Lucy was sitting on the bench with her hands between her legs and head down, staring at the ground with a lost stare, when something cold came in contact with her cheek and made her jump.
"Kyaa!"
"Buahahaha, you said 'kya'!"
"N-no, I-I didn't!" Lucy strongly denied, touching her cold cheek and glaring up at Natsu who was laughing his ass off while holding his stomach.
"Liar. You said 'kyaaaa'!" Natsu said, imitating her with a high pitched voice.
"S-shut up ..." The blonde teen muttered embarrassed before looking away, pouting cutely. That idiot was attracting too much attention and now all the passers-by were looking at them in a funny way. But Natsu didn't care what the others thought of them at that time. He threw a Coke can in her lap and sat next to her like before. I mean with his right arm on the bench behind Lucy, but this time with the left leg over the other. The blushing girl was looking down at her can as Natsu looked away from Lucy, towards the sky, and sipping his drink. The atmosphere was really awkward.
Why the heck am I here with this idiot instead of being home and taking a nice hot bath!? Lucy thought, sighing.
"Hey, Blondie."
Plus, the atmosphere is unbearable!
"Luce."
A-and that thing that happened before ...
"Lucy!" The next thing Lucy saw, was Natsu's face from below. Apparently she was lying on the ground behind some bushes, with the pink-haired boy hovering above her, in a really awkward way. He was covering her mouth while looking over the bush seriously.
"Pinkifh!" The surprised blonde girl tried to shout but since her mouth was covered by his big hand, only confusing muffled sounds came out. Unfortunately his hand was also covering her nose and the need to breathe was getting stronger. Punching on Natsu's chest and moving her legs desperately, finally she was able to draw the boy's attention.
"H-huh?" Natsu looked at her and realizing what he was doing, he pulled back his hand immediately as if he just touched fire (Ehehe, fire, did you get it? no? ... Oh well...) and moved from above her to sit next to her.
"What do you think-?!"
"Shhh!" Natsu said covering her mouth again and putting a finger in front of his mouth.
"Look over there." He said, pointing towards the place where 2 seconds before they were seated. Slowly, they approached the bush and shyly looking over it, Lucy's eyes widened.
Erza Scarlet.
The class representative, dressed in a sexy black and white dress and wearing soft but noticeable makeup as if she were on a date. Next to her was a blue-haired tall boy who had a scary tattoo on his face. He was very attractive and casually dressed, but there was something about him that made him shine like a star. Indeed a breathtaking boy.
"W-woah ..." Lucy let out of her mouth a small sound without realizing, as she watched in awe the two teenagers.
"Tch .." Natsu scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away from the blonde and the two teens.
"I'm waaay cooler than him, a million times more ..." He finished pouting cutely.
"What are they're doing?" Lucy asked, putting her hands on the bush and raising her head above, to hear better.
"They're sayin' stuff 'bout how they had fun together." Natsu said, strangely very close to Lucy's left ear. The girl slowly turned around to be surprised by Natsu's proximity. She immediately turned her head back, trying to ignore his closeness.
"Wait a second..." He whispered, moving around and the second after Lucy was ready to die from embarrassment. Natsu moved behind Lucy, with his hands on the bush next to hers. He was looking straight ahead with his head above hers, imprisoning Lucy between his arms.
"Hey! I know that guy!"
"H-h-huh?" Lucy tried to speak, but only stutter came out.
"And therefore-"
"Wait ... I feel... observed?" Erza cut him, surprising the boy in front of her.
"O-observed?" The blue-haired boy repeated, raising one eyebrow and the girl nodded. For an instance she closed her eyes and as she opened them, she suddenly turned her head in Natsu's and Lucy's direction, making the 2 spying teens scream and jump from the scare at the same time, only to fall backwards.
"Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Ashley! Get out of there right now!" Erza yelled, approaching them.
"O-ouch ..." Lucy complained about the pain in her head, because she headbutted Natsu in the chin as she landed with her back on his chest, between his legs. He was slightly hugging her while cursing through his teeth.
"Come out or I'll tear off your skin, while you're still alive!"
"Hyeeek!"
"S-shit! Let's run!"
"E-eh?" Natsu stood up picking up the grocery bag and abruptly pulling Lucy along with him, before running away without even looking back.
"Natsu, Lucy!" Lucy turned back to see Erza from across the street screaming angrily and then look ahead when she suddenly heard Natsu laugh aloud like a madman. She didn't know what was there to laugh about, but she couldn't suppress the cheerful laughter coming out of her mouth. After running for who knows how long, without a goal, they finally stopped to take a break.
"Do...-gasp-...D-do you think we shook her off?" Lucy said, panting and looking behind her.
"...No..."
"What do you mean by 'NO'!?" The girl suddenly turned towards Natsu.
"That demon can follow you even in afterlife, just to make you pass through hell..." Natsu breathed, wiping his forehead with his hand.
"W-well, I can't say you're wron-" And it was then that Lucy noticed that he had never left her hand since the beginning.
"U-ummm ... Pinky?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you please stop holding my hand? Like now?" She demanded as she stared seriously at their linking hands.
"Hmmm? " Natsu said, looking down and reluctantly left her hand.
"Tch ..."
"Hmpfh!" Lucy said, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away from the boy, while he put his hands behind his head and looked the other way, bored.
"Where are we goin' now?"
"I'm going home. You. Are going where you want. Bye!" Lucy said, taking the bag with the food from Natsu's hand and walking towards her house.
"Hey! Is this the way to repay someone who helped you? "
"I didn't ask you anything, in the first place; Plus tomorrow I'll give you back your money. I don't like to be in debt with stupid people. "
"Hey!" Natsu said, walking next to Lucy with his hands in his pockets.
"I'm not stupid!"
