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Dear Mamma,
This year has been one of the best in my life. I met Natsu and his guild. I love my new nakama. They care about me for me. Well, the only part of me that they know of. They celebrated my birthday; even though they only knew me for three days. Fairy Tail is the best!
I figured out what that mark on my key pouch that Igneel gave me was. It was the guilds symbol oddly enough. Do you think Igneel could've planned this? Who knows.
As I was saying, I love Fairy Tail. Though, about three months after I joined, my past caught up with me. He was there, Mamma. That's right. Your murderer: Takao. He came looking for me and Natsu stopped him. I wasn't there when it happened. I was in the library thank god. From what I heard from Gray, before Erza knocked him out, was that, excuse my French, Natsu went apeshit on Takao. Gajeel said he was trying to kill him. From what I saw, Natsu was very close to success. Takao was barely breathing when the master kicked him and his men out. I am so thankful I didn't get caught.
But, it got better. I was one of the ten chosen to participate in the Grand Magic Games (GMG). For the past three months, my team, Fairy Tail team A, have been training. I can now open four gates without breaking a sweat. The fifth one is kind of tricky, but I am handling it. I can also now control my necklace. It has more power than I originally thought. With Natsu's help, we discovered spells that can attack and protect me and whoever I choose. I also figured out fire doesn't burn me anymore! It never really has once I think about it...
Anyway... All of the Fairy Tail mages have improved greatly. Erza's armor changes are faster than ever before. Wendy's attacks have gotten greater and her healing powers have gotten stronger. Gray's ice make magic has also improved. And Natsu, his power has almost tripled. He had been working with Gajeel and Wendy to improve their Dragon Slayer magic. They're all so close to dragon force, I can literally feel their power grow around them. All of them are so amazing! You and Igneel would be so proud of Natsu right now. I know I really am. The whole guild is.
I better go now Mamma. The train is about to be in Crocus. This really brings me back... Most of my experience here isn't so good, so I shouldn't think about it.
I miss you Mamma, we all do. I will write again each day of the games.
~Love,
Your Lucky Lucy.
...
Lucy stamped on the wax seal and placed the letter in her letter box. Currently, her and some of her fellow guild mates were in a private car, packing up. Natsu was laying on the day bed hanging his head out of the window. Lucy giggled at his face. It was green and puffy with sweat running down his neck.
"Lucy," Erza said. "Are you ready to get off? The conductor is almost at our car," she said. Lucy nodded and grabbed her and Natsu's bags. Surprisingly, Natsu brought a bigger bag than her. It was heavy, so he probably brought his rock collection with him.
When the train came to a complete stop, Natsu jumped out of his funk. He grabbed his pack and his bag from Lucy. "I am REVIVED!" He screamed.
"Aye!" Happy cheered. Lucy giggled.
"Come on! Lets see the city. Where are we anyway?" Natsu scratched his head in confusion.
"You seriously don't know where we are?" Carla rolled her eyes.
"Pathetic,"
"Carla!" Wendy scolded.
"Wow flame brain. We're in Crocus. Ya know, the Capitol city?" Gray snorted in annoyance.
"What'd you call me stripper?" Natsu got in Gray's face.
"Clean the ash out of your ears! I called you flame brain Baka!"
"Ice princess,"
"Pyro,"
"Droopy eyes,"
"Squinty eyes,"
"That's it! I'm gonna-"
"Boys!" Erza's voice boomed. "Are we fighting?"
"N-no! We're just being friends!" The stuttered at the same time.
Lucy and Wendy walked around them to get out of the train car. The platform was packed with mages from all around Fiore. Children were running around, trying to find their parents while others were just fighting. Some of the mages there Lucy recognized immediately. There was Quattro Cerberus, who was howling after yelling "WILD..." "FOUR!" Sadly, Twilight Ogre was there, snickering at something in the corner. They could also spot out Mermaid Heel and Blue Pegasus.
