[EDITED AS OF 07/04/22]
ONE TRUE MAGIC
"Do you know what is the One True Magic?"
"Is there such a thing?"
"One True magic, also known by the term Primordial Magic... It is the most sought-after type of magic that not anyone can obtain."
"Will I be able to have it, Mama?"
"Yes, as long as you stay true to yourself. After all, It's love…"
CHAPTER 5: Domino Effect
NATSU
"What do you mean by 'she doesn't even remember that she's a mage'?!What the hell?!" He just looked at me like he isn't even sure of the answer, ruffling his mane-like hair in what it seems like frustration.
"I don't know, okay?! *sigh* As much as we, her spirits, like to talk to her or even open our gates to gather even more information about what is happening, we can't. Only some of us, like Virgo and I, have the capability to open our gates on our own without using Lucy's magic. She only knew me as Anna's acquaintance who she asked to accompany her to Magnolia…I tried to get her to warm up to me which she allowed and reciprocated but its still not the same. I know that she feels comfortable around me but there is still something restricting her to be as close as she was before…Probably because of confusion. She felt the same way when I introduced Virgo as my cousin. I can sense her other spirits longing for her attention like Plue and the twins, even Aquarius seems worried! but we know that we can't do anything about it. Well, not until we are sure of what is happening and confirmed the hunch that we had formulated…"
"How about your contracts?" I asked next knowing how much Lucy love her spirits and that suddenly voiding their contracts will surely devastate her if she have her memories.
"Thankfully, they're unaffected by this…"
"Her keys?"
"In her possession, though she doesn't know that they are celestial spirit keys. All she knew was that they were her mother's collection when she was little. She is unconsciously using her magic to maintain our contracts with her…"
I touch the end of my scarf, seeking comfort. I want to track whoever did this to us but without any leads, I know that it will just be rendered useless.
"Hey, about that hunch you guys have…What is it?"
"Remember when I said that we fought a woman with space magic? During our battle, I heard her talking about a man named Daimon. She said that she's her master and demanded us of giving back something that we took from them…But that doesn't belong to them, really and it never will..." He stated, voice turning cold at what he said in the end.
He continued, clearing his throat when he saw me looking at him in confusion. "That's what I need to consult about with the King so I wouldn't be able to tell you more about it. But I assure you, it's not theirs to claim... Anyway, we conducted a search about this man but we only found news of a man who was a devotee of Cronos, the god of time and Erebus, the god of Space. There were rumors of this man stealing some relic but we have yet to know what it is or what can it do…In hope to find some leads and clues, we focused our efforts and search on what we currently have thoroughly…"
"We thought of how this phenomenon and the current situation we're in, are connected to the missing relic...For now, the idea that they are somehow connected to the Celestial Spirit World is something we're focusing on..."
"All we know for now is that the gods of time and space both created the Celestial Spirit World, before the Celestial Spirit King's reign. I have yet to receive any response from Aquarius and Virgo, who were in their way to ask him some questions. Probably because he is busy locating the source of the increasing disturbances to spatial dimensions, which is slowly becoming a problem to the balance of different worlds. Disturbances in the form of the increasing amount of opened portals and gates all over the country. Crux is currently being accompanied by Capricorn and Horologium in our realm's library but what information we currently have from that isn't verified so for now, we're at lost…" He fixed his glasses before looking at me seriously.
"Now that I know that you're here and that your memories were unaffected by what is happening, I trust that you will watch over our princess?"
"Tsk Of course! There are still things that I don't understand but I get the gist of it! So, all I have to do for now is to make Lucy remember right?!" I exclaimed glancing at the apartment's window and grinning when I heard Lucy and Happy's laughter from my position.
"Yes, just until we get some solid leads about the situation…Natsu, about the guild.."Loke trailed off. I understood what he meant and nodded at him, a little bit calmer from before.
"Them too! I'm gonna make them remember and we will hunt the bastards who did this for some answers!" I saw Loke smile and nod.
"Then I'll trust you…I'll just tell Lucy that I have some business to attend to. I need to help the others in gathering information…"He said before making his way inside. Psh! It's much easier to use Lucy's window!
I was about to make my way up when a thought suddenly crossed my mind. Didn't the Erza and Ice Princess told me that I was in coma for 2 years?! I heard from Loke that Lucy had just woke up a week ago! But what about me?!
