Here we are with another chapter, took me longer than I wanted to spend on it. But we're finally here. I've also decided to try something and reply to your comments, the replies will be down below after the chapter ends. I thought it would be good interaction, I guess? But your comments are always appreciated. If you guys ever wanna ask questions about this story then go ahead, you can either ask here or over at my Tumblr (it's notsofullbuster by the way). Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy!
"Did you see how cool that move was..." Ryō rambled on aimlessly, like he had done hours later after the epic showdown of the dragon slayers. He was still riding on that high, the kind of high you got after you'd seen your favourite performer live. It was a high which pumped you full of energy, a buzzing excitement which never simmered down until hours later. The type of high what would keep you awake all night, only to let you penultimately crash in the post-show sadness.
Lucy knew it was only a matter of time before the sadness made it's way back to the young boy. His stoic face what reminded her so much of the shadow dragon slayer, yet underneath she knew he was hurting. He never expressed it, yet Lucy knew that within time it would become too much for him, and he'd end up exploding. Slowly, day by day, that sorrow would turn into hatred.
That this hatred would consume him, misguiding him along the path of life. That he would end up just like his father; destructive, heartless, merciless, unfeeling. Lucy refused to let him turn out that way, she won't allow him fall down that path. She had made his mother a promise —something they had done before she had died, a pact of sorts if anything was to ever happen to her— that she would do everything in her power to keep Ryō from turning into the monster his father had become.
Hence her plan, the plan to change the course of the future before it headed down the dark world that she had already lived in. It was no place for a child, he didn't deserve this way of life what had been given to him. Sure, he was alive but he wasn't living. He was just merely existing, just like herself. Lucy knew that Ryō was only alive because of his father's plans, that the man only wanted his son for his magic power. The boy was an heir, a heir to a world what had taken his mothers life, along with everyone he held near and dear to him. Lucy also knew it was only a matter of time until he showed up, knowing that he was lurking in the darkness. He wanted his son back, and he'd wait until the perfect time to claim him back.
Everyone they ever had no longer lived, and this plan was Using the Eclipse gate was her only option, granted she was uncertain how people in this present time would react to someone from the future she had to try. However there were no room for mistakes, she knew that. For Ryō. For herself. For humanity.
"It was so cool! And then unc-I mean, Nat— Lu?" Ryō spoke, his voice breaking the blonde out her thoughts. She glanced down at him with the hint of a smile, "Are you okay, Lu?" he questioned, halting as he peered up at her, eyes shining brightly.
"Yeah, sorry. I'm okay," she nodded, trying her best to reassure the child. It was a lie, but she didn't want him questioning her any further. Lucy hated lying to him, always taking the honest route with him. That's how his parents had been, always open with him when he had a question. He was inquisitive, more so than any other child, always had been. Always asking the 'what ifs' and 'how comes' of life, which reminded her that his father was— or had been, the same way.
Ryō was mid-sentence when his posture froze up, eyes widening as he inhaled deeply. That scent...it was familiar. Too familiar. He took several small sniffs before shooting off at a fast pace, leaving Lucy to blink owlishly before trailing after him.
What is it with this boy and running away?
"Ryō? Ryō?!" Lucy panted as she came to a halt, glancing all around as she tried to determine which route he had taken after losing him in a backstreet which went one of three ways. "Not again..." she huffed, mentally cursing herself out for losing the boy yet again in the same day.
"Halt!"
The blondes eyes widened at the voice what boomed behind her, back straight as she stood still. She knew this was going to happen eventually, but she couldn't be caught now, not when Ryō was wandering around alone in the city. Taking a deep breath, she started running in attempts to not only find the missing boy, but to also lose this mystery person who was on her trail.
Kagura sighed as she leant back in the arm chair reading over the note Yukino had left. It was a simple thank you and how she was indebted to the swords-woman for extending help towards her. There were no words on where she had disappeared to, which made Kagura hope that she was safe.
Placing the note back on the desk, her mind reeled off to today's events at the Grand Magic Games, a small smirk tugging at her lips as she recalled the defeat of Sabertooth. She had to hand it to Natsu, she didn't expect him to pull through like he did. Kagura took note to send him a thank-you gift, maybe some flowers. Then again, would a dragon slayer even appreciate flowers? She mulled over it, wondering what exactly the Fairy Tail mage would like.