"Oh," a familiar voice called. "Lucy-san! I see you found Fairy Tail?" Lucy turned around to see Master Bob, looking as strange as always.
"Hello, Master Bob. Yes I did find Fairy Tail. Thank you for all your help. Me and Happy really appreciated it. Are you here for the games?" Lucy asked.
Master Bob put his hand on his check and blushed. "Of course we are Lucy-san! This year, the Trimens and Jenny are participating. Isn't that wonderful? Now, who is with you?"
"Oh! Pardon me, this is Wendy," Wendy mumbled a greeting. "Erza, Gray, and Natsu are on Fairy Tail team A. We have a team B, but you will meet them soon," Lucy motioned over toward the train.
"Natsu-kun will be here? This is a very unexpected surprise. Where is he so I can say... Hello?" Master Bob looked frantically around to try to catch a glimpse of pink hair. As if on cue, the rest of Team A stepped off the train. Of course, Natsu was in front with a bump on his head and Happy on his shoulders.
"Hey Luce!" Natsu waved at her and Wendy. He paled slightly when he saw Bob with hearts floating around his head.
"Hello Natsu-kun! It's been too long!" Bob tried to hug him, but Natsu ran and his behind the girls.
"Not long enough apparently," Natsu mumbled.
Bob was about to reply, only to be interrupted by the rest of Fairy Tail getting off of the train. Master Makarov was leading the pack when walking to the station exit. Each member had a bag with them, some bigger than others.
"Oh my," Bob whispered. "We better get going. I will see you later Natsu-kun!" He hovered off with only Jenny following. Bob turned around in wonder. "Where are-?"
"You look beautiful today, Miss Lucy," a guy with strawberry blonde hair said.
"Beautiful is an understatement," a blonde kid said.
"How can you be so damn fashionable?" The talk, dark, and handsome man asked Lucy. Lucy blushed.
"Men! Quit being rude. Introduce yourselves," a voice said.
"I am Hundred Night Hibiki."
"I am Holy Night Eve."
"And I am Silent Night Ren."
"I am Ichiya. And we are... The Trimens! Now to more pressing issues. Erza, I have longed to see you my honey,"
3...2...1...
"MY HONEY?!" Happy and Lucy screamed.
"I vigorously deny everything!" Erza sputtered.
Natsu was about to laugh. About to. The only thing that was holding him back was the lustful stares Lucy and Wendy were getting from those playboys. The itching feeling on Natsu's neck told him he had to stop that first. He didn't know why, but he had that sudden urge...
"Come on Luce! Lets go look around. This place has really changed since we were here last," he tied to draw her attention away from them. It worked.
"Ok! I really wanted to check out this magic shop and book store, if its ok with you," Lucy started walking away, leaving a group of disappointed guys behind her.
"Lucy-san!" Wendy called. "Your luggage! What do you want is to do with it?"
"Can you take it back to the inn for me?" Lucy asked.
"Hai!"
"Just remember," Erza said. "Be back at the inn by midnight or we will be disqualified!"
"Right!" The couple yelled while running off.
...
"Ooo, Natsu look at this! Doesn't it look like a dragon?" Lucy held up a little glass figurine from a street vendor's cart.
"It does look like one! But it's blue. Why not red?" Natsu crosses his arms. Happy rolled his eyes.
"Not every dragon is red silly," Lucy giggled. They walked along the street as the sun started to set.
Crocus really had changed. The streets were wider, the stores were bigger, and the flowers didn't look as bright. The people have also changed. Sometimes people changing was good, but not in this case. Shop owners were pickier about their clientele than she had ever seen before. The magic shops looked bare compared to a while back. They only had most of the common stuff found in every magic shop in Fiore. Nothing exciting there.
The only thing that has gotten better, was the river street cafés. The edge of the river, was lined with little restaurants and bakery's. Natsu and Happy's mouth started to water at the smell.
"Oh my god," Natsu moaned. "This place smells delicious!"
"Aye sir!" Happy drooled.