"Hey Loke! Can you tell me the time that had passed?!"He stopped walking and faced me. He immediately understood that I'm pertaining to the time where he was last summoned.
"Two weeks…"He answered before opening the door and heading upstairs.
I felt relieved hearing his answer. Well, 2 years is such a long time and missing that out just because I'm in a coma doesn't sound appealing.
Suddenly smelling a familiar scent coming from Lucy's window, my stomach began to grumble.
Fire Chicken! I thought as I made my way up to her room. Come to think of it, I didn't have any breakfast today! Add that to the days of my 'coma' where I haven't eaten!
And now I'm starving!
Following the noise and the scent of food, I went to the kitchen. Reaching the doorway, I saw Happy munching a fish as he sat on top of the table and Lucy, who is in the process of transferring what she cooked in a plate.
I didn't see Loke so I figured he just told Lucy that he needs to leave before disappearing to the Celestial Spirit World.
Leaning in the wall, I watched their interaction. Happy stopped eating his fish and peered at the plate Lucy placed in front of her. I watched as a tiny smirk spread on his face and could only shake my head when I figured what his 'plan' is.
"Ne, Lucy…"He started which caught Luce's attention. She turned to him in confusion and raised a questioning brow towards the blue feline, who is currently hiding a small smirk with his paw.
"What is it, Happy?"
"Are you broke?" Happy asked now hiding his now wide smirk with both of his paws. I saw Lucy huff in annoyance which made me grin. One of Lucy's quirks that I had noticed from the time that we were together is that she is very expressive on how she feels. When she's happy, excited and feeling giddy, expect a full-blown smile and twinkling brown eyes to make an appearance. When she's sad and even in the verge of crying, you can observe it from her watery eyes, slouched figure and gloomy expression. When she feels annoyed, her face heats up and her eyebrows are drawn together. Add the sounds of irritation that she makes and viola! An annoyed Lucy Heartfilia!
"No, why?" She answered. I suppress a snicker at her annoyed expression…Now for THE question.
"Then why are you eating grass?" As soon as Happy finished his question, I saw him grabbed his fish and flew away from Lucy, who is currently turning red from what is seems like annoyance.
"WHA—HAPPY! THIS IS NOT A GRASS! THIS IS A SALAD!" I grinned when I saw her contemplate throwing something at Happy or chasing him around the small kitchen.
I felt relieved as I observed the scene, thankful that even if so many things are happening right now, there are still things that didn't change.
Deciding that Happy's life is at risk when I saw Lucy grabbed a spoon, I straightened my posture.
"Yo, Lucy! Happy!"I exclaimed earning a 'Natsuuu, Lucy is gonna eat me!' complaint from Happy and a startled 'Eeek' from Lucy.
"NATSU! How many times do I have to say how shouldn't sneak up on people like that!" I turned to Lucy in shock, surprised at the familiar outburst I kept hearing from her as a result of my pranks on her. I observed her annoyed expression melt into a surprised one. Her eyes widen as she covered her mouth with her hand.
She cleared her throat and with a face flush from embarrassment uttered,"S-sorry…Uhm just got caught up with the moment you know? *laughs awkwardly* I-Uhm…a-are you hungry?I made lunch for us incase…"She trailed off, casting an embarrassed glance at the floor.
"I-Uhh-yeah…Thank you…"I managed to reply as I made my way to towards the dining table, Happy on my trail snickering 'She likeees him' and 'He likeees her' statements, only stopping when I gave him a look.
A grin slowly made its way back to my face. This is a progress on Operation Lucy! All I have to do is to tell Happy about my plan! Yosh!
LUCY
Stupid!
Stupid!
Stupid!
Stupid self! Ugh! I just want the ground to swallow me right now!
I glared at Happy when I heard his snickers. Damn cat! This is all because of you!
Just what the hell is happening to me?! Ever since I met him, all I ever did are stupid and creepy things!
First, I smelled him then now, I act familiar to him! My face heated up much more at that thought. I glanced at Natsu and was surprised when I saw him staring at me. I offered him a small smile which he returned with that wide grin of his.
I don't get it. Why am I acting this way towards a person I'm meeting for the first time? And why am I acting comfortable?!
