin us around. Erza was helping, but it was obvious that she wasn't helping too much. That wasn't a problem for me. That meant I didn't have to worry about getting sick.

Gray

It's been almost an hour since I went off on my own. I was wandering around the park looking for Lucy and Erza. I had ridden a few rides since we split up and I was sure they were on rides as well. I peered at some of the rides, trying to see if I can spot them on any of them, when a blue haired girl ran into me and knocked both of us over.

"Oh, Juvia is so sorry!" the girl cried out as she tried to get off of me.

"It's no problem." I said as I picked myself up off the ground.

I got a good look at the girl. She looked to be about my age. She had long blue hair that was curved at the base and she was wearing a blue dress with a shawl over it with a white doll hanging off of it. She actually looked kind of cute.

"Juvia is usually watching where she is going." The girl continued, "Juvia hopes she didn't hurt you!"

"It's fine, seriously." I continued.

"Juvia sees, then Juvia will." The girl, who I assume is named Juvia paused for a moment before saying, "Why are you stripping?"

"Wha?" I looked down and realized I had already taken off my shirt, "Ah, come on."

"You are Fairy Tail?" Juvia asked.

"Yeah," I replied, putting my shirt back on and covering up my guild mark, "Why?"

"Stay away from Gajeel-kun, Salamander." Juvia suddenly became serious.

I was halfway through putting my shirt on when she said that, "Wait, you think I'm flamebrain?"

"Are you not Natsu Dragneel?"

"Hell no, I'm Gray Fullbuster. And who exactly are you?"

"I am Juvia Lockser, one of the Element Four from Phantom Lord."

I narrowed my eyes at the girl from the rival guild. It began to drizzle around us.

"Juvia came here to have fun." The girl told me, "Do not ruin Juvia's fun."

"Yeah well, I'm just looking for a good time too. So how about we just stay out of each other's way?"

"Juvia likes that idea."

I didn't respond, but as Juvia walked past me she whispered to me, "But Juvia thinks you're being watched."

I looked at the girl with a surprised expression. Was she just trying to scare me? I scanned the area and tried to find someone who might be watching me. Everything looked clear, until I spotted the man from the entrance. He was watching Juvia walk away and then looked at me. He immediately walked away once he realized I was looking at him. Maybe that girl wasn't lying.

I decided to continue my search for my guild mates as the drizzle lifted, keeping an eye out for the man with the metal chin.

Thank you for reading! Sometime this week I am planning on posting a new story. It will be a NatZa (Natsu/Erza) story. Details about this story are on my profile if you are interested.

Please review!