Okay, so my tests aren't finished yet — they'll be finished this Tuesday. But since this is the weekend I plan to make the most of it. Repeat after me, now — ALL HAIL WEEKENDS.

Shout-outs to:

DeadlySereneGrace: Why thank you for the motivation!

PINK: Natsu's little bit will be revealed right here in this chapter. :)

wingedmercury: Yeah, I hope I surprised you with that plot twist. Thanks!

OmeletAnnisaXD: Aww you're too kind. I love you too, and thank you!

Footster26 and FairyReborn: Thanks. Now, you both seem to have different opinions on the length of my chapters . . . and I don't know what to do, so yeah. XD

Onwards!

Chapter Eight.

"And do you know where Grimoire Heart might be?" Erza said.

Lucy and Levy spluttered in the background, seemingly not believing that Erza was considering such a suicidal, in-the-depths-of-despair plan. Wendy sat innocently on a dusty chair, playing with Happy's ears.

Needless to say, Gray and Natsu were knocked out because Erza claimed they were being "overexcited."

Michelle watched the proceedings nervously.

"Michelle-san. You were saying?" Erza prompted.

"Oh. Right. Apparently this necklace was used for Grimoire Heart members to communicate," she said, holding it up doubtfully. "I can't figure out how they did it, exactly. But since the necklace belonged to a Grimoire Heart member, I was able to track Grimoire Heart's location."

"Where?"

"Era."

"Eh?" Levy gasped. "Era? Are you sure?"

"But Era is where the Magic Council is located!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Exactly. I think it kind of makes sense, in a way," Michelle said. "Era is such an obvious choice that no one would think Grimoire Heart is there."

"That . . . kind of makes sense, Michelle-san," Wendy said.

"So it's decided. We are going to Era first thing tomorrow." Erza paused and glanced at the two unconscious boys. "Someone tell these idiots about our plans."

And with that, she marched off back to their little boat.

They had decided to spend the night in The Hairy Lemon once more, the whole group piling into a large room that they rented.

Lucy dreamed that night, flashes of the illusion playing before her mind again.

It was different this time, though.

It lasted longer.

More painful.

Nowhere to run.

Nowhere to hide.

. . . As she saw each of her friends die, right in front of her eyes.

After an hour of tossing and turning in the very narrow bed (Levy beside her was snoring, Wendy was curled up in fetal position, and Erza hogged up all the pillows) Lucy figured she wouldn't get to sleep soon. Standing up and tiptoeing over Levy, she quietly made her way over to the small balcony that hung right outside their room.

What Lucy did not expect to see, however, was a pink-haired Dragonslayer sitting on the balcony railing.

"Natsu?"

"Yo Luce."

"What're you doing?"

"Can't sleep."

"Yeah, me too."

There was a moment of comfortable silence as the two looked up at the bright spatter of stars that littered the night sky. For once, Lucy found that Natsu did have his quiet moments.

Something nagged at the back of Lucy's mind.

"Say, Natsu?"

"What?"

"What did you see in your illusion?"

He didn't answer, and Lucy was about to back off when —

"Igneel."

"Huh? But isn't that good?"

"Igneel when he left."

". . .Oh."

"Yeah. What about you?"

"My mama. I saw someone kill her with a piece of glass. And my papa; he said he didn't want me."

"Your old man sucks."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Hey, Luce, Igneel wasn't all I saw."

". . .Me too, actually."

After another brief moment of silence —

"I saw you die." They both said at the same time.

"You too?" Natsu said.

"You, Erza, Gray, Levy . . . everyone." Lucy hugged her knees and stared at the sky. "You know, Natsu, seeing everyone die freaked me out more than my papa."

The signature Natsu grin appeared. "Don't worry, Luce! They can't beat me that easily!" Suddenly his grin fell and a determined glint took over his eyes. "Besides, anyone who messes with Fairy Tail will pay the price."

Lucy smiled. There was nothing like a dose of Natsu to cheer her up.

In a rare moment of thoughtfulness, Natsu patted her head.

"We'll get through this, Luce."

"I know."

The next morning, the group left The Hairy Lemon and headed to the station to take the train to Era.

"So, Mi-chan, I guess you're not coming with us?"

"I'm staying at Hargeon, Levy-san," Michelle smiled. "I think my father . . . would want me to see him again."

Natsu laughed awkwardly. "Sorry 'bout that."

"It's no problem, really. You put him out of his misery."

The train whistle sounded.

"Let's go. Our train is leaving." Erza interrupted. "Goodbye, Michelle-san."

"Yeah, bye, Michelle-chan!"

"See ya."

"I hope we meet again, Michelle-san!"

"Aye!"

She smiled at them. "I hope we do."

As the seven of them piled into the train, they looked back at Hargeon and saw Michelle's shrinking figure, waving at them from the distance.

A little rambling moment completely unrelated to this story.

Does anyone have any good manga recommendations for me? I've finished some short manga works, currently reading Bleach, and waiting for Fairy Tail and Soul Eater to update. I should also mention that I'm kind of picky in choosing what manga to read — I don't like manga that are devoted completely to romance. Any recommendations will be appreciated.

Anyhow! That little Natsu-Lucy bit was fun to write. Review please. The button is calling out to you.

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