"Yes, of course not. Eehehe. How can I possibly think that? Hmm? Then why did get 20% in the last math test?"
"H-how do you know? "
"You screamed it in class before setting fire to the sheet and run away screaming that 'without any evidence you can't prove anything!'" Lucy said, crossing her arms over her chest and looking at Natsu with narrowed eyes.
"T-to defend myself, that test was damn hard!" The boy started to panic and feel ashamed.
"First degree equations. " Lucy said slowly, raising an eyebrow.
"Fine! Who gives a fuck ... "Natsu muttered, as he lost the will to fight, looking away from Lucy with a cute pout. But suddenly his face lit up and spun around towards her, grinning like an idiot.
"Hey! You finished that test with the best score, right?"
"Yes?" Lucy answered, worried about what was about to follow.
"Then it's simple! You're gonna teach me math for the next exam. You're gonna be like my personal teacher. Eheeh. "
"I'll be what? "Lucy said, stepping back, a little surprised.
"Nononono. I'm not going to be your teacher! "
"But Luceeeeeee." Natsu whined, pouting and taking Lucy's arm.
"I need your help!"
"No! Not a chance! Go and ask your friends instead of bothering me! "The annoyed girl said, pushing his hand away and turning around to run away.
"Lucy!" Natsu shouted and the next thing happened so quickly that it took her a while to understand it.
Followed by the sound of a crazy horn a super fast car was about to hit Lucy, who accidentally fell from the sidewalk on the street. Fortunately Natsu was quick enough to pull the girl back against his chest in time, before colliding against a couple of tables behind them.
"W-wha-!?"
"Lucy!" Natsu yelled tightening the grip around Lucy.
"Don't you ever do that again! Do you understand me?! Never!" Lucy felt the desperate worry in his angry voice and feeling guilty she bit her lower lip and let him hug her. Soon the blonde started to hear all the whispers and feel the stares of every passers-by.
"N-N ... pinky! People are watching us, let me go! "
"Shhhh, Luce ... Ignore them ... "Natsu whispered softly in Lucy's hair making her blush more.
"I-I said ... let me go!" The blonde yelled before headbutting Natsu and thus running away from his grasp.
"Oooh ~?" Said a sensual male voice. A mysterious boy was leaning against a garden's fence on a hillside and was looking down at an intersection where Lucy and Natsu were drawing a lot of attention.
"Interesting ~" He said, laughing like a maniac before turning around to walk away with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey, Luce! I said I was sorry!"
"Shut up, and stop following me!" Lucy hissed, walking at a fast pace in a quiet alley that led down to her house. The sun was slowly setting down in the distance, in front of them.
"You ain't cute at all ..." Natsu muttered, looking away from the angry blonde. Suddenly he slammed against Lucy's back, who stopped abruptly in her way.
"S-shit ..."
"Oi! Lucy don't stop so suddenly! "Natsu complained, but jumped back when Lucy turned towards him.
"N-N-Na ... P-Pinky!" She shouted seriously, making the pink-haired rebel, raise both eyebrows up in surprise.
"I-if I run now, what would you do? "
"It's obvious, ain't it? I'm gonna run after you until I'll catch you. Although it won't take long, since I'm the fastest of the school and perhaps even of the entire city. "Natsu said as matter-of-fact, grinning widely.
"I-if I hide out?"
"I'm not gonna stop until I'll find ya."
"... Ugh ... If I beat you out of reality?" Lucy asked, a hint of desperation in her voice. And at this question Natsu raised an eyebrow before bowing down near Lucy's face, who held him at arm's length, blocking his arms.
"Lucy? Is there something you're not telling me? "He asked, his voice low and serious, making Lucy gulp.
S-shit ... I can't tell him that Loki is now in my house. If he finds out, he'll blow up my house along with that idiot. A-and I also need Loki's help for my mission ... W-what do I do? ... Arghhhh! why do I always attract crazy and weird people who won't leave me alone!? Why would a stupid rubber-head meddle into my life and destroy everything!?
"Luce?" Natsu said, leaning his forehead over the blonde's, who was lost in her thoughts.
"There's something wrong, isn't there? Are you sick?" He slowly asked, as blood came back to Lucy's cheeks.
"... N-no ... No! I'm fine and I don't want you to follow me! "
"Why!? "
"B-because ... Because I don't want my house to absorb your reek, it would be revolting to feel it every day! "
"What the-!? Hey! That's impossible and I don't stink! "
" Y-yes, you stink! And how do you know it's impossible? Anyway, go home and take a shower, maybe 2 ...or 5, while I go to my house and do whatever I want. "Lucy said, pointing an accusing finger against his chest and making him flinch, before pointing one against hers and the road behind her.
"Hmm? No. "Natsu said simply after looking at the road behind Lucy.
"Wha- What do you mean 'no'?!" She said. More like yelled, while glaring at the rebel boy in front of her.
"No, I don't like your idea. I want to bring you home safe and sound. "
"What-No ….. N-N-Na...Sigh... No. "
"Yes. "
"No. "
"Yes! "
"No!"
"Yesss!"
"Noooo!"
"Yesss!" Natsu and Lucy were practically screaming in their face, by now.
"Why won't you just accept my idea and get lost!?"
"Because I don't wanna!"
"Stop disagreeing with me! I want to go home alone! It's close by anyway!"
"No! I won't, as long as you won't agree with my great idea! Plus if it's near here then why won't you let me come with you!? "
"Ugh! I will always disagree with your stupid ideas!"
"I disagree with you disagreeing about my 'awesome' idea!" Natsu growled in Lucy's face. Without realizing, as they were gradually raising their voices, the distance between their faces fell shorter and shorter. After a few more minutes spent in insulting and screaming at each other, making them look like a married couple ready to divorce, they were slowly approaching the limit.
