HEY Y'ALL! I MISSED YOU!
I've been trying to make time for writing and I've been held up with a lot of stuff with school and my sport, so I really REALLY apologize to you all for the late update.
Anyway, I realize my grammar has been wonky in most of my writing, so I want to give a big shout out to FireShifter for helping me out with correcting the missed grammar errors, and for going over my story for possible plot holes.
As for where we left off, it seems like everyone's been having a good time as of late, but sadly for our heroes, happiness and peace can't last forever. Zeref has released the groups next obstacles, and he himself is on the move. But something, or someone, is missing. Who or what could it be? READ TO FIND OUT! :D
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL OR ANY REAL WORLD REFERENCES IN THIS STORY!
Key for story(More will be added IF needed):
BOLD - anger, attacks
Italic - thoughts, dreams, other end(s) of a phone call, singing and song titles
Christmas seemed to be just around the corner, yet it couldn't come fast enough. They'd been quite busy in school as winter break closed in on them, and Lucy in particular was nervous. Her plan was to go into effect in a couple days considering the break began. Third period was going by extremely slow, almost as if time had come to a standstill. The blonde sighed and looked outside.
Just one more day, huh. She thought. After next Monday, winter break arrives.
She'd given thought to her feelings for the two boys who'd confessed to her, and made her decision. She'd always felt a warmth around the pink haired boy, not quite understanding it herself for a while, and dismissed the feeling. During Thanksgiving, she found that her feelings for Natsu were true, and planned to tell him on Christmas, along with giving him a very special gift. She'd talked to Levy about it, and by the bluenette's reaction, she hoped he'd like it. If all went according to plan, the two of them would-
"Hey are you alright?"
His voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She realized she was blushing, causing her cheeks to turn a darker shade of red, especially since Natsu's face was only inches from hers. His faded jade eyes, staring directly into hers. A worried look on his face.
"O-Oh… yeah." she replied, flustered.
At that, his face morphed into that heart warming smile of his. Flashing his teeth at her, he walked to the door of the classroom, and turned back to her.
"Come on, the others are waiting for us." he said. Looking around, she realized class was over. She quickly packed her bag and they made a run for the gymnasium. When they got there, her father scolded them for being late. After they got changed in the locker rooms, they made their way over to Gray, Gajeel, Erza, and the others who were waiting for them over by the far basketball hoop.
"Hey guys." said the noirette, waving at the two of them. "What took you so long?"
"S-Sorry." Lucy apologized. "I kinda lost track of time… daydreaming, I guess"
"Daydreaming? YOU?" asked a surprised Levy. Suddenly, her face switched to an evil smirk. Lucy read it as, I know you were daydreaming about him. Lucy quickly bolted at the girl, flicking her forehead and telling her to hush. After that was cleared up, Gray came up to her.
"Hey, have you seen Loke?" he asked, a worried look on his face. The blonde shook her head.
"No, I haven't." she thought for a second. "Wait, where's he been? I haven't seen him all week." she recalled.
"Me neither." replied the boy. "He didn't tell me he was going anywhere either, so…"
"Strange indeed." remarked the bluenette. "I wonder if he's okay?"
Lucy instantly had a flashback to when they were kidnapped by Zeref. It sent a shiver down her spine. If Zeref was involved, they had to find Loke quickly. Natsu and the others had gotten used to their magic, learning to control them fairly well, but the fact remained as to how they could stop Zeref from harming anyone on their own. She looked over at Natsu, who was racing Gajeel around the gym. She sighed, knowing that the pinkette wanted to go after Zeref and stop his plans for good, but she knew that he was still new to his powers. From what it seemed, there were much more veteran people within the madman's lab, who'd take them down in an instant.
After the final bell rang, they all headed home. Upon arriving, they ate an early dinner, and went to their rooms. They planned to go around the city to shop and hang out as a group since it was a Friday night. The blonde went through all of her clothes, trying to decide which was the cutest. Eventually, she decided on a pink tank top, a black denim skirt. Due to the weather getting colder, she put a pair of black leggings on underneath to keep her legs warm. Grabbing a black coat downstairs and her purse, she got a pair of hazel Ugg's on, and looked for her pink haired friend to come down the stairs.
When he descended, she found her eyes wandering up and down his body. He was wearing a pair of ripped jeans, along with a plain black t-shirt and grey zip-up jacket. He smiled at her as he picked up his grey tennis shoes.
"You look good, Luce." he said, his tanned cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. In return, her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red.
"T-Thanks." she responded. Her heart began to beat faster as she gazed at his jade orbs. "You don't look half bad yourself." she smiled.
