I'm sorry it took sooooo long to get this up, I haven't had a computer for about 7 months, but thank you all for continuing to read this story! Its a lot of thinking again, but still has plenty of plot.

Disclaimer: I don't own this show.

Ghosts of the past

They were in the middle of fighting the Neo Oration Cease and Natsu was quite concerned with helping Lucy get over her guilt or losing her fathers last momentum to her, and he knew how she felt because he would feel the same way if he ever lost his scarf, but he couldn't shake this other feeling. After comforting her, he went outside to think for a while... He knew there was something else there, he just wasn't sure what he was sensing exactly.

Off in the distance

The spirit of Mavis was watching the events that had taken place, and keeping an extra eye on the girl in question: Lucy Heartfilia. She wondered if the girl had more to do with this then she thought, it was clear that the enemy was keeping a close eye on her.

While she was pondering what might happen next, she saw Natsu Dragneel walk out of the guild. She watched him go over the the wooded area near where she was, and began to wonder if he was looking for someone, or rather, something. He kept sniffing around, like he wasn't sure what he was looking for, and then he suddenly collapsed like something had struck him.

She dared to float a little closer to see what was wrong, but couldn't make sense of what she was seeing. He was holding his head rolling around on the ground some, like there was and invader in his mind.

She crept closer so she can try to look into his heart, and she couldn't believe what she was seeing when she took a peek inside. Old images, memories maybe, of a powerful dragon, one she most certainly recognized, and what seemed to be lessons. But what startled her the most was that she saw an all too familiar face, Zeref. Even though the face was covered by a partial mask, she still recognized his voice and his presence. Though in the memories he was kind, she knew it was only because of what the boy meant to him.

The boy's memories were hazy to him, but they were clear in her eyes. The boy was obviously struggling to make them clear, to make sense of what he was seeing, and it was hurting him mentally because of his memories being so old, they didn't line up with his sense of time anymore. It would happen to anyone who lived for so long but had a sudden time discrepancy. It may be because of the Infinity clock pieces that his memories are starting to re-surface, thus effecting his perception of time in the past. That's why he was in pain; his mind is being pulled two different directions. In short, he's experiencing what the world might experience once the clock is resembled. But because of his sudden cut off from immortality when he was younger, he was experiencing it sooner and in a much more painful way.

At least this is what she assumed. She knew he was such a kind boy, but she still had a slight hatred in her heart because of what she knew was in his future. 'Hmmmm... I feel so bad for you Natsu. You are such a kind and innocent soul, and I'm so happy that you are a proud member of Fairy Tail, but you cannot stay here forever. You have a terrible destiny, one in which you will cause those you love, and yourself, much heartache. I only wish, I could change it. I wish you didn't hold the position that you secretly hold in this world. But, alas it is as it is. I couldn't convince Igneel otherwise. I wonder where he is now, if he could see what a happy life you currently had was, if he would maybe change his mind.'

She thought as she watched him wither in agony.

She decided she would do the most she could right now to help him, and touched his forehead with her fingertips. As the light spread from her fingertips to his head, he started to relax. As she put the memories to sleep, she heard him whisper incoherently: "Mr. Wizard. Don't go, I'm scared. Dad, why did he have ….to go. Can't he stay? Who... who are you?" She wasn't sure about that last one, until she saw his eyes open and look directly at her. She was surprised that he could see her without he wanting to be seen. She quickly took her hand away from him, and made herself disappear. She scolded herself for getting so close in the first place, but she was partially happy she could be of some help.

She watched from afar once more, as the boy sat up and rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up. He looked around and when he was sure no one was there, got up and stretched and started to head back to the guild. The little blue cat met him outside and asked what he was doing, which he only replied that he was taking a nice quite nap. Though she knew that was a lie, she wondered if the boy remembered anything of what actually happened.

Back with Natsu

He knew Happy didn't buy his fake smile, but he just pushed past him and went inside for some food. He was still thinking about what he had dreamed about. He knew it wasn't a dream, but that's the only thing that seemed to make his head hurt less. Everything was soo hazy, like an unclear photo. But he couldn't shake the feeling that it was important to him. And then what was that light he saw when he woke up? He wasn't sure, but he knew he saw and felt the warmth of someones hand on his head. It had stopped the weird dream, and he wanted to thank the person.

Happy was staring at him again, and he knew he was thinking too hard again. "Come on, buddy, don't look at me like that, we've got to get this food down before everyone sets off." He tried for an easy going smile, but Happy wasn't that dumb. Natsu had been spacing out like this more often these days. He wasn't sure why, but it was clearly getting worse the more they got involved with the clock.

"Why are you thinking so hard? It's not like you. I'm just worried." Happy said, with a half eaten fish in his lap. Ever since the clock hand had arrived, Natsu had been acting a little off every now and then.

"I know little buddy, I guess i've just been worried about Lucy. You know since her father died, and then this strange new relative showed up, and now her fathers momentum was stolen, its been rough for her lately." And Natsu was seriously worried about Lucy, so that was no lie. Happy seemed to buy it too and continued eating his fish. "Well, all we can do is support her and eat more fish." That made Natsu smile and continue eating his meal too.

Mavis knew she had to keep an extra eye on Natsu as well now. Things were starting to get very interesting in the lives of the oblivious couple.

So, what did you think of it? I know it was a lot of Mavis, but she plays a part in this just as much as Zeref does. Plus since she is an old spirit she knows more and kinda has some perception powers too. Tell me what you think.