Chapter 2
Natsu wasn't shocked about there being another Happy, but he was annoyed that he had been teleported away and that he chose to speak to Lucy and not him. He crossed his arms in annoyance. Seriously, he was so childish sometimes. Lucy was a bit suspicious though. This Happy was pretty creepy.
"Don't worry about that. The important part is that we'll get some answers hopefully. And we can stay at an inn in town." They had checked their pockets earlier to see what they had to work with. Enough money for a big meal or one night at a hotel on Earthland, as well as Lucy's keys. Natsu joked about camping, but thinking of sleeping outside in the freezing winter forest made her long for a warm bath at home.
After some time walking, they finally came across a small town, just as Happy said. Lucy smiled at the warmer and jovial atmosphere. This town seemed just like any old quaint town in Fiore. She didn't want to dwell on the memories of home too long, otherwise she'd make herself homesick, so she kept an eye out for the place Happy mentioned as they strolled through town. The pair stopped in front of what Lucy assumed to be a bar.
A voice spoke from behind. "Are you two here for the tea party?" They turned around to see Makarov! Natsu and Lucy stared at each other with wide eyes.
"Grammph!"
"Tea party?" Lucy interrupted, slapping a hand over Natsu's mouth. She was shocked to see Makarov too, but you can't call a stranger Gramps!
"Yes, we sell the finest tea here!" He gestured to the bar and winked. Makarov was wearing a tall hat and buttoned white shirt. His mustache was even longer than the Master's, although he was still the same height.
Lucy smiled apologetically. "Sorry, we're looking for a ba-"
"Tea house? You've come to the right place!" He pushed both Natsu and Lucy inside with superhuman strength and shut the door behind them. He frantically checked the windows for something then turned to scold them.
"Damn kids! You can't say the b-word out there!"
"Bar?" Natsu asked.
"We're not really from around here..."
Makarov sighed. "Fine." He led them further into the tea house, which was actually empty, and past some curtains. The quiet tea house became a noisy bar, full of shouting men and laughing women. Finally, something she was used to. The two took a seat at the bar.
"The Knight Erza, also known as Lady Titania, is the one watching over this town. She cares about the kingdom's people and she's very strong... but also happens to dislike alcohol. It's not out rightly prohibited but if she's patrolling the streets and spots you drinking..." Makarov gulped, not bothering to explain further. Natsu and Lucy got the picture, remembering their own Erza back home and Edolas' Erza Knightwalker.
"Is every town being watched by knights?" Natsu asked.
Makarov nodded solemnly. "Yes, every member of the Fairy Tail Court save for the Golden Knight is watching over a certain area of the kingdom. It's been pretty tense around here lately, especially with the recent rumors." The Golden Knight? That must be her other self, Lucy thought. She twirled a lock of her hair between her fingers, admiring its color. She was clearly high ranking, but...
"The Fairy Tail Court?" What exactly was this group that bore their precious guild's name?
"The kingdom's top ten knights, with the Golden Knight Lucy being number one. Erza is second in command. That's why I am grateful to have her here but," Makarov gave up his serious demeanor and yelled, "I love drinking!"
"Yeah!" The bar cheered at his proclamation, raising their drinks to the ceiling. Natsu and Lucy exchanged a nervous glance.
"If it's Erza..."
"Then it can't be helped."
Makarov left them alone to chat with some patrons who just walked in. "Spot anything?" She asked.
"No but," Natsu sniffed the air, "I think there may be some people here we know." He got up from his seat and led them around the bar. Lucy held on to him by his sleeve. This place was bigger and more crowded than it seemed at first glance, and she didn't want to be separated again. That's what she told herself as he reached for her hand.
In the corner was a mysterious woman at a table, covered in a long purple-blue shawl and glittering jewelry. Only her lower face and hands could be seen, with curled, dark locks of hair peeking out under the shawl. She smiled mischievously. Her long nails tapped a simple rhythm on the table, and from her left hand she produced a pack of cards. She placed the stack face down.
"Questions about the future, or maybe the past? Curiosity brought you here, or maybe fate. The cards have all the answers." Her speech was slightly slurred and slow.
Ah. A fortune teller. Lucy looked at Natsu for his thoughts, and he shrugged. So they both sat down in front of her as she shuffled her cards.
"What would you like to know?"
What wouldn't she like to know? First of all, she wanted a way home, but she was also curious about this world. What was with the rumors? Who was the King of Diamonds? The Queen of Hearts? The other suits? Where were the rest of the Fairy Tail members? As these thoughts swirled around in her head, Natsu answered for them.
"Well, we're kind of stuck. We don't know what to do." He said.
The sounds of the bar faded into the background. The chime of a bell sounded in unison with the fortune teller's eyes glowing white behind the cloth. A third spot glowed even brighter above her eyes. She placed three cards down, then turned one face up.
"The Lovers." Natsu shifted in his seat. "Choices, sacrifices. These might be one and the same, but it's not all bad. Inner turmoil over your relationships was dealt with through reflection. Before you acted, you considered everything thoroughly. Now things are changing. For better or for worse," she chuckled, "that's up to you."
She flipped the next card over. Lucy grimaced at the name of the card. "The Hanged Man. Just as before, you've arrived at a crossroads again, outside of your field of influence. This difficult position may seem hopeless, but if you're careful you will prevail. You need a fresh perspective. Once you learn to 'go with the flow' and relinquish your desire for control of the situation, you will overcome this challenge."
Her eyes dimmed slightly as she turned over the third and final card. "Justice. Finally, all the decisions you've made intersect at this point. Will you remain true to yourself, and fight for what is right? Or selfishly seek to save your own skin? Once you make this important decision, justice will be served."
Regardless of their choice, justice will be served? Or was she saying that the choice they will inevitably make lead to justice? These cards... they were describing the past, present, and future weren't they?
Lucy stared into the Hanged Man's eyes, unnervingly realistic. It's true that she was becoming increasingly frustrated with this situation. They had no idea what they were doing, and she just wanted to find a way back home. If she relaxed and "went with the flow" instead, she was apparently going to find some answers. But what did that mean, exactly? Should they aimlessly walk around hoping to literally bump into a way home?
The sounds of the bar slowly came back. Her eyes returned to normal as she reorganized her cards.
"Thank you, Cana." Natsu said. Cana, huh? The fortune teller gave them a thumbs up and a smile as they stood up to leave. Maybe she knew their identity through her divination? Due to her slurred speech and magic cards, she thought that maybe this Cana wasn't too different to their own Cana Alberona back home.
Natsu sniffed the air again. "I also thought..."
"Ha! Stealing backpacks now, Macao?" Lucy turned to see Macao and Wakaba at a table, drinking and poking at a green knapsack.
"Shut up! This'll teach that cat to mess with me." Macao laughed.
Although they were trying to be inconspicuous, Natsu's protective nature and love for Happy launched him forward. He slammed his fist on the table, shocking Macao and Wakaba who were snickering about stealing the bag. His sunglasses fell off as he rushed forward.
"Bastard! That bag doesn't belong to you!"
Before Lucy could call out to him and tell him to calm down, his palm lit up in flames. Some of the customers nearby gasped, others whispered among themselves. Worst of all, his scarf came loose, collapsing at his neck and exposing his spiky pink hair. To a drunk's eyes, it seemed as if the Prince was right before them. The shock didn't last long before Natsu amped up the heat of his flames. Macao glowered at Natsu, sweat already starting to bead on his forehead, and pulled out a long blade.
"Who the f- hey, he's the one on the poster! That girl too!" He shouted. Damn it Natsu, always getting her caught up in his fights! Wakaba and the rest of their entourage pulled out various weapons and began to charge up their magic.
"Natsu! Let's get out of here!"
He snatched Happy's knapsack and they pushed their way to the bar's exit, only to be met by some rough looking mages. They had no space to fight in, and unlike Natsu she didn't want to wreck the bar. She prepared herself for hand to hand combat, grateful that at least she was still wearing Capricorn's Star Dress, which enhanced her skills. She took a fighting stance, wondering how they would steal back the bag and escape.
Before any actual fighting could happen, someone slammed the door open, pushing aside everyone in the way.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
"Crap." Natsu squeaked.
Who could it be? ;)