Here's chapter two! Hope you enjoy. :)
Lucy could see the distorted daybreak sky. It looked like an abstract painting with beautiful hues of mild pink, pale purple, fiery orange, and cloudy blue. Lucy couldn't help but smile. The sight of the sky never failed to bring her comfort. Lucy rested her chin on her knees and stared at the glossy screen of colors the refreshing sound of running water humming in her ears.
The morning was cool, especially behind the cold water of the spring. The chilled damp air smelt invigorating. She would gladly stay there forever if she could, but she couldn't stay in one place for too long, or else she'd be found. Lucy was prepared to emerge from behind the waterfall when she heard voices murmuring. Lucy sunk deeper into the cave and listened to the voices.
"You look terrible, flame-brain. Did you get any sleep?" A voice laughed. The voice was deep but infused with amiable amusement.
"Shut up, ice princess. It's one of your business." A second voice grumbled with light-hearted annoyance. There was a playful growl type sound in the voice that Lucy found peculiar. The voice dripped with mellow optimism that Lucy hadn't heard in a long while. The liveliness of the voices was foreign to Lucy, yet brightened her if only the slightest bit.
"I know what'll wake you up." The first voice said mischievously. Lucy heard a splash. An unclear vision of someone falling into the water showed through the waterfall. There was a jolly chuckling sound that lasted for a long moment. Lucy nearly giggled herself before smuggling the urge quickly.
"You little-frozen shit! I'll get you for that!" The second voice shouted. It was meant to sound angry, but there was laughed in it. Lucy almost snickered once more but managed to only give out a small snuffle. She watched as the distorted man pulled the other into the water.
The two shouted and wrestled. Huge spurts of water shot all over. Lucy was genuinely amused, she had to admit.
"Gray! Look what I found!" the second voice exclaimed suddenly popping from the water. The figure held up something small in his hand rather triumphantly.
"A key! Dude, score!" The first voice exclaimed happily. Lucy's eyes widened and she examined her keys. All of them were still there. They must've discovered a new one. "What's that little moon and star mean?"
"Not sure but it's still a key. I don't care what kind." The second voice said enthusiastically.
"But, Natsu, don't we need a Key Keeper to even use one." The voices became farther away as a closer sound filled Lucy's ears.
Lucy heard a growling noise behind her. She turned her head around slowly to see two glowing red eyes. Lucy yelped and backed away from the cave.
"Oi, you hear that?" Natsu asked. The two figures trudged toward the waterfall. Lucy had run into quite a predicament. She pulled out her dagger and held it up to the serpent-like creature. Her hands shook as she held the small dagger tightly. Lucy gulped as the creature came towards her. Its large sparkling amber eyes were tantalizing but piercing. Lucy squeezed her eyes closed in fear, her dagger held shakily in the air. Her backed neared the waterfall and she threatened to fall backward.
Two arms grabbed her waist and pulled her through the waterfall and butt first into the water. Lucy called out a surprised yelp. The water was freezing, but the arms were strangely warm. The arms dragged her out of the water and onto the shore. Lucy's eyes widened as she frantically checked her sides for her keys. They were still safely attached to her side. She loosened a bit but tensed up again as the large creature emerged from the waterfall. She hadn't realized how large the thing was. The look of the thing gave her chills.
Two guys stood in the water side by side, old dull swords pointed up at the creature. One had pink hair that now clung to his head, the other black hair. Lucy watched horrified as the creature came at the one with pink hair. The guy swung the sword at the creature and a large cut was made on its neck. Dark blood oozed from it. Lucy's stomach turned, but not with fear. Instead, it was excitement. The guy moved quite handsomely. She was surprised the dull sword was able to cut that deep, but she figured it wasn't the sword, but the person wielding it that mattered. And that guy must be pretty strong.
The creature attacked away, faster, and the pink-haired guy dodged just barely, while the other swung his sword through the same cut, going all the way through the creature, killing it. Lucy was very impressed, but she'd marvel over it to herself later. She scrambled to her feet, prepared to hurry away when the two men looked at her.