With that, they headed outside, where Natsu started up the van. Lucy never would have thought that he'd have his license since he had no way of paying for a class or anything, but when he explained the Makarov played a key role in him being able to take the class, she understood a little better at how he was able to drive. WIth her parents permission, he was given permission to drive the two of them to pick up a couple of their friends for their outing. Within a couple minutes later, Gajeel, Levy, Erza, Gray, and Cana were in the van as they headed into the for some reason, Natsu and Gajeel began to feel queasy. Their faces were turning green, and seeming they'd puke any minute, so Erza stepped up and took the wheel.
"Bleeeerg." groaned the pinkette as he leaned his head out the window. "Wrhaat's wrong wif meh?"
Gajeel answered with the slightest of comments. "We're fuuuging carsi- Uugh"
Mira had texted them earlier saying that she, Laxus and the others were waiting for them at their bar. It took them about fifteen minutes to get there, but upon arrival, they found the bar to be swamped with teenagers.
While Natsu and Gajeel were crying in happiness that they'd exited the vehicle, Lucy and the others were staring in confusion. They looked at Mira who was walking up to greet them. Most of the teenagers they recognized from school, but they didn't understand why they were here.
"Welcome!" chirped the white haired girl. She was wearing a red top with a long, frilly white skirt. She helped them to their tables, although Natsu pulled Gray and Gajeel with him, with Erza tagging along as well. They disappeared for a moment in the prep room as the rest of their friends arrived. The rest settled in, trying to sit as close to the stage as possible. The blonde looked over at Mira, who had brought their group a couple drinks.
"Mira," she asked, "why did the others go with Natsu to the prep room?"
"Oh, that?" She said, "They've been preparing a surprise for a while."
"Surprise?" Lucy mused.
"Mhm. I think you'll enjoy it." she nodded. "Elfman and I have been spreading the word around school via posters, and it seems like we'll have a good crowd tonight."
Just then, the four came out from the prep room with instruments and mics. Elfman and Laxus helped set up on the stage, giving Lucy enough time to grasp what was happening. She smiled to herself as the four friends got to their positions. Gray stood slightly behind and to the left of Natsu, holding a black icy blue electric guitar. Natsu himself had brought his acoustic one, and seemed to be busy tuning at the moment. Erza was behind them to the right, sitting among a crimson drum set, with Gajeel opposite to her, with a steely bass guitar. When everything seemed to be ready, Natsu spoke into the mic.
"Hey all!" he said cheerfully. "We've got a few songs planned for tonight, so we hope you enjoy!"
With that, they began playing softly and slowly getting louder, then Erza set the beat as the boy strummed away. Natsu got close to the mic and began to sing.
I'm a few drinks in, but that ain't the reason
I'm all tongue tied and my breath's leaving this fast
I can't get past those blue eyes shining
They keep drawing me in to you
Got me fallin' off track
You get me like that
Yeah I'm hangin' on, hangin' on
To every word you say
Every move you make
I'm hangin' on, hangin' on
Wondering what's up next
Girl, I can't wait
Ain't nothing like spinning you around the room
Where everyone can see
You hangin' on, hangin' on to me
It ain't the song, and it ain't the playlist
It's every smile coming off of your sweet lips, yeah
That makes me wanna stay here
No, this ain't a one night, one time thing
You always light me up like a flame and it's clear
Every time you're near
Yeah I'm hangin' on, hangin' on
To every word you say
Every move you make
I'm hangin' on, hangin' on
Wondering what's up next
Girl, I can't wait
Ain't nothing like spinning you around the room
Where everyone can see
You hangin' on, hangin' on to me
Yeah, you hangin' on to me
So let me pull you a little closer
Even when the music's over
I'll be hangin' on, hangin' on
To every word you say
Every move you make
I'm hangin' on, hangin' on
Wondering what's up next
Girl, I can't wait
Ain't nothing like spinning you around the room
Where everyone can see
You hangin' on, hangin' on to me
Yeah, you hangin' on to me
Somewhere along the first time the chorus was being sung, a bunch of people began clapping as the four joined in harmony. Eventually people began to join in until the whole building was filled with music and clapping. Lucy found herself smiling again as she watched her friends continue singing another song: Love Someone by Brett Eldridge.