"How can you disagree with me disagreeing about your disagreeing with my fantastic idea?!" Natsu yelled raising his hands up in the sky.
"Grrrr! Enough! My brain is always severely damaged whenever I'm around you!"
"Well, good for you! You don't have to worry any longer cuz you don't HAVE a brain, mustard head!"
"M-mustard head?! How dare you, you stinky fat pig!?"
"Grrrr!"
"Grrrrrrr!" The two of them were growling at each, when suddenly Natsu took Lucy's wrists and looked at her seriously.
"Wha-!?"
"Fine!" The boy cut her short.
"If you don't wanna me to go with you, fine. But at least give me your phone number so I can call you to make sure you get home. "
"W-wha-? "Lucy asked, blinking in confusion and in that moment of confusion Natsu let go of a wrist to put his hand into the confused girl's pocket.
Oh no! Lucy thought looking down, remembering that in one of her pockets she had her keys.
"W-w-what are you doing p-pervert?" The blonde screamed trying to get Natsu's hand away but he was quicker and pulled it out with her phone.
"Wow, pink. I never thought that there's also a feminine side to you. "Natsu commented smirking down at Lucy, who blushed furiously.
"S-shut up! And give it back to me! "Lucy cried out, as she raised on her tiptoes with her hands up, trying to grab her phone, which Natsu barely held above his head. With his other hand he took his phone from his pocket and quickly sought Lucy's number in her phone book.
"Soooo, Luce ..,. Lucy ... Ah! Luigi! Ah, no wait I'm looking for Lucy. Hot blonde chick...no? Lucy, Mario, Lucy, Don flamingo. ... Don flamingo!? Who the fuck is this dude? A-anyway ... Hmmm ... Bingo! "He said, smiling victoriously, while still ignoring Lucy's screams. He wrote the girl's number in his phone book and his in hers.
"Done." He said with a satisfied grin.
"Thank goodness ... Asshole ..." Lucy breathed, by now, tired and weary after being on her tiptoes for so long. But as he was going to put the phone back in Lucy's hand he suddenly raised his hand to the sky and with the other he grabbed the blonde around her waist, pulling her against his chest while she wasn't looking.
"Ah-ah-ah! if ya want your phone back you'll have to be my teacher. "
"What!?" Lucy screamed in surprise, until a second ago she was pushing herself against his chest to break free while insulting him and now he was staring at him confused.
"You. Me. Teacher. Phone. Back." Natsu said, speaking slowly and making wide signs with his mouth, before winking at her.
"No! never, I'll never waste my precious time with a lost case, like you!"
"Hey! That was harsh! Oh well. If you don't want to your phone back, I'll keep it. Maybe I'll call this Virgo dude, and I'll make a nice chat pretending to be you. And who knows. Maybe find out some beautiful secrets about you. Like what's your bra size, or if you are a vir-"
"All right, all right! I'll be your freakin' teacher! God, now let me go, you stupid pervert! "Lucy shouted, red as a tomato, interrupting his embarrassing list, while she pummeled his chest.
"Ahahaha, good!" Natsu grinned, lowering his hand and losing his grip around Lucy who immediately grabbed her phone.
"I'll see you tomorrow, my dear teacher. Hahaha " He said stressing the word 'my', while laughing and winking, before dodging a punch and a kick with a jump.
"Disappeaaaaar!"
"Ahahaha!" Lucy observed, Natsu run away waving his hand above his head happily, like a child.
"Tch ..." She turned on her heels and walked towards her house with a cute pout and her cheeks steaming red.
"I'm hooooome..." She said without any enthusiasm.
"Hey! We were worried here! We thought that something had happened to you! "Loki said, coming quickly from the living room.
"Like?"
"Like being abducted by aliens or something like that, I don't know." He answered with a shrug.
"Abducted by aliens, huh? ... Maybe it would have been better ..." Lucy whispered tilting her head towards the right and looking at the boy with lost, half-closed eyes.
"Eh? What did you say? "
"Nothing. Here, I brought the popcorn and Coke. In fact, I'm going to prepare the popcorn. "The blonde said, changing the subject and going into the kitchen.
After 5 min, Lucy came into the living room with a bowl full of popcorn, oddly red, and a Coke. Sitting down on the couch next to Loki, she gave him the tin can. The boy's eyes were glued on the TV, he didn't even flinch when Lucy put the bowl full of popcorn on the coffee table. The girl pulled up her legs and hugging her knees to her chest, she put her chin on her arms completely ignoring Loki who screamed like a little girl before making strange noises.
Let me explain, the story of a small little tin can.
Since it was shaken continuously during the day, when the poor naive boy opened it, a strong jet of Coke came out, hitting him straight in the face. I repeat. Strong.
Lucy sighed heavily thinking about what happened moments ago and once again ignored Loki who ate a little piece of popcorn and- Ah, maybe I forgot to say that Lucy has, without realizing it, bought super extra spicy popcorn instead of sugar popcorn, in any case, ignoring the guy who was practically dying beside her on the ground while calling for help. She took her phone from her pocket and turned it on.
M-maybe I should write to him? ... Lucy thought opening her phone book and looking for his name. 'Your awesome Natsu Dragneel.' Lucy raised an eyebrow at that name.
No. (Her expression would be like this ._.) Now that I think about it, it's best if I don't play around with my mental health. And shaking her head, while sighing, she put the phone back in the pocket.
After, of course, changing the name to 'stupid pinky'. Just when she got up from the couch, the phone vibrated, freezing her completely on the spot. With a trembling hand and gulping audibly Lucy placed her hand in her pocket. Slowly and carefully she pulled out the object as if it were a bomb ready to explode.
