Hey readers… just before you go on any further – I just wanted to tell you that this story will not be a NaLu one. So if you're a NaLu shipper and hoping for that ending, I'm really sorry, the story just really flowed and I realised that with the given chapters, there hadn't been much NaLu at all, so I've narrowed down my choices…
Sorry for leading you guys on for so long and then letting you down by saying it's not NaLu…
Either way, hope you enjoy this chapter (:
P.S- you guys might hate me for this, but in this story, Happy, Lily and Carla are people, and they're slightly OOC … xD
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"What." Laxus growled into the office phone.
"Lucy can't work for a while due to personal reasons. So we'll have to take an alternative unless you want to be exposed." Erza got straight to the point, speaking monotonously through the line.
"Find a movie or something for them to be in. Don't come runnin' to me." Laxus sighed, where was the blondie anyway? He hadn't seen her since the wedding. (Which was only two days ago, but anyway)
"Just thought you wanted an update. I'll be leaving now." She hung up quickly, leaving a yet again annoyed Laxus listening to the beeping tone of the phone.
Frowning, Laxus picked up his mobile and quickly sent off a text message. She better receive it, or else.
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"Wendy! I'm home." A pair of footsteps walked into the house as Wendy ran to the front door.
"Lucy. You took longer than an hour…"Wendy trailed off at the sight of Lucy's red, puffy eyes.
"Sorry, I ran into someone. Want to go out to the amusement park, or the movies or something?" Lucy mustered up a smile.
"Don't you have work?" Wendy raised an eyebrow, grabbing her shoes and putting them on anyway. Boy, was she quite good at acting…
"Ahh, I'm taking a break for a few days." Lucy waved her hand around carelessly, gesturing that work didn't really matter for the time being.
"Hmmm," Wendy almost pouted, but stopped herself, "How about the movies then? I want to see 'For you, my Love'."
"A romance movie?" Lucy almost shoved Wendy back into house and forced her to watch a few horror and action packed films. Almost.
"Yeah! Unless… you wanted to see something else." Wendy hoped that Lucy would agree. Her cousin needed more romance in her life. And what's a better way to learn than watching a romantic movie itself?
"Jeez, you're way too much like Mira." Lucy grumbled, "Okay, what's it about?" she sighed.
"A girl who's really clumsy, but her life changes when she finally settles on a job. Then she meets a few guys, and they all end up liking her."
Lucy face palmed, "It sounds utterly cheesy and gross and all smooch-y."
"Please!" the young bluenette begged.
"Nope. I've decided. We're going to watch 'When time freezes over'." Lucy placed her hands on her hips.
"No way! 'For you, my Love', or nothing!" Wendy stuck out her tongue.
"You know what." Lucy gave up, "Let's just go to the amusement park."
"Fine." Wendy crossed her arms, slightly upset she couldn't see the movie, but there was a small and unnoticeable smile on her face. She knew something that Lucy didn't…~
"Fine." The oblivious Lucy said.
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"Guys. I've decided. You're all going to do community service." Erza stood up and addressed the band.
"WHAT?! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING." Natsu and Gray jumped up, "That's your ultimate plan?!" they said, incredulous.
"Well, while you guys do that then, I'll be off in Crocus or something." Karen shrugged.
"No, you have to do it too." Erza glared, "We're going straight there after your Radio appearance that was placed ages ago."
Flashback –
"Hello?" Wendy picked up the ringing phone and placed it against her ear.
"Wendy?" Erza asked, if it wasn't Lucy that had picked up, then it had to be the small girl.
"Yes, she's speaking."
"It's Erza. From the other day. Lucy said that she couldn't work for a few days… has something happened?"
"Not that I know of…"
"That's okay, also. The band has to go on hiatus until Lucy comes back. But they're going to have to do something. You know what in getting at right?"
"They could go do something in public? I mean, that would mean the fans won't be too sad." Wendy suggested.
"Thanks, I'll think of something." Erza nodded and they both said their goodbyes.
End –
"What kind of 'community service'?" Gajeel asked, smirking.
"You'll know, when you get there." Erza smirked, rivalling Gajeel's.
The five sitting there shivered, Erza smirking, meant something that they absolutely DO NOT want to do.
IGNITE walked cautiously towards the small van in front of them. It was to make sure that they wouldn't draw attention… but big white vans… they were quite a suspicious vehicle to travel in anyway.
They all huddled into the selected transport, sitting shoulder to shoulder in the tight space. They all grumbled, trying to shove one another for the sake of 'personal space'.
"Where ever we're going, it's going to be somewhere we'll regret." Gray huffed, recalling all his moments in his childhood when Erza used to drag him to unreasonable places.
"Doesn't sound bad as long as no one recognises us… Gihi." Gajeel shrugged.
Jellal kept silent, choosing not to voice his opinion in the wrath of his girlfriend.
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"Hello, this is Happy, Carla and Panther Lily on 101.3 Edolas Exceeds." Carla, one of the radio hosts spoke into her mic.
"Aye sir!" Happy fish pumped, a random piece of raw fish in his hand.
