Chapter 2 - Discovery

As the late afternoon fell, Lucy made it to the lively carnival. People were bustling everywhere, little children clutching their parent's hands. Lucy's smile fell, but recovered quickly as she felt a familiar tug in the pit of her stomach.

She'd come to associate this feeling to her supposed soulmate; what else could it be? It was an unnatural sensation, as if the stars themselves were building a set of stairs for her to climb.

The tug she felt always - and she meant always - accompanied this feeling of absolute euphoria, and a blazing warmth that warmed her very soul. Was this perhaps where the term 'soulmate' came from? Could one's other half, so to speak, have the power to touch, and affect one's soul? How could you not feel vulnerable giving a person access to your soul? She thought that maybe, this is where Love came in. And… Trust.

Love. It felt so foreign on her tongue, and so far away, that she spat at it every chance she got. Well, maybe, she could excuse it this one time. Time to find her soulmate!

Lucy continued to follow the tug, feeling it tighten each time she took a step in that direction.

"Should I be doing this? What if he's some total freak! I'm so scared!" Lucy's anxiety for this situation was so high, it turned a few heads. She was walking calmly, of course, but each step she took was… heavy, her feet digging into the grassy paths with her entire weight.

But the feeling of euphoria she felt was so addicting, she couldn't possibly pass up this opportunity.

Though, when the feeling disappeared, and she knew she was at the right place, it was definitely not what she expected it to be. It was a small tent, fairy lights decorating the edges of it. A large wooden sign, charred on the edges, was stuck in front of it, the words "FORTUNE TELLER" carved in jagged strikes.

Lucy couldn't help it. She was always one to look for adventure.. And she had been pretty bored for the past few days. And besides, if the soulmate tug told her so, she'd listen to it; even if she was beginning to doubt it's wisdom.

She crouched down into the tent, pulling back the heavy purple fabric. Surprisingly, the inside of the tent was much larger than what she perceived it to be. It was almost like magic, the way it opened up.

She trudged into the tent, concluding it safe enough to enter. She made her way further into the tent, though it was safer to call it a Canvas tent by now. She stopped at the candles that glew a bright purple, entranced by the strange colour of the flames. Her hand reached out, wanting to feel the warmth of the dancing flame.

"Can I help you?"

Lucy let out an unladylike squeak, swivelling around to face the voice, only to find herself inches away from a woman.

She. Was. Gorgeous!

Her long, jet black hair complemented the pale skin, her crimson eyes piercing the tension. As she laid her eyes on Lucy's startled face, her eyes widened, realisation hitting her face like a bomb. She composed herself, stepping back. 'It's time. Lucy Heartfilia has been found.'

"Hello, there! I'm uh.. I'm Lucy! I saw a sign outside saying you were a fortune teller.. So uh.. Hi?"

The woman chuckled, lightening the mood. She held out her hand.

"Ultear Milkovich. Nice to meet you."

Lucy grasped the woman's hands, shocked at the freezing temperature. She let go, stepping backwards.

"Would you like to have your fortune read? Anything specific you have in mind? Maybe you're here for information on your soulmate?"

Lucy stared at her, shock only beginning to dissipate. She nodded, following the older woman to a corner in the tent. She sat down in front of her, her hands fiddling underneath the small table between them.

Ultear acted fast, for Lucy's sake, making sure to keep her comfortable in this time. She pulled out her Orb, placing it carefully on the stand.

"Lucy. Place your hands on the ball."

Lucy nodded at the woman, doing as told. Ultear smiled warmly. 'The poor girl doesn't deserve this pain… '

Ultear's eyes closed, and though she very clearly knew not to use her magic in this era, she couldn't help it. She was only prepping Lucy for the next, inevitable events, anyway.

Ultear channeled a sliver of raw magic into the Orb, causing it to glow a bright purple. 'Mavis.. You and Makarov better be right about what I'm about to say right now. I really do not remember what I said all those years ago.. I'm counting on your wisdom, Mavis. Guide me.. '

"Lucy, do not open your eyes." Ultear spoke. She observed Lucy's head bob, removing her own hands from the Orb. The purple in the Orb slowly faded, disappearing into Lucy's veins. This change, though Lucy could definitely feel it, the lack of ethernano in her system at this time will mean she wouldn't be able to see the change.

Her vessels glowed a bright gold, the Orb filling up with the same colour. Ultear watched with knowing eyes. And this was only with the barest sliver of ether! Lucy truly was the only hope they had…

"This is my reading, Lucy. I need you to listen carefully. Each and every word."

Lucy nodded. What was so important? It was just a fortune teller! She felt a heat travel through her body, wondering if it was her soulmate. Either way, she listened carefully.

"It's a weapon of great strength- "

Lucy's eyes flew open within a second, and she forcefully threw herself across the room, putting as much space between her and the Fortune Teller.

"What! Don't you give me that! Who are you!?" Lucy screamed at Ultear, who only watched with a knowing glance. Lucy filled up with rage. How does she know her mother's song!

"Kardia Cathedral, 5.00am tomorrow morning." Ultear spoke.

"I'm getting out of this freak show! Stay away from me!" Lucy spit with rage. Was her life really the only one the Gods could find to mess with?

She stood up, and bolted out of the tent, her breath quickening with each stride. She clutched the keys still in her pocket.

She was fully aware of the way they warmed. She was fully aware of the tug in her stomach pulsing. She was fully aware of all of this, but she couldn't handle it.

"I'm sorry, Lucy… " Ultear's face glistened with tears as she clutched the Orb. "You're on your own now. You're all Fairy Tail has. You're all he has…"

"Thank you, Ultear. Take a break. We just have to play the waiting game now. Nothing else to do." The blonde watched her from the tent. Her emerald eyes glinted with an all knowing light.

"Mavis.. You're right. Let us wait."

"Stupid song. Stupid keys. Stupid everything. How does a run down old witch know anything about this supposedly all knowing song that my dead beat mother wrote out? Ugh!"

Despite this, Lucy found herself carefully placing the keys into the wooden box, and heading to bed even though it was barely 9.00pm.

"Kardia Cathedral, 5.00am tomorrow morning."

Author Notes

Hey again!

1220 words this time.

I dunno how many people are gonna read this, but honestly, I love writing this fic.

CC Appreciated!

~ Kyla