Lucy could feel her sweat drop. She giggled. "Well pick a place to eat. I will buy, but you need to be careful on how much you eat. I still want to get to the book and one magic store before they close,"
"I'll just buy then. Lets go to this one. The food smells the best," Natsu pointed a café with outdoor only seating. It was close to the water, with only a wrought iron fence separating land from river. The setting sun gave it a sorta romantic feel to it. Lucy could already feel the blush coming to the surface.
"O-ok," she stuttered. Natsu gave her one of his signature breathtaking smiles.
"Come on!" With one tug, she was sprinting toward the café.
...
"That was a good meal. Thank you Natsu," Lucy hugged him and Happy when they were finished.
"No problem!" He smiled. Thank god it was dark so she couldn't see him blush. "Where to next? Books, or magic?"
"The book store is closer. Lets go there," she grabbed his hand and walked toward the shop.
Lucy was far from disappointed when she opened the doors. Hundreds, no thousands of books lined the tall book shelves. All new looking, with hardly and dust on their spines.
"This is amazing!" Lucy squealed in delight. Happy and Natsu gave her unintentional dirty looks. "What?"
"How could you like these things? They aren't even fish!" Happy threw his hands up in defeat.
"Well, you certainly like them when I read them to you," she countered.
"Touché, touché..." Happy muttered.
Lucy smirked.
"Yeah, yeah. I think I am going to look around some. I should be back in a few minutes. Happy stay with Luce while I am gone." Natsu tucked his hands behind his head and walked out of the store.
...
The air around him was cool and thick as he walked down the suspiciously quiet streets. Wasn't this place packed just ten minutes ago? An ominous aura floated around the dark streets in waves. So, to say the least, he was on edge. The bad feelings didn't stop there, for some reason he felt like he was being watched. But when he would turn around to look, nobody would be there. Just the inky blackness of the alleyways were there to greet him.
"Hello young lad. Care to spare a Jewel or two for a glimpse to the future?" A scratchy old woman voice said from somewhere in the darkness. "Come on now, I won't bite."
With a snap of his fingers, a warm light enveloped the space. At the entrance to the alley on his right, was a very short old woman with a purple turban on her head. She was dressed in a red cloak with gold swirling patterns decorating the exterior. Her eyes were small and black from what he could tell. Little wisps of silver hair escaped her turban and covered her face.
Natsu cautiously took a step closer to the small woman. "Who are you?"
"My name is not important right now. For all you need to know is the future. Come now, sit," she said.
Natsu took a step back, only to be brought froth by the snap of her fingers. "H-hey! What was that for you old hag?" Natsu yelled and crossed his arms.
"Now, now child. No need to be so cruel with your words. I have only done that to give you a glimpse of what is to come,"
"Yeah, yeah, you've said that already. If your going to do something, do it fast. My friends are waiting on me," Natsu snapped.
The old woman furrowed her brow in concentration. A second later, the crystal ball that was in front of her started to glow. At first the picture was hazy, but then it cleared. Natsu could make out a figure of a screaming Lucy being carried over someone's shoulder. Her pretty face was a sickening combination of black and blue with streams of red falling down around her. Natsu's eyes widened in fright.
"H-how could this happen?" He whispered.
"I could add sound if you like. Only you could hear it though. I will warn you, what has been heard, cannot be unheard."
Natsu nodded. Looking back on it, he wished he couldn't hear it.
Inside the globe...
"Natsu!" Lucy gave a blood curtailing scream.
"Quiet princess," her captor sneered. "That little matchstick won't be here to save you,"
"No. You're lying! NATSU!" Lucy screamed again.
The man carrying her gripped her tighter and pulled her off his shoulder. Lucy looked up at him with fear filled eyes.
"Your friend is dead. D.E.A.D. Nobody is going to save you now so shut up you stupid bitch!" The man roared.
"Natsu. No no no no, not Natsu. He and Happy were all I had left. NATSU COME BACK!" Tears came out of her eyes like a waterfall. The man slapped her. She cried out in even more pain.