Oh baby, would you look right there
The way the sun is hitting your hair
The way the world just stopped right here
In mid-air, I don't ever wanna move
You put the cool in the breeze
You put the weak here in my knees
You put me right where I'm supposed to be
In your blue-eyed sea
And I wanna sail away
'Cause when I wake up in the middle of the night
You're holding me so tight
Take whole of me, my oh my
Sure feels good to love someone
When you laugh at the way I dance
When you smile when you hold my hand
I look at you and I understand
Sure feels good to love someone
You knock me out kiss by kiss
I need you baby, sip by sip
Sit back and let me drink you in
I'm falling to you
Over and over and over again
When I wake up in the middle of the night
You're holding me so tight
Take whole of me, my oh my
Sure feels good to love someone
When you laugh at the way I dance
When you smile when you hold my hand
I look at you and I understand
Sure feels good to love someone
Everywhere I want to go and
Everywhere I want to be at
Everywhere I've ever been
Everything I'll ever need
Is sitting right here next to me
When I wake up in the middle of the night
You're holding me so tight
Take whole of me, my oh my
Sure feels good to love someone
When you laugh at the way I dance
When you smile when you hold my hand
I look at you and I understand
Sure feels good to love someone
Sure feels good
The whole time, the four on stage had bright smiles on their faces. All four became stars that were radiating happiness and energy, and spreading it throughout the people around them. Recalling how their relationships with each other had been upon meeting all of them, once more she was elated to see them this happy in each others company. As they continued on singing, they spread to other genres. They played Irresistible by Fall Out Boy, a few pop songs, as well as a couple rock songs, which Natsu transitioned to a red electric guitar for. After playing around forty-five minutes worth of music, they called it a night, receiving a standing ovation. After receiving some help putting away the instruments and clearing the stage, the four joined them at the tables.
"Not bad." commented Levy, "It was almost like a real concert."
"Yeah." added the blonde, smiling at her friends. "And it seems that not only the crowd was having a good time."
Cana slammed her glass down and sighed loudly. Wiping her mouth with her forearm, she smirked. "Yeah, Gajeel," she said, "That's probably the most I've ever seen you smile."
The group burst out laugh as Gajeel's face lit up red. "S-So what!?"
"Yeah, it was a cute smile, Gajeel." giggle Levy, earning a nod and giggle from Juvia."
"Juvia agrees with Levy." she smiled. She then proceeded to scoot closer to Gray. "You were fantastic, Gray." she said, a small flush appearing on her pale cheeks as her blue eyes gazed at his.
"Well, uh, thanks." he said, scratching the back of his head. "But Natsu was the star her-"
He was cut off when Natsu smacked the noirette on the head. Gray glared at him.
"What the hell, man!?"
"Shut up, Gray!" Natsu growled. "I wasn't the only one up there singing, was I? Just take the compliment!"
"What if I don't want the glory?" he growled, butting his head against Natsu's.
"Then I'll force it down your throat, Popsicle!"
"Oh yeah, cinder breath?"
"Hell yeah!"
Next thing they knew, the two of them were brawling in the middle of the bar. Lucy and the other girls sighed and shook their heads. Thankfully, Erza was there to shut it down.
"BOYS!" she growled, standing up.
"Yes Ma'am!" they said, springing up at attention. Their faces looked as though their lives were being sucked right out of them as Erza put them both in choke holds.
"Be. Nice." she said firmly, letting them go and gasp for air as the rest of them laughed at the boys' misfortune. They sighed and began ordering food and drinks before they could leave. Upon watching the boys, mainly Natsu and Gajeel, scarf down their food, they paid each of their tabs and got up to leave, only to almost fall over. The ground began to shake violently and dishes began to break upon hitting the floor.
"EARTHQUAKE!" Someone screamed.
Jellal took action. "GET DOWN!" He yelled over their panicking classmates, and all the others in the building, as well as making sure everyone got down underneath the tables.
The sound of a large explosion in the distance alerted them to something being off. Natsu, Gajeel, Laxus, Erza, Gray, and Jellal suddenly tensed up, their eyes widening.
"This feeling…" muttered the scarlet haired girl, her face holding a shattered expression.
"What…. What is this… this power?" stammered Gray.
"What are you talking about, Gray?" asked a worried Juvia.
Natsu let a growl escape his lips as they formed a snarl. His eyes began to turn from their natural emerald, to their ruby red when he transformed. "There's people out there." He growled. "And their magic power is crazy strong."
Before they knew what was happening, the pinkette, along with the other five, dashed out the door as the shaking stopped. Lucy watched them leave, only wishing she could help. Suddenly, she felt weak, tired, and darkness began to wash over her sight. Her friends voices began to lessen as they tried to wake her, and as she drifted away into an unknown sleep.