Ugh, Fairy Tail.
Her mood soon soured at the mention of the guild's name, knowing that the guild was harbouring a killer and no one had taken notice, not once. The the one who had enslaved him in completing the Tower of Heaven, the one who had been responsible for her brother's death. The one responsible for all of her heartbreak and misery and the one she swore to kill.
Jellal Fernandes.
Her jaw tensed as his name came to mind, replaying the day she had glanced his way when leaving after the third day of the Games.
Stomach lurching, bile rising in her throat Kagura placed her hand over her mouth as her eyes widened in shock. No, it couldn't be. She felt her body tremble as her legs gave way, sinking to her knees as she struggled to get ahold of herself.
"Kagura?!"
"Is she okay? What happened?"
"Is there a doctor around? Somebody? Anybody?!"
Her team mates voices echoed but she was too far gone, making them seem so far away. All she could focus on the face that glanced her way, as he was surrounded by Rune Knights from the Magic Council. How could he be here? Last time she had heard he was in prison, how had he escaped? She risked a look through the crowd at him, noticing his clothing.
Then it clicked.
He was the one who fought against Jura Neekis from Lamia Scale, yet had kept his face hidden from the crowds and posed as a man named Mystogan. He had bypassed the council posing as another person and it had worked. He had everyone fooled, and Fairy Tail had to play a part in it. They had to of known who exactly this man was and what he had done, they were harbouring an escaped convict.
"There has to be a doctor around somewhe—" Millianna's eyes widened as she glanced at the convict, knowing instantly that he was the sole reason for Kagura's sudden turn.
She, like Kagura's brother Simon had been enslaved in the Tower of Heaven. One of the few who blindly followed Jellal in helping him finish building the tower, only to be then informed on what he was going to do with it. Millianna felt ashamed, saddened that she had somewhat worshiped him to guide her to the path of light, only to realise she was a pawn in his sick, twisted games.
Fortunately, with Wally and Shô she had managed to escaped with the help from the Fairy Tail mage's. However she had heard about Simon's sacrifice, leaving her grieving for one of her best friends. Now she had a new life, a life at Mermaid Heel and out of all the times he decided to show up here?
"That bastard!" Millianna growled, lunging forward only to be held back by a hand what grabbed her wrist. Blinking, she glanced down at Kagura, noting she was the one who had stopped her from attacking the man behind her best friend's pain. "Kagura.."
"Don't. Please."
The brunette's eyes widened at the vulnerability in Kagura's voice, shocked to hear a woman who oozed self-confidence and certainty sound so...distressed. "But Kag—"
"It's fine, Millianna." Kagura spoke, trying to regain stability in her voice and regain some form of dignity as she stood back up, bracing herself on Millianna for extra support. "I'm okay." she added with a nod, glancing around at her team mates before walking away.
Kagura felt tense, rubbing her temple as she felt a pounding headache coming along. She needed a breather. Grabbing her blazer she headed out for a walk, hoping the cool air would help to clear her mind. To free herself from thinking about Jellal, yet all she could think about was him. The swords-woman knew she had to come up with a plan, she needed her revenge and he was right under her. This was the time to act, she couldn't let him slip away after the Magic Games ended. The sooner his blood was stained on the blade of Archenemy, the quicker she could let go of the notion knowing that he was roaming around freely without a care in the world.
Sooner or later, Jellal Fernandes was going to end up dead and for some sick, sadistic reason, it bought nothing but sheer satisfaction to her that she was going to be the sole reason behind his demise.
"Hey, Kagura!"
Kagura blinked several times, broken out of her reverie to see Natsu, along with what she assumed some of his friends and guild mates. "Oh, hello Natsu." she greeted him back. She glanced at the group, noting the blonde who had been victim to Minerva's attack during the Harbour War match. "I see you're looking better than you did after that match."
Lucy smiled solemnly, "Yeah, I'm okay. But it's thanks to Wendy and her healing I'm out and about so soon." she glanced at the young bluenette who was mumbling off 'it was nothing' as she hid her blush behind her hand. Ever so modest, Wendy. "I must say, you was amazing in your match against Yukino yesterday." the blonde added.
"No kidding, you cut down that snake like it was nothing." the one with short, dark hair added.