Thinking back, I felt weird when my outburst earlier gave me a sense of familiarity. It felt like a natural reaction. Huh...am I used to being sneaked upon? If that's the case, can't say I remember a time. I am an only child, and I don't have any friends at my Aunt's village so if that's the reason why I acted like that, well who's sneaked up on me?
"Hey Luce, are you okay?" I almost questioned him with the nickname but I decided to shrug that thought away.
"I'm fine…"I replied before swallowing a mouthful of leafy vegetables. He watched from what I guess is amusement for a second before turning to eat his own food.
"Hey Natsu? Can I ask you a question?" I asked after swallowing my food and drinking the orange juice that I have prepared earlier.
"Sure, whash idsh it?" I fought the urge to tell him to swallow first before talking. I mean come on! The food isn't going anywhere! I prepared that meal for him and Happy obviously didn't want it since his sole focus is on the fish I gave to him.
"S-so I want to ask you…how do you know me? Happy told me that I sort of have an amnesia...Care to explain?" I saw him looked at Happy and have like some sort of telepathic communication before focusing his attention to me.
He swallowed his food, wiping his mouth in the process before questioning me," What did he tell you about so far?"
"About how you're a mage and that I'm also one too?"
He didn't say anything for a few seconds. He stared at me, wearing that unusual serious expression of his before shrugging in nonchalance.
"I won't and will not lie to you cause' I honestly wanna tell you everything that I know but there's some-circumstances that I need to consider first. All I can say is that I know you, you know me, we're best friends and you're my partner…"
Feeling slightly stunned of his simple answer, I kept my mouth shut as he slowly begin to it again," As for the mage part, yeah I'm a Dragon Slayer and if you're my partner, you can probably tell now the answer to your question..." So I was a mage? I have magic?! But why can't I remember anything? I stared at the guy eating without any are to his surroundings.
Why do I feel like I could trust him? shook my head and sigh.
"I don't know why I believed you instantly…Well, I still have doubts but who wouldn't when someone tells you that you're a mage which was in contrast to what I know? And as much as I want to question you of what is truly happening, I don't now if I'm ready. Its like…I have the feeling that the answers that I seek will instantly change my life right now…" I started off. I watch as his gaze softens and instantly felt something warm. I pretended that his gaze is not affecting me and continued, "But I have to remind you that this concerns me as well…Whatever this is, you'll have to tell me eventually and besides…I feel like I can trust you so I will try to understand your reluctance to tell me the truth…Usually, I'm the type of a person who likes any conversations to be straightforward but I don't know why if its you…"I trailed off before stopping myself completely.
What the hell?!Why does this sound like a confession?!
"Anyway, you get my point (He nod as I avoided looking at him from embarrassment. Like seriously?! How many time do I have to embarrass myself? Argh! I'm acting like a teenager infront of his crush! Get a grip Lucy! I saw him smirk at my peripheral view. This guy!) Well then, good...let's eat..."
After a few minutes of silence, I saw him finished his food and burp which caused me to give him an annoyed glare. He smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, the food is delicious.." He responded which instantly melted any of my annoyance. Seriously? How can he do that?!
NATSU
That was delicious!
Feeling satisfied and sated, I looked at Lucy. Geez! Why is she so slow? I thought as I watch her eat her salad. It was then that I noticed her hand, specifically her right hand where her guild mark once resided.
'Natsu! Look at my guild mark!' I frowned when an image of Lucy showing me her guild mark flashed through my mind.
"Natsu? What's wrong?" I snapped off my thoughts when I heard Lucy's voice.
"I'm fine…just thinking of some stuff..."I replied vaguely.
"Oh…"I instantly felt bad being the cause of her crest-fallen expression. I don't want to pressure her but I wanna tell her everything, hoping that her memories will come back by doing that. I instantly brightened up as I thought of a suitable idea.
"Hey Lucy, do you want Happy and I to give you a tour of Magnolia? You've been here before, but I guess that's a story for another time. So what do ya say?" I watched as her eyes brightens up, lips forming a wide smile as she answered, "Ofcourse!"
"Is that okay with you buddy?" I asked, turning to Happy for a confirmation.
"Aye!" He responded.
This is the chance for Operation Make Lucy remember progress!
Yosh! I'm all fired up!