"We have our guests here – IGNITE for our special interview." Lily said seriously, his headphones hung loosely around his neck while everyone had theirs on.
"Yo-ho! Natsu here!" the salmon haired singer spoke.
Everyone else said their greetings and they moved on to the interview.
"So, Karen, what's it like, being the only girl in IGNITE?" Carla asked.
"Hmm, I can't say it's a bad thing. I mean like, one of them will like me in the end. I'm just fabulous like that." She flung her hands in the air, although no one else outside of the studio could see it.
There was a pregnant silence as everyone stared at her, sweat dropping. Lily gave an awkward cough as Happy nodded.
"A-Aye… moving on. What's your favourite fish?" The blue haired host nibbled on his own fillet as the other everyone else stared slightly in disgust.
"You know what… how about we get IGNITE to play us a song, and you fans out there can call in and ask your own questions? Remember, that's 16-xx-xx. Call in with your questions." Lily cut in, saving everyone from the potentially disastrous interview.
"Uh…. Karen can't sing today though! She has something to attend to later on and has to rest her vocal chords. So we, uh, will be on hiatus for a short amount of time." Gray quickly added, earning a nod from Erza and a slightly annoyed look from Karen. She could totally sing, but it wasn't like she could now that Gray had gone and said that.
The band stood up and walked over to the small area set up with microphones and instruments.
"This song," Natsu spoke into the microphone, "is a special one for you guys out there because of our hiatus. It hasn't yet been released, but will be coming out on our new album. The song is called 'You'."
Immediately after saying that, Gajeel let the beat drop on the drums, Jellal following after him, his fingers flying across the strings of the bass. Gray was playing notes rapidly, but at a fluid pace.
The intro to the song finally pieced together as Natsu played his first notes on the guitar, leaning towards the microphone in front of him.
You, say, you're out of your mind,
And it's k-k-k-killing me, you've beaten me,
Down, to the ground,
You're killing me, k-killing me,
But I'll be back,
One more time,
Don't hesitate, to hide yourself,
Because I'll always find you,
Again, and again, and again…
This isn't goodbye,
It's not over yet,
I still have this song for you,
Just look me in the eye,
This is a promise,
I have no regrets,
Who said I'm leaving you…
No joke, this isn't April fools,
Behind that ego, you're just uncool,
Now you're k-killing me, once again
But I'll be back,
One more time,
Don't hesitate, to run away,
Because I will always go after you,
Again, and again, and again…
Everyone paused as Natsu rammed through his guitar solo, the sound bleeding as it blasted though the amplifier, making the ground buzz with vibrations. As the solo began to slow down again, Natsu took another breath and started singing again.
This isn't goodbye,
It's not over yet,
I still have this song for you,
Just look me in the eye,
This is a promise,
I have no regrets,
Who said I'm leaving you…
This isn't goodbye,
It's not over yet,
I still have this song for you,
Just look me in the eye,
This is a promise,
I have no regrets,
Who said I'm leaving you…
Who said I'm leaving you…
You're killing me,
Who said I'm leaving you…
The studio erupted into a cheer as the band hi-fived each other, Natsu breathing heavily. Damn he'd pretty much performed like he would at a concert.
"I think we just caught a rare glimpse of the old boy band, IGNITE!" Lily spoke clapping.
"Now, tell me, who is this song really dedicated to?" Carla put emphasis on her words.
"Aye! Do you liiiiiiiike someone perhaps, Natsu?" Happy laughed as Carla reached over and promptly shoved a fish in his mouth to shut him up.
Happy blushed a little, think that she gave to him as a gift. Well, at least no one noticed.
"Ah… no one really." Natsu scratched the back of his head.
"Let's not keep our callers waiting then shall we?" Lily fiddled with a few buttons on the control pad and there was a buzzing sound before a voice spoke.
"Hello?"
"HEY!" Natsu greeted back loudly.
"Oh my gosh! It's Natsu!" there were squeals on the other line and the feedback went through the system and through to everyone's head phones. Everyone hissed and chucked them off, quickly hanging up on the overly obsessed – and loud fans.
"Never mind…" Carla rubbed her temples.
"It's time to play… 'Truth, dare, double dare, torture, kiss or hug'." The blue haired host spoke dramatically.
IGNITE's eye's widened, everyone recalling what had happened last time in the studio.
"Hell no!" Everyone one screamed at the 'sadistic' radio host.
"What? They get the top views on our website…" Happy made kissy faces towards Natsu and Gray, who both turned green and ran as far away from each other as they could.
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"Which ride?" Wendy asked, she decided to let Lucy pick, since the blonde seemed so down.
"The Haunted House."
"NO!" the bluenette immediately denied.
"Fine." Lucy drawled out, "the Ghost Train."
"WHAT?!" Wendy almost screeched, "That's even worse! You're locked into a carriage, and you can't see any emergency exits… unless there's actually an EMERGENCY!"
"Jeez. We'll go on that then." Lucy pointed to a large building. Inside was a roller coaster where you'd travel through 'portals' and have an 'adventure'. It wasn't a ride in the 'horror' category either.