"God why won't you shut up?!" He pushed her to the ground and kicked her repeatedly until she was unconscious. "Great. Now the boss is going to be mad at me. Lets just be thankful we can restore that pretty little face of yours," he then again picked her up and the screen went black.
Out of the globe...
Natsu fell off his chair in shock. All of those things happening to Lucy... How? And he couldn't be dead! Right? Natsu had no time to figure this out. Quickly, he sprung up and headed for the book shop. Behind him, he could barely hear the old woman.
"You poor soul. That isn't even a small portion of the pain she will suffer."
...
Natsu hurriedly ran through the again crowded streets. When he caught sight of the book store, he could see Happy and Lucy laughing at a table, waiting for him to come back so they could continue shopping. When his eyes picked up Lucy's necklace glowing brighter than usual, her eyes looked out the window and met his. When Natsu was close enough, he kicked open the door and practically leaped over chairs to get to Lucy.
"Natsu what are you-" she was cut off by his bone crushing hug. "Natsu," she whispered returning the hug. "What's wrong? You act like you just saw a person die,"
Natsu shivered. The person he saw almost died.
"I was so worried," he mumbled. Lucy drew back from him some but still clung to his scarf.
"About what?"
"Nothing that matters right now. But for the rest of the games, I will sleep in your bed and be with you all the time. Happy, you too," he almost sounded like he was at the point of tears. "Please don't ask why. Just please let me," he pleaded.
Lucy agreed. If he was scared this much about something, and he really needed her, who was she to say no?
"I think we need to go back to the inn. Can you carry me?" Lucy asked. Natsu picked her up on his back and Happy sat on his head, stroking a spot behind his ears just how he liked.
The whole walk/run back to the inn was quiet. All you could hear from them was an occasional whimper from Natsu when Lucy clung to him too tight. When they got to their teams room, Lucy got down and opened the door.
"Oi, matchstick. Where ya been?" Gray asked. Natsu flinched at the term 'matchstick'.
"What's wrong Natsu?" Erza sounded concerned as she got up from her bed and walked toward him.
"What is wrong, Natsu-san?" Wendy asked.
"I am going to bed," Natsu mumbled. He was about to his, Lucy, and Happy's shared room when Gray stuck a hand out to stop him.
"I just called you a matchstick, pyro. Why aren't you starting a fight?"
Natsu turned his head and glared at the ice Mage. In a flash, he slammed Gray's body into a coffee table. With the same venom in his voice as he used in the memory implanted in most of the guild member's heads, he growled "Don't call me matchstick. Ever. Again. Or I will burn you into ashes."
Natsu slammed his room door. Erza was about to knock some sense into him but Lucy and Happy shook their heads and headed into the room with Natsu.
"What was that for?" Erza wondered.
"Don't mess with Natsu for the next few days," Carla mumbled from the corner.
"Why?"
"Because his world is about to change. He knows it for a fact. Don't get in his way or pick fights for a while,"
"Again, why?" Erza snapped.
"Because! He saw something that would screw anyone up. Don't ask what it is because I won't tell. All I know is, is that Natsu's foes in the games don't stand a chance with him like this," Carla left them with that.
...
Me: Ok! Thats a wrap people!
Natsu: Finally you post this! Why would you keep them waiting?
Me: *sigh* You know why. That asshole I have to translate for keeps failing his English class and I have to spend my time tutoring him.
Gajeel: There is another reason and I like this one, Gi-hee.
Me: Of course you would. I got detention because I punched a guy in the nose and broke it. What? He called my best friend fat. I was not having that crap.
Natsu: At least the people get a new chapter next week! Right?
Me: No. I am going to update my other story. Sorry, no chapter next week!
Lucy: WHAT?! Come on! Seriously?
Me: Whale aren't you moody today? *starts stupid argument*
Wendy, Gajeel, Natsu: TIVANALUKICK4EVS DOES NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL! *gets caught in argument also*