MEANWHILE AT THE GUILD
ERZA
Lucy Heartfilia
Lucy…where did I heard that name before? I thought as I took a bite of my strawberry cake.
Natsu's party ended a while ago and while I'm still disappointed of his decision earlier, I can't say that I didn't understand the feeling of being useless…
There is something wrong and I'm sure whatever it is, has something to do with Lucy, the name of the girl Natsu kept mentioning after waking up.
"Is there something wrong, Erza?" I heard Mira asked. Placing my fork down, I turned to her. "Do you know any Lucy Heartfilia, Mira?"
"Lucy? Isn't that the name mentioned by the pink-haired woman wearing some maid costume from two weeks ago? Remember the time where she said that this Lucy is her master and that she's a Celestial Spirit? She even knew us all right? Especially you, Gray and Wendy…I remember her talking to you guys…"She answered before falling into what it seems like a deep thought. I observed her expression for a moment before calling her name out of concern when I noticed her in the verge of tearing up.
"Mira?" She slightly tensed at her name being called before relaxing and giving me a small smile.
"What's wrong?"
"I just–It's weird…Thinking of this 'Lucy' made me suddenly feel that she's important…I don't know why but its like losing Lisanna all over again..." Her reply made me tense as a scene suddenly flashed through my mind.
"You're like the big sister that I've never had…Thank you for always being there, Erza..." A blonde stated, hugging a Scarlet-haired woman.
Erza stared at the twinkling stars scattered to the night sky and instantly understood the sudden emotional statement of the blonde.
Looking at them reminds her of her beloved mother...
Her father...
Her now deceased family...
The two of them were alone, finishing their tasks ahead of the indicated time they discussed with the rest of their team.
Still exhausted from the events from that day, they decided to set a camp in the forest on their way home. Natsu and Gray were nowhere to be found, doing the tasks assigned to them; hunting their food for the night and collecting some sticks for building fire. They were supposed to eat the food that they brought as their dinner but since Natsu secretly ate it, they have no choice but to hunt. He got away with it but not without a large bump on his head that he kept whining about every now and then.
"No, I should be the one thanking you, Thank you for coming to our lives…And I-uhm I also consider you as my little sister…" The requip mage replied, suddenly becoming embarrassed of the gratitude and affection the blonde is showing her. She pat the younger on her head to show her appreciation and affection.
Hearing the rustling of leaves followed by bickering voices, the blonde loosened her hold of Erza before letting go, looking away in embarrassment.
"S-Sorry, I just got emotional seeing the stars... Suddenly remembering how close my mother's death anniversary is..." The Celestial Spirit Mage mumbled in a soft voice.
"It's alright...You don't have to be embarrassed. We're your family, it's normal to support each other..."
Giving her one last smile, they turned towards the emerging two silhouettes from the darkness.
"I only used one-tenth of my strength in capturing this boar!" Natsu exclaimed boastfully to his rival.
Gray encountered it with, "Oh yeah? Well I don't even need to use my magic! I knocked it out barehanded!"
"I knocked it out with my punch! Besides, my magic only amplified my amazing strength! I could so knock out that boar with my barehands!"
"Did not! I was the one who defeated it first!"
"No you didn't! I did!"
"No, I did!"
Erza glared at her two oblivious teammates as the Celestial Mage silently backed away from them.
"SHUT UP THE BOTH OF YOU!" She exclaimed, alerting the guys of her presence who immediately froze and sat with their legs under them.
"Y-Yes Ma'am..."They both stammerred out as the blonde shook her head.
Clenching my fist because of the sudden burst of longingness, I remained standing despite the sudden depletion of strength on my knees, causing them to wobble slightly.
What is tha—No, who is that? Is she the 'Lucy' Natsu's been talking about?
GRAY
"I know that you always have my back, Gray. Thank you for always being my supporter and my cool knight in shining armor…" A blonde stated, causing the Ice Make Mage to furrow his brows in confusion.
"What's with the sudden emotional statement? You okay?" Gray questioned, flushing slightly in embarrassment because of the words used to describe him.
The Celestial Mage just nodded before whipping her head back and forth as if she's searching for something or someone. Gray cast her an amused smile, curious of her reasons and entertained by how weird she's acting.