"Good." Wendy nodded and dragged Lucy towards the ride.
The line was quite short, since the ride had been there since the amusement park had first opened and people wanted to ride the newer ones.
The immediately took the last seats on the carriage and they set off on a journey.
The two laughed as they exited the ride, not watching where they were going.
"Lucy?" a muffled voice spoke.
"Huh?" the blonde looked up at the giant Mickey Mouse in front of her.
"Rouge!" Wendy ran up and hugged the man in the suit.
"Rouge?" Lucy voiced in amusement, "You work here?"
"O-only as part time." Rouge pulled the head off the stuffy suit, giving him a small head poking out of a fat mouse body.
Lucy couldn't help but laugh, her face glowing as Rouge blushed. He hadn't taken Lucy as the type to venture out to the Amusement park from her shy stature. But he guessed that had changed long ago, before Grandine's wedding.
"It's nice seeing you hey? But Wendy and I want to go on the other rides. Call me 'kay? We should catch up, you pick the date!" Lucy waved shyly as Wendy tugged on her other arm.
"A… date?" Rouge muttered to himself, eyes wide.
Further along, Wendy giggled.
"I told you, he likes you! Or you like him… but! Either way!" she expressing, smiling slyly up at the busty blonde.
"W-what?! No! We're friends!"
"Mhmm… sure." Wendy winked and pulled her towards the café.
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A week had passed since the day at the park and Wendy had gone back home with Mest and Grandine. Lucy missed the small girl slightly, having gotten used to her staying over. Rouge didn't call either… but that's when she remembered she'd gotten a new number just after the wedding. Oops.
But she didn't feel sad today. The hospital had called her and asked for Levy to be signed out today. Lucy was the closest to her and also to only person available that Levy knew that could legally sign her out.
Juvia was away on a business trip and Cana was probably at home with a throbbing hangover.
Lucy picked up her keys and walked out of the door, locking it behind her.
She rushed over to the mall and looked around for a while, trying to find the perfect gift for Levy's recovery.
And then she spotted it. It was a light blue fountain pen, extremely delicate and calling out to her.
She purchased it, along with a box the place it in.
Running back out onto the street, she made her towards the hospital, humming as she went along.
She was interrupted by a buzzing sound coming from her pocket. Fishing it out of her worn jeans, she checked the caller ID. It was from Juvia, with surprised Lucy. Since the said girl was away for business, it was unusual for her to call.
"Hey Juvia, what's up?" Lucy spoke into the phone, cupping it closer to her face, trying to block out the sound of the busy street.
"Lucy! Are you okay?! Juvia is worried about you! I'm in your hometown and heard some gossip!" her bluenette friend spoke frantically into the phone.
"Wha – " Lucy cut herself off when a beeping sound came from her phone, "Hang on, Cana's calling me, I'll put you on hold for a sec."
She switched lines as she turned onto a quieter street and held the phone by her ear again.
"Yo, Cana… how are you?"
"Lucy! I just heard the news… You know the more important question should be how are you holding up?" Cana said, worried.
"Huh? What do you mean… I'm just going to pick up Levy from the hospital, she's finally getting let out today." Lucy grinned, patting her bag with Levy's gift inside reassuringly.
"No seriously, don't act all tough on me, I know your relationsh – " Cana's voice faded away when there was a tap on Lucy's shoulder. She jumped up and turned to face the person, dropping her phone in the meantime, "Hello? LUCY! Are you still there?" Cana screamed into the phone, hearing a crackling noise on the other side. But the brunette's voice remained unheard.
"Gildarts!" Lucy exclaimed at the police officer, "You know, I was just talking to Cana on the phone and she's acting pretty weird. I mean, you guys live together, you're her dad after all, happen to know what's up?"
The said man placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder grimly.
"Lucy…" he trailed off into silence, "You know, you walk really fast, I called your name out six times. And you didn't pick up your cell phone!"
"Uh, sorry," Lucy said sheepishly, "I was on the phone with Juvia and Cana."
"I've been looking for you for about two hours now!"
"Really? Why?" Lucy suddenly felt suspicious, what was Gildarts hiding from her?
"Lucy," he said gravely, "You father… he passed away yesterday." He sighed inwardly, knowing what was going to happen. It was Lucy. He'd known her for years now. And every time something like this happened to her, it always ended in… DENIAL.
Lucy burst out laughing, "You're kidding me right?" she wiped a tear from her eye, "I mean, he wasn't sick or anything, he never told me about anything, but then again, we haven't spoken in like what? Four years now?" To her it seemed unreal, all a big fat lie.
"Lucy… This is the real deal. You are the only blood related family he has left."
Lucy's tears turned into sobs of pain as she crumpled onto the empty side walk. It was true, Mest was from Layla's side of the family, making her the last Heartfillia.
So that's what it was… denial, then acceptance and pain. Sometime Lucy gave in too easily. She forgave too easily… and she was alone too often.
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CHAPTER EIGHT :)