And in a second Lucy threw herself back on the couch, pulling her knees up and holding the phone tight in her hands as if she were embarrassed to show it to anyone while she watched it, blushing a little. Taking a bit of courage, she turned on the phone to see that a new message had arrived. Slowly she gulped and opened it.
-Stars premium member.
May we remind you, that your credit is coming to an end. We invite you to recharge your phone, within 18/7/x791 at the cost of only 2,000 jewels.-
"Grrrr! Go to hell stupid phone! "Lucy screamed, standing up on the couch and throwing the phone on the ground, hitting Loki on the forehead.
"Stupid recharge ... Stupid technology. ... Stupid pinky ... "Lucy whispered the last part, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Lucy are you okay!?" Loki screamed, sitting up on the ground while rubbing his forehead. Face still red because of the popcorn.
"Yes! I'm fine! I'm perfectly fine! Can't you see it!?" The girl screamed sarcastically, raising her hands in the air.
"O-ok ..." Seeing the murderous aura given off by the blonde, he gulped and moved away from her. Lucy finally saw Loki's face and pointing a finger at him, she asked:
"What's wrong with your face?"
"You've just realized it now!?" Loki shouted angrily.
"Well, I'm sorry if I haven't noticed it before ..." Lucy said pouting, while sitting down next to Loki handing him a bottle of cold water.
"But there was no need to yell..."
"Yes. Maybe you're right and thank you. "
"You're welcome... " The girl watched Loki drink water as a dehydrated desperate man. Her phone vibrated in her pocket again.
Stupid phone. I won't be fooled a second time. She thought, ignoring the phone in her pocket and trying to be careful at what Loki was saying.
"Listen, Lucy ..."
"Yes?"
"I have decided. I'm going to help you. But..." Lucy waited for Loki to keep talking with her arms crossed over her chest.
"But I don't agree with your plan." Raising an eyebrow, the calm girl asked:
"Why?"
"Because while you were gone I did some research on the constellations' stones. They are indeed an important source of power and ... "Loki stopped, looking seriously at Lucy.
"Dangerous. If the spirits even dared to approach them, their minds would get blurred and they would be manipulated by the stones. "
"….I understand. So to hell with my plan, right? Sigh ... Oh well, looks like I will do everything by myself. "Lucy sighed, scratching her head and looking away from Loki as she rose to her feet.
"Wait." Loki said, taking Lucy's wrist.
"I haven't finished." Loki took the girl's silence as an invitation, No. Much more like an order to continue to speak and when he opened his mouth Lucy's phone rang.
"... You're not going to answer?"
"No." Lucy said taking out the phone and grimacing when she saw the name of the person who called her. Stupid pinky. Rejecting the call, Lucy put the phone on quiet and back in her sweatshirt's pocket.
"Go on."
"As I was saying. The stones can control the spirits when they are close. "
"Yes, I understand that-"
"But I didn't say that one stone is enough to control all of them even from far away. "
"What!? "Lucy exclaimed surprised.
"In fact. It only takes a very small quantity of any kind of stone to throw the spirits into utter chaos. But this is not what has me worried. "Loki stared at the girl.
"The stones are connected to the spirits that are linked to their masters, who as we know, thy're the celestial mages. Lucy. If you also get too close to the stones you will also be controlled by them. "Lucy looked at the serious boy in the eyes, surprised by what he said, before biting her lip to keep from screaming.
How did I not know this fact until now? She thought.
"...How ...Did you find out?"
"I...I asked Virgo to bring me an old book from my library in the Celestial world... Constellation's spiritual alchemy. "There was an awkward silence between them. The girl sat back on the couch and put her face between her hands and sighed heavily.
"….Then what do we do?" Lucy finally broke the silence.
"T-there's still a chance... of using Urano Meteoria against that person..." Loki tried to cheer up the blonde but failing miserably.
"Yeah... but it would be useless. Our goal is- Was... "Lucy frowned.
"To destroy the stones and prevent the ritual. If we can't even get close to the stones, then tell me, how in the world can we stop them from using you!? "Loki's eyes widened before sheepishly scratching his neck trying to answer her question but not finding anything.
"Ah! Now that you mention it, who is this person that they want to bring to life?" Lucy glared at Loki who flinched back, swallowing and putting his hands in front of him as a sign of defense.
"I-I'm just curious. The last time you didn't tell me, s-so ... "
"... Zeref ..." Lucy whispered, looking at the rug in front of her.
"H-huh?" The boy stuttered.
"Zeref. The most powerful dark wizard who ever lived. "Lucy said, standing up.
"You... D-do you mean that Zeref, which many powerful wizards gave their lives to finally put him to sleep?"
"Yes." Lucy said bitterly, clenching her fists at her sides.
And that person too...she unnecessarily gave her life for all this mess... The blonde thought glaring at the carpet as if to set it on fire. Ignoring the still vibrating phone in her pocket.
"W-why? Why do they want to bring Zeref back to life?" Loki asked, standing up to his feet.
"Revenge. They want to bring him to life to take revenge. During the war against Zeref, many famous magicians have died. Including someone special for that disgusting man. After bringing him to life, they want to use him as long as there is still time, to bring back to life all the dead people... Ehehe, or at least one... "
"W-why are you laughing? What do you mean with at 'least one'? "Loki asked backing away, frightened by Lucy's sudden laughter. The blonde girl raised her head, tilting it a bit before looking towards Loki with a bored and lost look.
"It's funny... it's practically a chain of sacrifices. We're sacrificed to bring back Zeref, who is perhaps sacrificed to bring back only one person instead of an entire army. But ... " Lucy said, averting her eyes and looking towards the big window behind the surprised teen.