"What were you doing in there?" The pink-haired boy asked. Lucy didn't answer, remembering her maid's instructions and her own fears. She gripped her keys tightly refusing to say a word. The boys looked at each other and raised their eyebrows. The black-haired one disappeared under water for a moment and popped back up with her dagger in hand.
"Heads up." The dark-haired boy called, tossing the knife over to her, aiming slightly to her right side. The knife landed three feet away. Lucy's snatched it quickly and got to her feet.
"I must be going now," Lucy mumbled keeping her head down. Her heart beat so loudly that she couldn't hear her own words. Lucy began to walk away from them. Hopefully, they didn't know who she was.
"Wow, not even a thank you? We just saved your life." The pink-haired one called. Lucy stopped and clenched her teeth guiltily. After a moment of thought, she reached into the sopping pouch of money. She took out two coins add tossed them to the two guys without looking back. She continued walking. Her clothes clung to her uncomfortably.
Natsu and Gray stood baffled at the spring. The girl disappeared into the woods. Natsu tried to ignore the way her clothes clung to her body, revealing every utterly attractive curve.
"What a weird girl." Natsu laughed scratching his wet hair. Gray nodded in agreement.
"What was she doing in the waterfall, anyway,"
"Good question," Natsu stated pondering the possibilities for a moment. He quickly dismissed the girl and grinned wildly. "But, hey, we got a key! We're one step closer to becoming the best. I know it." Natsu exclaimed happily. Though it felt like he was just searching for an excuse to be hopeful. Gray shook his head. When he did so, several drops of water dripped from his dark hair.
"Yeah, yeah. You'll get any excuse to say that flame-brain." Natsu frowned slightly but didn't deny his words. Without any further conversation about either matter, the duo began walking back to their camp.
Natsu shifted in his soaking pants uncomfortably. Then, biting his curiously, observed the silver key. The key was lined with a light blue, the end that you'd insert into the lock was shaped like wings. He fiddled with it for a moment before shoving the key into his pocket.
Natsu and Gray approached the make-shift camp. Several mats were spread across a large clearing. Several clothes were hung up in either tent form or as substitutes for a wall. In the center was a large fireplace that glowed brightly at night. Their guildmates were all busy doing various things. And as usual, Wendy saw them first and grinned happily.
"Natsu and Gray are back! Did you find anything cool!" Wendy asked. She always had a bubbly enthusiasm that couldn't help but rub off on you. Gray shook his head no, but Natsu bobbed his up and down excitedly. Natsu shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out the silver key.
"See! We found a key!" Natsu exclaimed. Wendy's eyes widened with wonder and she leaned forward towards the shiny trinket. The others didn't look impressed.
"But no Key Keeper." Laxus pointed out dully. This made Wendy frown.
"That's not exactly true! There was this weird girl that we saved from a cave serpent. She could've been a Key Keeper. We don't for sure." Natsu argued, realizing how stupid he sounded, but not wanting to see Wendy upset.
"Natsu, stop giving us false hope. At this rate, we'll never find a Key Keeper." Erza's frown was like a chain reaction as the others face dimmed suddenly. Gajeel, Cana, Levy, Laxus, and Elfman nodded. Gray crossed his arms and looked somewhere off into the woods. Mira and Wendy wore the deepest frowns.
"Come on, guys," Mira said. "We'll find someone. We just can't give up." Mira assured them, but not sounding too convinced herself. They looked at her with the same doubtful expression she wore.
"I'm starting to feel that's not the case," Natsu mumbled sadly. Wendy began visibly smaller. Her shoulders slumped and her lips were pressed into a violent glower.
"How about this then," Mira offered. "You go into town today and ask around for a Key Keeper. If you don't find one then we know for sure it wasn't meant to be and Fairy Tale will disband for good." Mira said with a seemingly genuine smile plastered on her lips.
"This is pointless, Mira." Cana spat slapping her hands on her hips. Wendy looked at Natsu for validation.