Suddenly, she breath a sigh of relief, "Juvia's not here, good. I just hope that Juvia wouldn't hear that! I still want to live!" She exclaimed before facing him, wanting to finally explain herself.
"It was just a dare, I swear! But Mira freaking dared me to tell you what I felt about you which is not fair since it was both truth and dare! Oh yeah, what I said is the truth by the way! I treat you as an older br—Wait this just got ten times more embarrassing! I—Uhh Nevermind! Thanks for your time though!" She rambled on, stopping when she heard snickers behind her. She proceeded to cover her reddening face before waving at me awkwardly as she walked back to their game.
I chuckled in amusement, finding her panicking and rambling self cute.
I saw her trip but then got caught by Flame Brain who quickly stood up and went to her when he noticed her tripping.
Yup, definitely my cute and clumsy little sister...
What the hell? I instantly dropped my head to the table when I suddenly felt the hand that I was leaning to, collapsed because of the sudden voice in my head.
I overheard Erza and Mira talking about the 'Lucy' Flame brain's been talking about and zoned out as I thought of how that name sounds familiar and comforting. Sure, I disregarded it when Natsu mentioned her, thinking that I was just being affected by his stupidness but thinking about it now? What if Lucy is really a part of the guild?
Ruffling my hair, another scene suddenly flashed through my mind.
"Not my hair! Gray! Nooo!" A woman turned her blonde hair away from a man, frantically touching her hair to see what she can still do.
Figuring out that her hair is ruined, she slouched at a table sighing in defeat. The man with her earlier sat beside her, nudging her arms with his, "Geez, come on! Alright, I'll buy you your strawberry milkshake as compensation for your hair…"
The woman glanced at him, "Add a slice of Erza's cake and it's a deal…" The man dumfounded looked at the woman before sighing. "Alright, I'm gonna ask Mira for a slice of another flavored cake instead of Erza's strawberry cake…I still want to live, thank you very much…"
A blonde woman?
Damn, why do I suddenly feel like that there's something missing?!
THIRD PERSON'S POV
The guild noticed something was wrong when they saw Mira wiping her eyes, so they quieted a bit to hear what is wrong from her and Erza's conversation.
As the name 'Lucy' was mentioned, several guild members zoned out of the conversation to think why the name sounded familiar and have an impact to them.
Levy, while holding her now closed book gave off a gasp when a scene suddenly flashed through her mind.
"Levy-chan, sorry I haven't finished the next chapter…" A voice said, making the woman buried in her books glanced at the newcomer.
"Let me guess…Natsu?'"
"Who else?Ugh! I swear that grin of his is the culprit why I can't be mad at h—" The blunette laughed at her friend's outburst and slip. "Oho that grin of his huh? Care to elaborate?'"
"You're one to talk Levy-chan! Aren't you fascinated by a certain Iron Dragon Slayer's grin too?" The blonde teases back causing the blunette to cover her mouth.
"Shhh (she then let go) Well, I guess we are going through the same thing huh?" The two of them then laughed.
W-who? What is happening?
Levy was confused so she put all of pieces together…
The strange photo she found from the library a few days ago, Natsu's behavior and statements after he woke up which Gray told her about to consult her of the Dragon Slayer's condition. Finally, the mysterious blonde that occupied their thoughts.
Is it possible that we are under a spell? She looked around. But the past 2 years all seem true and genuine! If this is a spell, only an experienced mage will be able to pull this off!
As some of the guild members heard or saw something, triggering emotions that they can't explain, a man was seething in anger from where he sat on his throne.
"Damn fairies!" He exclaimed when he felt the effects of Gaian's spell weakening.
He called one of his servants and ordered, "Bring the twins to me and Khora to update me of what is happening! Send the last team to the fucking fairy guild to monitor their actions in their absence!" He commanded.
END OF CHAPER 5
A/N: I just want to clarify that when Natsu,in Chapter 2,questioned the rest of the members of Team Natsu,he is referring to the '2 years' in their perspective. Now that Loke indicated that Natsu was only asleep for 2 weeks, it can be assumed that guild's perception of how much time had passed was also altered!
Anyway, that's the end of the chapter! So, should I mention in the next chapter what the other members remembered? Or should I just make a part 2? Just leave a review and let me know what you guys think of this chapter! Thank You!