Lucy didn't know where she was. Everything was dark around her. Unable to hear, touch, smell, or use any other senses for that matter. As she drifted in that darkness, she snapped into focus, and internally gasped when she saw who was before her.
Zeref! she thought with fear.
He was smiling. They were in what appeared to be his office. The blinds were down on the windows behind him as he sat at his desk. His hands clasped and his chin resting upon them. He seemed rather… amused for some reason. He was smiling, which she hated to see him do. Anyone who kidnaps people and uses them in experiments like he did, didn't deserve to be able to smile like that. She felt her lips move to speak, but her voice never came. Neither did her words. Different ones, and ones from a person she didn't expect to hear, as well as regretted hearing in this situation.
"Zeref. I'm glad you agreed to meet me."
"Of course, it's my pleasure." replied the noirette, extending his hands like a father, expecting to embrace his long, lost son. "Though it deeply surprised me. Yes it did. Especially after what's happened. Now, tell me what you want, Loke."
Natsu ran down the street, he had to avoid frantically running pedestrians. He had his enhanced, red eyes scouting for the site of the attack, and his enhanced nose tracking down the source of this tremendous magic power.
He saw a few people he recognized, like some teachers running past him, earning him confused frightened facial expressions. Thankfully, he and the others had talked about bringing a change of clothes in case something like this happened, lest someone were to find out who he was.
He wore a sleeveless, gold trimmed, black waistcoat, which he had left open and untucked, exposing his chest, a gold trimmed, black cloth around his waist that reaches his knees, held by a leather brown belt with an oval-shaped silver buckle, white knee-length trousers with black ribbon ties, a thick black wristband on his left wrist, black open-toed sandals. Upon the advice of Igneel, he donned these clothes, wondering if he looked stupid or not.
Jellal had brought a navy blue aviator trench coat, that had gray fuzz at the top, which Natsu found ridiculous, as well as a black long sleeve t-shirt and matching black pants, running with black Nike's. Erza had donned her 'Heaven's Wheel' armor as they'd seen before, and Laxus brought a purple shirt, and beige pants, wearing black combat boots to top it off. Gajeel went with a dark blue trench coat, which had its tail reaching down to his upper calves, a green short-sleeved shirt worn under it, beige pants which were similar to Laxus', studded boots, gloves, belt and wristbands. Hell, he looked like a steel girder that was dressed up, and then bolted.
Gray had on a white trench coat with blue trim, with a black, long sleeve t-shirt underneath. With grey pants and some black Adidas sneakers on. Half of his body was covered with that black tattoo he'd received with his magic. Ever since his second encounter with Zeref, when he was told about their magic, he'd wondered why Gray was given Ice Demon Slayer specific magic, as opposed to normal Ice magic. He did remember Zeref talking about 'Demons', but he didn't really take him seriously when he mentioned it. But by reminding himself they were able to use magic, the idea of demons becoming real, didn't seem so fictional afterall.
He shook his head to snap himself out of it. Right now I need to focus. He thought. He continued following the scent, until he came upon something unsettling. The others stopped beside him, each sharing looks of disbelief.
"What the hell?" Natsu yelled.
Before them was a gigantic crater in the ground. Crumbling buildings seemed to be sinking across what seemed to be a half a mile in diameter. In the center of the crater stood a solid pillar of stone and concrete. On top of the pillar stood there was a group of six people: a tall, tan man with a green robe, holding a staff with a skull on it; a man with red hair and pointed ears; a woman in a white bikini and coat; a man with goggles and spiky hair; and a tall, large man with orange hair who was holding a book; and one sitting cross-legged on a floating carpet, seemingly asleep.
All of them looked rather intimidating in their own way, but Natsu was sure of one thing.
These are the guys. He thought, narrowing his eyes. They're the ones that this power is coming from.
"Greetings, fools." said the tan man, smirking. "You will be given the pleasure of being set free by us: Oracion Seis!"
The man pointed his staff at them and a bright green light formed, and it was rather large.
Natsu deadpanned. "Well, shit."
Well, there you have it!
It took a while but that's chapter 9! And before anyone mentions that in chapter 8, Zeref had already left his office, there's an explanation ofc. Can't have things just thrown together for no reason and have plot holes, now can we? There is more than one explanation and everything will be revealed soon!
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Song(s) in this chapter:
- Hanging On by Chris Young
- Love Someone by Brett Eldridge
New character's ages in this chapter:
- Subject Group: O.S.(will be described separately later ofc)
AS ALWAYS, FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A REVIEW OR A QUESTION IN EITHER THE REVIEW SECTION OR IN A PM, AND THANKS FOR READING! :D