"There's also another possibility... That is, they don't want to bring back to life Zeref but directly that desired person...Actually I'm not entirely sure of this theory... This is just my guess, you know. Though I fear, it's just as possible as the other theories. "
" ... W-wait. This means that in both cases we would still be sacrificed, right? But why us? And who is this desired person? "
"Yes. In any case we would still be doomed to die. That's it if we ... "Lucy stopped to turn her body completely towards Loki and start to shine golden like the first time with all the other constellations materializing next to her.
"If we don't prevent it. It has been decided. We refuse to die this way, we have to fight until the end. Anyone who has a valid plan spit it out right now. Let us join our minds! "Lucy said with a raised fist at the ceiling, followed by a wave of screams and cheers.
"We are! Set fire to the whole building. "Scorpio screamed as Aquarius threw herself into his arms.
"No ... Just no. I doubt that the fire will make it in time. This thing It's a matter of seconds. "
"Destroy it with my axe! By the way nice boooody as always Lucy!"Lucy face-palmed, grunting some inaudible words.
"Didn't you hear what I said before? It's a matter of seconds!"
"We can sneak in! I can try-"
"You can't approach the stones. Sorry."Loki said with a faint smile, sitting down next to Aries and Gemini.
"Use a super powerful magic to destroy everything at the same time!"
"No..."
"Make one of them think, that they have to take away the stones and once out and far away, we attack them!"
"No."
"Puun puuuun pun! "Everyone looked at Plue, surprised.
"Now that I think about it, Plue's right!"
"No!" Lucy yelled, standing up.
"Never! I refuse! We are the only one who can run out this mission, we can't involve other people! Ahhh!" Lucy cried, falling to the ground on her knees.
"Lucy!" Loki shouted, running to her aid.
To call so many spirits at the same time ... It's obvious that you can't resist. After all, you're not like the amazing Layla Heartfilia, mother of all celestial mages. And in the first place how did everyone got out of their gates at the same time!? Loki thought, a sad expression on his face as he pulled his friend up and against his chest.
"Lucy ... Maybe it's better if we talk about it tomorrow. The others and me will put together some plans. Go to sleep. Calling so many spirits at the same time-"
"I ...didn't call... anyone..." Lucy panted without looking at him and breathing heavily.
"H-huh?"
"All of us, came here on our own." Replied one of the spirits. And the orange-haired boy looked astonished at everyone then down at Lucy.
What kind of bond does this girl have with her spirits?! He thought looking at her in awe.
"But you're right... Loki ... M-maybe it's better if I rest... after all, this day was hell for me. And this stupid... phone...just won't stop moving in my pocket! "Lucy breathed, holding her pocket. One by one the spirits vanished while Lucy pushed herself against Loki and raised to her feet. She slowly approached the threshold of the living room when she exclaimed "Ah!" while turning around towards Loki.
"What?"
"We... didn't sign our contract..." Lucy breathed, face-palming.
"Eh? ... Oh, you're right!" The boy exclaimed as he realized, jumping to his feet.
"Sigh ... let's do this quickly. I'm starting to show signs... of fatigue here ..." Lucy and Loki settled themselves one in front of the other, eyes closed and at arm's length in the middle of the living room.
(Oh! Oh! I beg you to hear this song while reading this piece!)
Angst one: The Toxic Avenger !
(Please, you will not regret it and read it sloooowly!)
Slowly, a big shining gold magic circle with writing in another language and signs of the constellations, appeared under their feet spinning clockwise, and 2 smaller ones under each of them, spinning counter-clockwise. The two teenagers held each other's hands and forming a circle they started chanting.
"I, the one who opens the door to the starry world. Lucy ... Heartfilia. Listen to my voice and join in my spirit. "
"I, the one who guides the 12 constellations. Leo the Lion. Listen to my voice and join in my spirit. "The faint gold light from below grew stronger now, making everything shine more and more and in a second everything turned white. Loki together with Lucy, soon found themselves in an open field.
Lucy was dressed like a Greek Goddess. That is, a soft and velvet white dress that laid gently upon the curves of the girl and in her hair, let loose, she had some sunflower flowers, here and there. (it's Lion's flower, if she was making a contract with Virgo, she would have had gardenias, and so on...) Loki instead was wearing a black suit but he didn't have his sunglasses. His hair was longer and obviously he had his cat ears sticking out of it.
The sky darkened showing the constellations and especially that of the lion that was brighter than the others. It was as if a lion was standing right over their head. Without losing time, they began to speak in another language.
"And when he will speak
about a dark sky, about a white landscape,
I will remember stars I have never seen, to which he always belonged,
and I will voice my hear as it snowed sparkles from his heaven ..."
Lucy chanted and at that moment, like snow, sparks began to fall from the sky.
"Be amazed, by the full moon, but don't try to bring it with you: his place is in the sky.
Be warmed, by the sun's power, but don't forget that it doesn't belong to you: it belongs to all creatures, big and small.
Don't try to save the stars from the darkness that surrounds them, let them shine high in the sky: that is their house.
Don't try to stop the wind or take cover from it: It will whisper to your soul the truth ..."
Loki chanted, and in that moment Loki and Lucy's chest began to glow a golden light.
"Doubt that the sun moves, doubt that the stars are fire. Doubt that the lie is actually truth.
Doubt that one day the possible becomes impossible.
Doubt that one day the good will turn into evil."
Lucy said, as wind began to blow from underneath their feet.
"Believe that one day the infinite becomes finite.
Believe that one day peace will prevail over war.
Believe that one day courage can out power cowardice."
Loki said, as the wind blew harder and they shined ever brighter.
Together, they said: "We are here, in the dark... In the shadows of the night, which divides us..."
Loki: "Mine will be for you one of the stars, which will lead you to success."
Lucy: "Mine will be for you a promise, to belong to you forever."
Together: "Just you and me, surrounded by glowing stars... A secret, discreet and unreal connection..."
Lucy: "Light of my eyes, fulfill my desire and lead me in the sky. May my humble hands hold yours, when you're willing to take my place."
Loki: "A promise that only death can break, remember that each star is ready to follow your heart, wherever it goes."
Together: "On this night I let the darkness rock me with his silence and the stars remind me that there is always a light, that shines and shows us the way"
(Remember that you had to listen to the music? Be sure to be at 03:16 while reading this little part and let the music end before starting to read what's next. It gives such a magical atmosphere :DDD)
Loki : "I, the leader of the 12 constellations ..."
Lucy: "I, the one who opens the door to another world ..."
Together, they shouted: "promise to protect and be faithful in the name of the holy stars, and mother Moon. Father of the Universe and eternal Death watch us bond before our destiny!"
Together they opened their eyes and looked at the sky, covered with various glowing magic circles, written in another language before everything turned white, including them.
-( This is where you stop listening to the music. Thank you for listening to my advice, if you did ^^ What did you thought about it? Was it magical? :DDD For me it was damn awesome!)-
(Sorry but I wanted to change the way Lucy makes contracts with her spirits. I have always imagined it this way, like how I wrote above, perhaps with less poetry...in the end they were speaking in another language sooo)
The two young teens were panting heavily as they looked down at each other. Loki fell to his knees on the ground while Lucy fell on the couch with no energy. Every time, these rituals were exhausting her.
"L-Lucy ..." Loki tried to speak, but it was difficult for him since he was panting heavily, trying to steady his hearbeat.
"Don't ...tell ...anyone." The blonde girl replied, stumbling as she tried to rise to her feet, followed by Loki's tired eyes.
"Don't you dare tell anyone... And above all, don't say that name in... my presence... "
"Wh-" Suddenly Loki was struck by a monstrous wave of pain. Clenching his heart, the poor boy looked beneath him, at the carpet, with big trembling eyes as he slowly started to go nuts. Screaming and crying his eyes out.
"Arghhhh!" The young boy roared, starting to roll on the ground as if someone just set him on fire.
W-wha...What the fuck is... T-t-this ... I feel an unbearable pain ... I feel like it's slowly draining my life ...no my soul out of my body!? Loki thought, before Aries' words passed through his mind in a blink, along with a couple of images of a happy little blonde kid with big brown eyes and a young blonde woman smiling together with one where everything is darkened and the woman's body is lifeless on the ground. Pictures started to flow into his mind so fast that he couldn't make out what was going on. He managed to see one last picture of a huge man's silhouette raising his hand as if to slap someone.
"...She...S-she bears a very heavy weight on her shoulders ...""When you'll become her spirit you'll understand ... It's something that words can't express, no matter how many they are, no one will ever be able to invent one that represents it perfectly ..."
Loki's eyes widened in realization, trying his best to look up at the girl. Lucy looked down at him with a pained expression, ready to cry her eyes out at any given moment.
"I-I'm s-sorry ... I didn't want you... to feel my pain... The sentimental bond between the spirits and the owner is one thing..., that you can't prevent ..." Lucy whispered, turning around to stumble her way out of that room.
T-this pain ... T-this burning sensation...Has she always had it inside her? W-what in the world did this girl go through?! The male spirit thought, trying to stand up but failing miserably and screaming once again like a madman. (Imagine Natsu when he was added the second origin :D). No longer able to keep a strong contact with reality, the tormented boy fainted and his lifeless body dropped dead on the ground. Slowly he started to fade away finally appearing in the Celestial world after such a long time.
Lucy entered her bedroom and leaning back against the now closed door, she fell down along it. Silent tears began to fall down her hidden face.
More people are suffering because of me ... She thought putting her hands over her face, bursting into tears.
"I-I'm sorry ... Loki ..Hic.. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I'm sorry ….Hic... Please forgive me ... "Lucy whispered, holding her keys tight to her chest as she shed bitter tears. After a while, when she finally calmed down, she stood up and with a sad look, full of pain, she whispered:
"Aries ... Loki …... I-is Loki okay? " Said that, Aries' key shone a golden light as a sorrowful smile made its way to the girl's lips.
"T-thank goodness ..." Dragging her body into the bathroom, she stripped out of her clothes and slowly immersed herself into the hot water. Motionless she stared at the ceiling when the phone left on a cabinet near the sink, vibrated again.
"God... I knew it would be hell if he found out I had a phone... "Lucy sighed, putting her hands over her face and throwing her head back on the edge of the tub.
Between the crack of her fingers she glanced at it and debated whether to get up and go get it, giving up on the beautiful bath, or suffer the never ending torment of a vibrating stupid phone. Sighing heavily the sad blonde came out of the tub and after she picked up the phone she gasped in surprise. Her mailbox was more than spammed. 150 new messages.
"... 150 m-m-m-messages? ...?!" Lucy said chocking on her saliva. With huge red eyes she scrolled down to see that the same person has sent a new message every 1 minute. The last at 12:57. It read:
-Tomorrow at school, I'll kill you.
Natsu.-
Lucy gulped audibly, knowing by now that the boy wasn't joking around. And strangely enough, she could feel the seriousness and his angry green eyes staring furiously at her through the phone.
"F-fuck ..."
Back to Natsu:
I have to get home and take a shower! Do I seriously stink? The boy thought as he quickly ran, sniffing his scarf. When he got home he once again ignored the little girl who came to greet him with a pot full of soup.
"Sorry Wendy, I'll talk to ya later, I have to take a shower no-! Ah wait! "Natsu shouted, but suddenly stopped in his track to turn on his heels and go over to Wendy.
"Do you think I stink?" He asked, looking seriously in her big light brown eyes.
"….N-n-no. W-what makes you think that? You took a shower before going out...have you forgotten? "The little girl answered him honestly, knitting her cute eyebrows together, confused.
"Eeeh ...Ah! You're right! Anyways, I still have to take a shower! "He grinned, thinking a bit before running like a rocket up the stairs.
"At least, today, he spoke to me. Ehehe ..." Wendy whispered, laughing slightly.
Natsu ran upstairs, on the second floor and deep down the corridor on the right was the bathroom. Entering inside the bathroom, the pink-haired boy immediately stripped out of his clothes and jumped into the shower. He cleaned his well-sculpted body numerous times and shampooed his hair at least 10 times, making it look really fluffy when he finished Wendy's shampoo.
"Natsu, You've been under the shower for an hour.. The dinner is getting cold! "Wendy said knocking on the bathroom's door.
"Ah! Right, I'll get out in a sec. "He shouted, stopping the flow of the water. Coming out of the bath, he put a towel around his waist and another one on his wet hair. Next to the sink there were 3 lockers. One that belonged to him, one to Wendy, and one to Gajeel. Yes, Gajeel.
The three of them lived alone in the house. With parents gone out of the blue, the only one to bring home money was Gajeel who worked as a mechanic. His dream was to become a singer and create the fastest car ever made. But between the two dreams he decided to fulfill before the latter one. Sometimes even Natsu worked, doing small jobs here and there, but he dreamed of becoming a firefighter so he had to finish his studies first. While Wendy was still too small to work. She devoted herself to study and do the housework, until, once an adult, she would become a great doctor. Even if you can't see it, these three guys are brothers. Well, except for Gajeel. He's their cousin.
Back to the story.
Natsu leaned down to open his drawer and take his favorite perfume. 'Everlasting flames'. It was his favorite and it reminded him of his father. Igneel.
"Natsu!"
"I'm comin'!" The called boy replied, before going back to look at his perfume.
"You stink!" Lucy's words, echoed in Natsu's mind and with a grimace, followed by a sigh, he put the perfume back in place and left the bathroom taking his scarf with him.
"I'm here."
"Good. I did-Kyaaaaaa! "Wendy yelled turning away from Natsu while she covered her flushed face.
"What's wrong, Wendy?!"
"W-w-w-wear something!"
"Hmm?" Natsu said looking down.
"But I'm already wearin' this, see? God, Wendy, I thought ya were-Ouch!" Natsu yelled as something bit his foot. Looking down he saw Wendy's cat, Charle, attached to his right foot.
"Charle! Why the heck did ya bite me!? "
"Meow, meow meoooow! "The cat meowed angrily almost as if she had an answer ready for him.
"Let me guess. Its because I'm only wearin' a towel, right? "
"Meow! "
"Sigh, okay, okay. I'll go put something on. Geez, what a pain the ass... "Natsu sighed, raising his hands in defense before turning on his heels and going upstairs to his room and get some baggy sweat pants that he always wore at home, without putting on a shirt. And since he was there, he threw his scarf over the bed not noticing the presence of a living fur ball sleeping over there.
"Aye!"
"Oh, sorry Happy!" Natsu said, moving his scarf and smiling down at his oddly blue cat that looked like he was smiling back at him. His meowing sounded awfully more like and 'aye' than a 'meow' but he didn't care about what the others thought about him. After all, this cat was like a brother to him.
Walking downstairs with his right hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone, the boy looked up when he heard the front door open. He saw Gajeel entering the house and asked:
"Yo, how's it goin'? Ya destroyed another machine today? "
"Grr! Shut it, salamander. It was a fuckin' horrible day. "Gajeel growled, taking off his cap and putting it on the coat rack.
"Hmmm? What happened? "The pink-haired boy asked, disinterested, while he pressed some buttons on his phone before smiling like an idiot.
"Ugh, a conceited bag of golden shit came today and told us to repair his 'limo', and paint it in fuckin' WHITE within tonight. And what he brought us was nothing but a bunch of rubbish! Like car, like driver! "Said the angry boy throwing one of his military boots near the entrance.
"yeah, yeah sure. I agree ... Why won't ya answer me?" Natsu said, whispering the last sentence as he stared at his phone with worried eyes.
"Oi! If you don't wanna listen, then don't fucking ask what happened in the first place! Stupid ass monkey!"
"Haaaah!? What did ya say windshield wiper?! "
"Oh, I see you're here too Gajeel-kun. Come on, let's eat!"Wendy cheered, stopping perhaps another fight between the 2 teenagers.
"What about you, hot head? What have ya done?" Gajeel asked going towards the fridge and taking a cool bottle of water.
"Well, almost nothing. I went out with frozen head to pick up some stuff, we met Luce, I spent some time with her, caught Erza going out with that Jellal freak, oh and I'm sure she's gonna kill me tomorrow, anyway, I ran for my life and I got Luce's number. Nothing more..." He said nonchalantly, staring all the time at his phone. There was a short silence before Gajeel choked on the water he drank and spit everything on Charle.
"Meow! Hisss!" The cat hissed, standing on the tips of her paws with a murderous look in her eyes.
"Charle!"
"Woah, sorry Wendy, I didn't do that on purpose! I-i-in any case, what did ya say, ash brains?" The over-surprised boy asked, raising his voice and turning towards Natsu who was laughing his ass off, like a lunatic with his face tilted towards the ceiling as one hand hold his exposed belly. He was hovering on his chair before slamming against the kitchen cabinets behind him.
"Y-you've got Blondie's number!?"
"Yes!"
"And how did ya get it!?"
"I just took her phone from her pocket and looked out for her number."
"No way...Soooo, she didn't give it to ya?"
"No?" Natsu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sigh, and to say that I thought something interesting would have happen in your shitty life..."
"What do ya mean by shitty life, tin can!?"
"Umm ..." The little girl said, capturing the boys' attention.
"Who is Blondie-san?"
"Blondie ...-san? Ahhahaha. "Natsu asked, before laughing like before, followed soon after by Gajeel.
"Blondie is a hot chick who knocked out with a simple kick that loser over there."
"Haha, yeah-Wait, WHAT? Hey!" The angry teen shouted, glaring at the black-haired smirking boy.
"What do you mean?" Wendy asked, tilting her head, confused.
"Wendy, me and Lucy, are...Umm...G-good friends?... Y-yeah! Good friends!"
"Then her name is Lucy-san?"
"Yes."
"Woah ..." Wendy said, testing the name on her tongue.
"It sounds... so sweet and loving..."
"Pff! It's a shame that the girl is a real bitch-."
"Meow!" Charle meowed, angrily, when Gajeel cursed.
"Why?" The little girl asked innocently, while she was trying to keep her cat at bay in her arms. The 2 guys stood in silence looking at themselves thoughtfully.
"No ..." Natsu started to say, crossing his arms over his chest, looking at the ground with a troubled look.
"It's hard to explain unless you see her with your own eyes, I guess..." Gajeel finished the other boy's sentence, scratching his chin while looking up at the ceiling.
"Hmm ..?" Wendy tilted her head again, now, more confused than before.
"Thanks for the food, Wendy. Amazing as usual!"Natsu cheered, raising to his feet.
"Eeheh, t-thank you."
"I'm goin' to my room. G' night people!" The boy said, pointing with his thumb towards the door and waving slightly at Wendy.
"Tomorrow I need help in the workshop." Gajeel stated seriously, chewing on his bread.
"You can count on me." The pink-haired boy shouted, jumping every 2 stairs before running into his room, locking it behind him. Turning on the lights he saw the mayhem.
"Ugh ... I really need to clean this shit ... Nah, tomorrow..." Natsu whispered, going to his 'desk' overfilled with untouched books, loads of manga and some sexy magazines that Gray loaned him and never returned back. Writing 'tomorrow do the cleaning' and attaching the post-it on the wall, next to a thousand others who said the same thing, he did a run for it towards his bed and jumped on it, bouncing Happy in the air with an 'aye', as he grinned at him.
"Ehehe, sorry buddy, I'm too happy to realize what I'm doing."
"Aye?" The cat meowed, tilting his head cutely, confused by what the teen said.
"You see, I sent this message... ok, these messages, but they're only a few! (32) To this, damn fine chick named Lucy. God, she's so beautiful ... "
"Aye!"
"Ehehe. You agree, even if you've never seen her before? "
" Aye! "The cat meowed again, trying to climb up Natsu's leg and slipping down on his bare chest.
"But, anyway, there's something bothering me... "Natsu said looking seriously at his phone.
"I''ve been texting her all the time, yet she won't answer any of them... You think she's went to bed?" Natsu asked, looking at the clock on his bedside table.
11:45.
"Well ..." The boy looked at the phone again and wrote another message. Then another. Then one more, again. And another, again and again. In other words, he spent an hour writing messages.
At first, the messages were shy, like:
-Hey, did you get home? ;)
Your awesome Natsu :D-
Or sometimes worried:
-Ummm, Luce? You got home, right? If yes, call me or give me a message ... Let me know.
Awesome Natsu :( -
Romantic:
-I see, so you don't like short messages, eh? Then, listen here: The sky is full of many bright stars. They are the humans' greatest lovers, and the brightest star out there is you. ;) What do you think?
Your Natsu ;) -
God, Natsu even tried using his brain to write that sentence, until smoke came out of his ears. But the messages became more and more worried and angry.
-Luce, are ya there, yes or no? Call me at least!
Awesome Natsu -
-Lucy! Why the heck did you rejected my call?! Answer me before I come to your house and break your fuckin' door!
Awesome Natsu.-
-Lucy. This is the last warning if you don't call me within 30 sec. I'll make you see what real hell looks like!
Awesome Natsu.-
-Tomorrow at school, I'll kill you.
Natsu.-
The desperate teen threw his phone somewhere in the room pissed off, scaring the hell out of Happy. Throwing himself back in bed, Natsu laid on his side and turned the lamp off by punching it. I mean, destroying it. Well, he... turned it off in his own way.
"Fucking Blondie ..." The pink-haired boy cursed, scowling and trying to fall asleep. When suddenly the phone rang and his eyes shot wide open.
"I-Is it my imagination ...?"
"You've got a message! You're got a message! "Said his phone's ringtone. Suddenly Natsu removed his blanket and tried to jump out of bed, but his legs got entwined in the blanket, so he lost his balance and fell face first on the floor.
"Fuuuuu- shit!" Natsu 'screamed' trough his teeth angrily. Slapping a hand over his mouth he remembered what hour it was. Slowly raising to his feet, he walked towards where he launched his phone.
"Where the fuckis it?!" He quietly cursed, looking desperately after the hidden object in the dark.
What was the use of having an amazing hearing if he couldn't find the things he's searching for!? He wondered while he threw random things in air over his shoulder.
"Ugh ... B-bingo!" He kind of shouted, raising his phone in the air, strangely still intact. (maybe it was a Nokia. O.o) With the moonlight seeping through his window's curtains, Natsu read his new message.
From: Luce
-I'm sorry. I was in the bathroom ...
Lucy.-
Natsu's eyes filled up with happiness. His lips' corners turned up in a smile and then in a big grin.
"You've got a message, You've got a message!" His phone buzzed again and with an irked eyebrow, he opened it.
- Good night. -
"Y-y-y ..." The sleepless young teen stuttered as a small blush made it's way to his cheeks.
"YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Natsu's victorious roar woke up Gajeel and Wendy from their sleep, as well as the entire neighborhood ...along with many cars and some near shops' security systems.