"Fine, Mira," Natsu said. "If you're that sure."
"I am! You should be to Natsu. I have a wonderful intuition. You guys will see." Mira grinned warmly. Wendy smiled too. All the uncertainty seemed to be drained out of Mira somehow. The others weren't convinced at all. They shook their heads in doubt. Natsu sighed and began to head to town without looking at their pitiful expressions.
Lucy moped under a tree. Her clothes hung up on its branches to dry. She wore only her bra and underwear. She hoped no one would come and find her like this. That would surely be the end of her. She was relieved those two idiots that saved her had no clue who she was or knew about her valuable keys. Surely, if they were that excited about one silver key they'd do anything for thirteen gold ones. Lucy cradled her knees to her breasts and rested her cheek on her folded arms in thought.
Maybe Lucy was being too quick to judge. But she had to be that way. She had to avoid people at all costs because they surely couldn't be trusted. Luckily, she would never have to find out as she'd never see them again. She was grateful that they saved her beside everything else. She was pretty impressed by their strength and teamwork and the way they moved was more than mesmerizing.
Lucy decided to take a nap, even though she wasn't particularly tired. She terribly bored though and sleeping made it easy to pass time while her clothes dried.
Lucy returned to her old home. The woods reached out to her, the branches attempting to grab her. She tripped over her feet. Her keys were clenched tightly in her hand and she constantly looked down at them to make sure they were there. She reached the lot where her house was supposed to be but instead there was the rubble of a burned down mansion. In the midst of the charred remains of Lucy's house there laid her father's corpse and her maids. Their bodies were grotesquely charred and shriveled. Lucy fell to her knees. She clenched her stomach and pushed away the feelings of nausea that was developing. Tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes. She hugged herself trying to become smaller. Crowds of people came towards her screaming her name. The crowd surrounded her and left her with nowhere to escape. They ripped the keys from her hands and kicked her. They kicked and kicked and kicked until they got bored and left her hurt, helpless, and alone. Her body throbbed inside and out. The pain was very very real. Lucy called out for her mother. But of course, she didn't come. Lucy became completely empty and fragile and slowly crumbled into dust whilst the wind swept her away.
Lucy woke up shaking, dry tears on her cheeks. She shook off the remnants of the dream and rubbed her face quickly. She checked to make sure her keys were still at her side. She clutched them protectively when she found them and held her hand there for a while. Lucy got up and changed back into her clothes that were now only slightly damp. The sun was high in the sky. It was mid-afternoon.
Lucy pulled the hood of the cloak over her head and walked in the direction of town. She needed to get supplies is she was going to live in the woods. Lucy's stomach grumbled and she had to pee. Reluctantly, she decided to pee hidden behind a tree. She finished her business and tried to wipe with a leaf. With a sigh of frustration, she pulled her pants back up and continued in the direction of the next town.
The town was quite lively, which was both a pro and a con for Lucy. She was able to blend in with the crowd, but there were more people to see her face. She gulped every time someone looked her way and kept her head down as much as she could. She wished she could take in the city, but of course, that wasn't possible. She wasn't sure she'd ever be able to.
Lucy grabbed a basket and made her way to a market selling bread, vegetables, and fruits. She grabbed two loaves of bread, four apples, a bunch of carrots, and three oranges. She gave the money the cashier and thanked them quietly. She ate an apple right away to stop her grumbling stomach. It felt like she hadn't eaten in forever, and it was so juicy and sweet that Lucy felt she could've eaten ten. She smiled satisfied.
Lucy spotted a clothing store and went inside. She tried desperately to only focus on the things she needed and not to go overboard. She picked out a pair of boots, a dark red skirt, a black crop top, and an extra pair of underwear. She didn't bother trying anything on, which may or may not come back to kick her in her ass. It was extremely hard not to peruse around the shops some more, but Lucy withheld.