Kagura wanted to thank them for their kind compliments, yet bringing up Yukino stopped her from doing so. "Hn." she replied simply. She didn't intend to shrug them off and come off as rude, so she hurried in extending her words. "Thank you. Lucy is it?" The blonde celestial wizard nodded, shooting her a smile. She then shifted her gaze to the man who stood beside Natsu.
"Gray. Gray Fullbuster."
The Mermaid Heel ace nodded. Clearing her throat she glanced back at Natsu, "By the way, nice victory over Sabertooth today. Almost thought you didn't have it for a moment."
"Ah, it was nothing." Natsu shrugged her off, rubbing at the nape of his neck. "I mean, it felt somewhat satisfactory. Especially after...well, you know..."
Kagura nodded in understanding, knowing that part of his victory over the Twin Dragon's of Sabertooth was for Yukino. He didn't have to say it out loud, the look he gave her alone was enough to tell her. "Thank you." she muttered, shooting the dragon slayer a hint of a small smile.
"Look, I don't mean to be rude here but we got somewhere to be." the tall one who stood off from the side grumbled out, shooting them all a glare.
"Don't be rude!"
"Shut up, blondie!"
"Don't shout at Lucy, you heap of trash!" Natsu growled.
"You wanna fucking go, flame brain? I've got a bone to pick with you as it is!" the long haired man replied, butting heads with Natsu.
Kagura blinked, unable to believe that these two men were the ones who beat the two dragon slayers from Sabertooth. The two men were currently on the floor wrestling with one another.
"Eh, sorry about them." Lucy laughed uncomfortably as she watched the two men brawl on the floor like a pair of children. Granted this was nothing new to the Fairy Tail guild, if anything Lucy had gotten used to it, but it was still embarrassing when they fought in public. Especially in front of Kagura! Oh gosh, I bet she think's we're absolutely crazy! Lucy sighed, knowing that her reputation for associating with the man children was tarnished. There goes ever trying to befriend the Mermaid Heel mage..
Gray shook his head, tutting at their behaviour. "I swear we're not all stupid and barbaric as those two idiots." he gestured towards Natsu and Gajeel.
"What was that?! Better watch I don't shove a iron pole up your ass!"
"Yeah! Who you calling barbaric? Ice for brains!"
"Okay, that's it!" Gray jumped in the scuffle, causing Lucy to face palm.
"I think I'm gonna..." Kagura slowly backed away.
Lucy didn't blame her from wanting to get away from the insanity that is the Fairy Tail guild. Take me with you, she mentally pleaded. "Good idea. Goodbye!"
"You! Stop right there!"
Lucy's eyes widened, recognising the voice echoing throughout the alleyways of Crocus. She knew that voice. It was one rather familiar to her, one who had helped her greatly back in her time to protect the young boy who was currently missing. He was the one who died, the one who used himself to bait out the boy's father and his hoard of dragons so she could get the boy away from his father's harm. He gave them time to run away and find some form of safe place.
Could he be of assistance now?
She came to a halt, noting she was at a point which overlooked the city of Crocus. It was a sight to behold, especially when it didn't look this way from the time period she came from. The only thing what bloomed in that flower populated capital was the destruction, the dragon's destroying every single building the city once had.
"I'll reveal my identity if you do the same."
Lucy turned around in time to see him take off his hat and pull down the scarf to reveal his face. It was him. Jellal Fernandes. She gasped, thankful that she was correct in remembering his voice.
"Now, if you don't mind can you—" he froze, eyes wide as the hooded figure pushed back the hood to reveal their face. There was no way...it couldn't be! He stepped back a few times, mouth agape as he took in their appearance.
Blonde hair, brown eyes, a face he recognised all too easily.
"Lu-Lucy?"
Oooooh, the plot thickens! Not really, but kinda. Ha. But on with the replies!
Amandineylan:Thank you so much! Same, Rogura is my favourite crackship which doesn't get enough appreciation. The fan art warms my heart, especially the one with Frosch in it too! Just thought I'd contribute to the greatness that could be Rogura, and no, thank you for taking your time to read this. It's appreciated! (:
Mira D. Blackjack: Trust me, I can't wait to write out those Rogura and Ryō moments too. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the next chapter.. ^_^
WaterNinja1092: All those predictions! Could Future!Rogue really do that to his own child? Who knows. We'll soon find out! Thank you for all your wonderful comments, they're greatly appreciated and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. (: