I changed the point of view from 1st person, to third. Sorry, but I think it's better this way!
Oh, and I know Lucy's birthday is on July 1, but for this story it is on July 6.
As for the year of Natsu and Lucy meeting again, in the manga/anime they met in x784. For the sake of the plot, they meet in x787. The seven years on the island never happened. So having the GMG show up here makes sense. Just pretend that I didn't screw the ages and years up and we're good to go!
Ages: Natsu- 19 Lucy- 17
Italics=flashbacks
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail (shocker)
Edited 10 March 2015
Present day Magnolia- x787
Almost ten years to the day had pasted since the last time Natsu saw Lucy, Happy, Layla, and Igneel. Around this time of year, the dragon slayer would always make himself comfortable at the corner of Fairy Tail's bar. The day before the anniversary, he would visit the towns that had rumors of dragons or beast roaming around in the woods in hopes of finding his long lost friends.
Natsu sighed and dragged a rough hand down his face. It was also around this time his nightmares made an appearance. Memories of the horrible day grabbed him in a tight hold, never allowing him to wake up and escape the horrors of that night. Even thinking about the event made shivers go down his spine.
Natsu watched as Happy, Cancer and Lucy enter the forest. Watching them leave almost physically hurt him. However he knew it was for the best. Natsu never wanted them to get hurt.
"Layla," Igneel said. "Get behind us. You do not have your keys. Going into a fight like this is suicide."
"No. I will not stand behind anyone. I will fight with you." Layla said. "I am willing to die if it means Lucy is safe from Jude."
"As you wish. But do not think for a moment I am happy about this." Igneel grumbled.
Breaking the moment, a soldier came at Natsu with a spear in hand. He shouted as he got closer. Natsu jumped up and nailed the soldier in the jaw. The spear flew out of his hand and landed on the ground with a sharp cracking sound. He looked at his broken weapon, then at the boy. The soldier shot up and charged again.
"Oh hell, again?" He muttered. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" The dragon slayer went for an uppercut to the jaw. The soldier flew back and knocked out a dozen people in his path. Natsu heard a sickening snap when his back hit the tree.
After the soldier slumped to the ground he was surrounded by guards from then on out. Natsu could tell they were still going easy on him. 'They're going easy on me,' he thought. 'That will be on of their final mistakes.'
Behind Natsu, Layla and Igneel were fending off more soldiers.
"We don't want to hurt you, your Highness. So just come with us and get the princess back. We will leave these... Creatures alone." An apparent knight said to Layla. In a very un lady-like way, she stuck out her tongue.
"I will never tell you where she went! It would make your job easier for me to go with you wouldn't it? But I am never going back. Nothing would ever make me want to go back to that man I used to know."
The knight rubbed his forehead. "As you wish, my queen. You forced my hand. Men!" He yelled. "Go to plan alpha! Kill them all! But hold off on finding the princess. King Jude wants her alive." Layla gasped. Igneel and Natsu growled threateningly.
"You wouldn't dare..." Natsu said. Slowly, he walked toward them. "You wouldn't DARE!" he repeated. The angrier the pink-haired boy got, the more his power surged.
"Calm down Natsu," Igneel warned. The fighting stopped momentarily because of his sudden increase in magic. "Take control of yourself. This isn't like you. Layla will be safe, I am fine, Happy is fine, and I am sure Lucy is fine too." He tried to calm his son down.
Natsu's scarf started to glow, just like it did when Lucy was running toward the cave from the palace. The skin on his face and arms turned into small red scales. Natsu's fangs extended to where they couldn't fit into his mouth. The flames surrounding his body turned gold.
"What is this power?! Why is it coming from the brat? He is only a kid!" The knight yelled. "Hurry up! Kill the queen before he can stop us."
Layla's face paled. She looked at Natsu with a warn out look. Behind her, the knight ran forward, his sword swinging towards the queen's neck.
"Tell Lucy I love her Natsu," Layla's voice was desperate. "Take care of her. Stop Jude before its to-"
She never got to finish before she was beheaded.
Natsu's vision turned red when he saw her head lay beside her lifeless body. The fire dragon and his son let out a deafening roar. Tears feel down their scaly cheeks.
"You," he pointed a finger at the knight. "You killed her. You KILLED ONE OF MY PRECIOUS PEOPLE." Behind me he heard Igneel mumble a low 'Good luck. Go find Lucy'
Then his world went red.
The dragon slayer sighed and slumped in his chair. Just thinking about it made him want to cry. Never being able to forget the worst night of you life left a mental wound that could possibly never heal. Natsu drowned his glass of whiskey in one shot. The burn of the alcohol was slightly comforting. It was the only thing that could burn him, if only a little.
"Oi, Flame brain! Fight me," Gray yelled. Nastu rolled his eyes. A low growl of annoyance almost escaped the back of his throat.
"What's your problem?" the ice mage asked. "Lately you have been so depressed I think you aren't Natsu anymore."
Natsu laughed darkly. "Believe it or not, this is one of my better days, ice princess. Plus I am in a way better mood when I am around... certain people who aren't you. "
"Then who are these wondrous people? Hmm?" Gray slammed his hand on the bar, shaking the ice in Natsu's empty glass.
"Get your fucking face out of my sight, stripper." Natsu ignored Gray's question and motioned for Mira to get him another drink.
"What is wrong, Natsu? You're drinking a lot today," Mira asked him.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied smoothly. Natsu thanked the barmaid as she handed him his glass.
"Are you thinking about a girl?" Mira asked.
Natsu choked on his drink causing an ice cube to go down the wrong hole. "N-no its not a girl!" Natsu could feel his cheeks go pink in embarrassment.
Mira laughed at his expression. "Well," she said softly. "Whoever you are thinking about sure is lucky. What more could a person ask for if they have people that care about them thinking about them all the time?"
"You couldn't ask for more," he mumbled
"Natsu! Guess what I caught?" Lucy cheered. Natsu turned to see a fish bigger than her on her fishing line.
"Wow Luce! You are better than us!" he cheered.
"You are lucky, Lucy!" Happy said from behind them.
The trio laughed.
"Natsu!" Mira yelled. He snapped out of his trance. "Master wants to see you." Natsu groaned. He knew it was only a matter of time before he got his intervention.
"Natsu, in my office." The master, Makarov, said.
Groaning, Natsu sluggishly made his way up the stair case to the master's office.
Makarov motioned for him to take a seat while he took his behind his desk. After a quiet moment, he spoke.
"Judging by the look on your face you know why you're here, brat. the whole guild is worried about you. Before, we just assumed you were just being mopey like Gajeel and Wendy are around the time when their dragons disappeared like yours. A few years ago it occurred to me and a few others that losing Igneel wasn't the only thing that happened to you," the old man sighed. "Your guild mates want to help you. They do not like seeing you depressed like this."
The tension in the room was thick. Slowly Natsu let out a sigh. In one swift motion he pulled out a set of gold keys out of his pocket. Makarov gasped.
"Why do you have these? Only a spirit mage can you them and a spirit mage you are not."
Natsu grumbled, "If I, or someone I know, couldn't use them why would I have them?"
When Lucy was about six, Layla started to train Lucy in Celestial Sprit Magic. While she knew Lucy did not have the magic power required to open a gate yet, she knew learning the fundamentals of summoning was important for her to learn at a young age. So when the royal blondes visited Natsu and Igneel, she would teach her magic. Natau insisted on knowing how to summon spirits also. It was the only way Layla could get him to calm down when she was teaching.
"You know a Celestial Spirit mage huh? Your friend is pretty rare then," he said. Natsu stared confusedly at Makarov.
"Why, Gramps?"
"Because," he said, "Celestial magic is a lost art. Almost all spirit mages are either dead, or have had their keys taken away by power hungry dark guilds. Some of the last known key bearers were Karen from Blue Pegasus, Yukino from Sabertooth, and Queen Layla. Rumors, though, about her missing daughter being a Celestial Mage are still there." He paused. "What is your friends name?"
Natsu hesitated. "Her name is Lucy. We have known each other since I was with Igneel." A fond smile grew on the young man's face.
"Lucy..." Makarov motioned for him to continue but Natsu shook his head. "Ah, sorry brat."
"It's fi-" Natsu stopped. His scarf started to glow red. He gasped, his chest tightened.
"What is wrong with your scarf?" Master asked worriedly. Natsu froze before running out of Makarov's office.
At the top of the stairs, a key start to glow on the key ring in Natsu's hand. Leo's key shined a second longer before it dulled and a person materialized out of thin air. He had spiky orange hair. He was wearing a black suit and glasses.
"What do you want you over grown cat?" He growled. "Nobody can see you!"
"I sensed negative emotion coming from you when you touched my key. What is wrong?" Loke glanced down at Natsu's red scarf.
"She's hurt. Something's wrong! My scarf hasn't done this since-"
"Natsu? Is that you?" The panicking dragon slayer and the spirit turned their heads toward the door. Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief
"Ouch! Happy, you don't have to drop me at the entrance of every guild do you? Aw man, I think it's bleeding!" Lucy whined.
Happy grabbed her backpack that was dropped and whimpered. "Sorry, Lucy, but you're just so heavy!" Happy moaned.
Lucy rolled her eyes and bit back a retort as she tended to her wound. It was a long cut on the side of her left calf. "It's not too deep..." She mumbled to herself. In truth, it wasn't to shallow either. Blood gushed out of the cut whenever she touched. Wincing, she stood on her feet.
"Ok Happy, there is only one more guild, after this, to check out if he isn't here."
"I don't think Natsu is here." He said. "I keep getting a playboy kind of vibe from this place," Happy shivered. Lucy motioned for him to quit flying and get into her arms.
"We wouldn't want people to get freaked out by a blue talking cat flying around. So, we can freak them out less by just a talking blue cat. Come on!" She pushed open the doors to the guild. It was quiet. Too quiet for Natsu's standards in her opinion. He was always very loud.
"Welcome to Blue Pegasus miss! How may I help you?" Lucy almost screamed at the person behind the bars appearance. He-if that- was bald and kind of fat. It had on a pink tank top and striped pants. The tank top had a low neck line that reviled sagging man boobs and chest hair. It's face looked like a males, but it had on lipstick. Small wings could be found on its back.
"Hello, I was wondering if you could help me find something, well someone," Lucy asked nervously.
"Of course! I am Master Bob. Nice to meet you. Now, who are you looking for. If its someone from this guild, I am afraid they are probably out on a job. If you are looking for the Trimens, they should be back soon..."
"Oh, no. I am looking for a man with pink hair, who wears a white scaly scarf and who uses fire magic that isn't sold on stores. Do you know of anybody?"
He stood there for a moment in thought. "Are you perhaps looking for Natsu-san? If so, he is at a guild about a night away by train. The guild is called Fairy Tail in Magnolia."
Lucy gave a small smile. "Yeah, that's him. I heard Fairy Tail is really rowdy; just the atmosphere he would be in."
"Aye! I told you it wouldn't be here!" Happy said from her lap. Master Bob looked around.
"What was that?" He asked. Lucy blushed a little.
"Oh I forgot! This is Happy the exceed. He has been traveling with me."
"Aye!" Happy shot up from her lap and into the air. She yelled at him to get down, but to no avail. 'Doesn't he remember we dont show people he can fly?!' She wondered. Lucy tried to reach him from her seat on the stool, but fell and hurt her leg again.
"Oh dear! You're hurt. Let me help you with your leg. How did you get such a wound?" Master Bob rushed over to her aid. As he tried to unwrap her leg, she pushed him away.
"It's ok. I just got dropped and slid on gravel. You don't need to help me. Watch," Lucy got up and sat back down.
Happy flew down from the rafters and sat next to her. "I'm sorry."
"I know Happy. But it's ok because my necklace can help." She smiled at the cat.
Lucy pulled the necklace out from under her shirt. She unclasped it and murmured softly to the golden ruby. After a few seconds, the room lit up in a soft golden light. Inside the heart, a little dragon formed for the fire. Lucy placed the pendant on her leg. A magic circle surrounded her calf as swirls if fire passed through her wound.
Master Bob could only stare in wonder. "W-where did you get something like that? It's absolutely beautiful Lucy-chan!"
"Natsu," was her only reply.
Master Bob clasped his hands together. "Who knew Nastu-kun could make something so beautiful?" Hearts flew around his head.
"Natsu-" Happy started.
"-kun?" Lucy said, trying to hide her disgust in her voice.
The duo stayed at the guild a little longer before having to leave.
"Be careful. Tell Natsu-kun I said hello!"
Lucy's sweat dropped. "Will do. Happy! Can you carry me to the train station. It's getting dark and my wound is just sealed. I didn't want to do the whole healing process. Maybe when I get to Fairy Tail, Natsu can finish it for me."
"Aye sir!" Happy grabbed her shirt and they headed to the train station.
Lucy and Happy groaned as the speakers blared in Magnoila Station. It was about two in the morning and they had been woken up rather rudely. Some guy pushed her off of her seat and told her to get off.
"Commmee onn Happy," Lucy slurred. "Let's find an inn to stay at. After Lunch time, we will go to the guild."
"Aye," he yawned. "sir." Happy climbed from her arms to her neck to sleep.
Some time later, Lucy found a room. When she was handed they key, Happy woke up some to fly her slugging body to the room. The second their heads hit the bed, they were out like a light.
The morning could not come soon enough for Lucy.
"Come on Happy! I want to get there as soon as possible," Lucy was practically hopping toward the bathroom to change she was so excited.
"Aye! I will start packing up a bit. How's your leg?" He asked.
"As long as I don't do anything to reopen the wound, I should be fine until Natsu can help me." Lucy replied. She saw him nod as she closed the bathroom door.
Since today is a special day, she decided she would wear the dress Happy got her for her birthday last year. Don't ask how he got it, because she had no clue. Lucy was going to save it so she could wear it on her birthday in three days, but chose not to.
The dress looked very similar to the one she wore the last time Natsu saw her. The only difference was the neckline was way lower. She kept her hair the same way she had on her seventh birthday. After changing her bandages and grimacing over the cut, she walked out to Happy.
"You ready?" She asked. He flew around happily before landing on her head.
"Let's go!"
Their journey to the guild wasn't that far, but it took forever because it was tourist season. People taking pictures, laughing, blocking the streets, this is an atmosphere Lucy loved. She loved others getting along. It had always pleased her. Of course, the only was she really learned to love a friendly atmosphere was from her time with Natsu, Happy, Igneel, and her mother.
A couple of times she got lost in the big town, but the friendly citizens got her back on track. In no time, she could see the guild.
"I see the guild! Lets go!" Lucy started running. However, she didn't see a hole in the pavement. Before Happy could catch her, she fell, sliding again.
"Lucy! Are you ok?" He was really worried now. This was the third time she has fallen on this wound. He needed to get her to the guild and fast.
"I am fine. My leg just feels like it could fall off, but I'm good." She said sarcastically. Happy opened up his wings and grabbed her dress.
"We're almost there. Hang on." Happy said.
At the doors, he stood her up. "Can you stand? Even for a minute?" He asked. Lucy nodded.
"Yeah. Lets do it." She opened the door.
This guild had a much more lively and friendly aura about it than the ones she had been to prior. Everyone was laughing and using magic for games. Though there was a fight starting in the back, it wasn't serious.
When she started limping in, some observed her, others kept laughing. It was hard to hear conversations she noticed. The only one she could hear was from two voices coming from the stairs.
"-negative emotion coming from you when you touched my key. What is wrong?" a orange-haired male said from the top of the stair case.
"She's hurt. Something's wrong! My scarf hasn't done this since-" Happy and Lucy's eyes widened. That voice sounded so familiar. It almost sounded like...
"Natsu? Is that you?" Lucy asked.
As he made eye contact with her, his eyes widened. "Lucy..."