She sighed with relief again as she successfully made it out of the store. So far so good. Finally, she walked to a weapon store. She figured she needed a little more than a dagger to protect herself, plus the two boys from before inspired her a bit. She walked into the store. She noticed a man looking at some silver celestial keys and one gold one that was well protected by bulletproof glass. It was insanely expensive. Even so, Lucy was tempted to get a closer look at them. A black whip caught Lucy's eye, but that would certainly bring her unwanted attention so she dismissed it. Lucy found a weapon called a Glaive, which had a long silver blade and a short handle. In the blade was carved a bunch of ancient texts, the handle was simple and wrapped in leather. She held it. It wasn't too heavy. She lightly swung it around.
"Looks a little too big for you." A voice from behind her stand. She turned around quickly to see a stranger staring back at her. The stranger lifted an eyebrow and then their eyes widened with excited meant.
"Lucy Heartfilia! The one with the Celestial Keys!" The man shouted. The customers in the weapon shop turned their heads and looked at her with greedy eyes. After a short moment of shocked hesitation, Lucy dropped the weapon and began to run. The customers in the weapons shop, and well as the workers chased after her. She pushed through the crowd of people, mumbling sorry.
"Stop that girl! Stop Lucy Heartfilia!" The pursuers shouted. The people that recognized the name began to chase after her too. Lucy's heart raced with panic. She ditched her basket so she could run faster. By now her cloak hood had fallen off. Lucy tried hard not to cry. She forced her legs to move faster as the people began to gain on her.
"Leave me alone!" She cried out in frustration. They didn't listen. Of course, they didn't listen. They were greedy. They didn't care what happened to her as long as they got the keys. She wouldn't let them. She willed her legs forward.
Someone grabbed her arm and yanked her hard to the side. Lucy stumbled as the arm continued to drag her. She looked at the culprit and recognized the pink hair. He peeked from the side of the wall and pushed Lucy farther down the alley.
"She went that way and turned right" The pink haired guy called pointing ahead of them. The hoard of people ran the direction he pointed. "I don't know what you did. But come with me if you don't want to get caught." The guy told her. Lucy nodded reluctantly and followed the pink haired guy through the alley. She was out of breath and didn't know any better options. Plus, for some reason she couldn't place, she trusted him.
They made it into the woods where they both relaxed a bit. They still ran as Lucy followed him through the woods.
The two stopped at a camp set up. The pink-haired man's friends greeted him happily. Lucy immediately felt out of place with the friendly crowd of people but didn't let it show.
"Natsu! You're back early! Is that a Key Keeper!" A small girl with blue hair said excitedly. The others looked at them with hopeful looks. Lucy recognized the man with black hair who gave them a knowing scowl. Natsu frowned timidly.
"No. You see—" Natsu began to explain. Lucy interrupted him. She wasn't sure what willed her to do this. It just slipped out. She was thankful for the pink haired idiot and he truly didn't know anything about her keys. She saw how everyone's excited faces turned grim. These were good people. They must be. Lucy said to herself.
"Actually. I am. In fact, I've got five silver keys." Lucy smiled weakly. She felt bad for lying to them about what key's she had but she felt it was for the best. She shouldn't even be telling them she's a Key Keeper. The black haired guy gave Lucy a confused and intrigued look. Lucy reached into her pouch on her belt and pulled out two random silver keys. "See?" She proved to them. Their faces lit up. Natsu looked at her with an amazed look. The small girl ran to her and gave her a hug.
"Thank you for deciding to help us!" She beamed. Lucy hugged the girl back after a small hesitation, a pleased smile on her face. But she couldn't help shake the feeling she'd made a horribly stupid mistake.
"Why wouldn't I? Two of you saved my life. It would be the least I could do." Lucy grinned a grin that was only half genuine. Even so, a huge weight was lifted off of her. These were good people. She couldn't really explain how she knew, but she did. Fate must've brought them together. Lucy wasn't about to go against fate.
Hope you liked it! Thank you for taking the time to read!
Review so I can improve my content!
Have a lovely day :)
Edited and Refined: 01/29/2018
