Location: Unknown
Date: Unknown
"I honestly thought that we weren't going to make out", Gray said as he continued to drive us down the sandy desert.
"Yeah me too but I'm glad we did", I said as I took a glance at Laxus's knocked out body right behind me.
"When do you think he's going to wake up?", I asked as I shook Laxus gently.
"Probably not for a long time, he took quite a beating back there", Gray responded while keeping his eyes on the road.
"Yeah I guess you're right. So where are we going exactly?", I asked as I looked up at the night sky above of us. It was starting to get really dark outside and we still didn't know where we were.
"Anywhere that has a radio or some sort of communication device. We have to inform Captain Scarlet about all of this".
"I can't wait until we do because I can't wait to smash that masked man's face to a pulp! I swear that I'll make him pay for what he has done to us!", I growled as I lit my fists on fire.
"Can you not do that in the car! You're going to blow us up!"
"Oh yeah sorry I got a little carried away there", I apologised as I lowered my fists back down.
We continued to drive in silence until Gray stopped the car.
"Why did you stop the car?"
"Because I think it's better for us to drive when the sun's' out. So let's camp right here for the night".
"You think that's a good idea?", I asked as I checked our surroundings.
"Yes, and anyways I'm really tired so I could use a little bit of sleep".
"YOU'RE GOING TO SLEEP!"
"Yeah do you have a problem with that?"
"No it's just I don't think it's safe to be unguarded out here. We should be alert and focused who knows if the Red Death is looking for us".
"Then would you mind guarding me while I sleep", Gray asked as he started to put his head down on the steering wheel.
"I WANT TO SLEEP TOO! I'm super tired from fighting you guys!", I yelled at Gray.
I waited for him to make a remark but instead all I heard was snoring.
"Dammit! I guess I'm taking watch", I said to myself as I sat on the car's hood.
"This isn't fair! I deserve to sleep!", I pouted as I looked up at the bright stars in the sky. They were so beautiful that I forgot all about sleeping.
They're beauty made me start to remember about a certain someone.
"Lucy….."
"I hope you're safe right now because I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you….."
"...Died"
Guilt started to fill up my chest.
"Ever since that day….. I've promised to protect you….. always"
…
May 24, 2027
Location: Somewhere off the coast of Oak Town
Mission Overview: Gray Fullbuster and Natsu Dragneel are to meetup with Lucy Heartfilia and Laxus Dreyar at the bottom of Mt. Oak. Once they have formed their four man squad they are to investigate a building up at the top of Mt. Oak.
"Alright listen up Dragneel! Mission is a go! Don't mess it up!"
"Copy that Captain!", I said to my ear piece as I picked up my assault rifle and followed Gray to the bottom of the mountain.
"Hey Gray do you know where we're supposed to meet up with those two other soldiers?"
"Are you kidding me flame head? You didn't listen in the meeting?!"
I shook my head which made Gray face palm himself.
"Captain said that they would shoot up a flare to signal us where they are at".
"Are you serious?! We have to wait?!"
Gray was about to respond until he saw the red flare up at the sky.
"Well speak of the devil, Let's move!"
"Aye sir!", I started to trail behind him as we started to make our way to the flare.
…
Once we were really close to the flare Gray raised up his right hand signaling me to stop.
"What's wrong?", I asked
"We better be on our guard these are soldiers that we haven't met before, so who know what they'll do".
"You're right", I said as I lifted my assault rifle to my face.
"On my mark we'll head out into the open"
"Alright"
"3"
"2"
"1"
"Now!"
Gray and I both ran to the flare aiming our guns all around the area. I didn't see anybody which was strange.
"I don't see anyone-
I was grabbed from behind, as the person behind me pulled a knife to my neck.
"NATSU!", Gray yelled out as he pointed his assault rifle to the person right behind me.
I couldn't tell who the person was behind me, but they sure had a good grip on me.
"WHO ARE?!", Gray yelled out as he moved slowly towards me.
"Who are you?!", a feminine voice behind me asked Gray.
Gray flinched at the question.
"I'm a soldier for Magnolia's army, now tell me who you are!"
The person behind me lowered the knife away from my neck and sighed.
"Oh! I'm really sorry about that we're part of the army too", she said with a shaky voice. I could tell that she was embarrassed.
"State your name then!", Gray said as he continued to aim the gun at her.
"Oh! Right! My name's Lucy Heartfilia!"
"My name's Laxus, Laxus Dreyar", a new deep voice came into the conversation.
"Ok! That's good", Gray sighed in relief as he lowered his gun.
"It's about time you lowered your weapon", Laxus said with a harsh voice.
A vein appeared on Gray's forehead, "That's because Lucy had a knife on Natsu!".
Laxus and Lucy both turned around to face me.
"I'm really sorry about that! I just wanted to be careful!", Lucy apologized with wide eyes. Those eyes were more beautiful than the night sky. It felt like I was being sucked into them. I didn't even notice that I was in a trance.
"Umm…. Natsu?", Lucy waved her hand in front of my face.
"Looks like you scared the boy to death", Laxus said casually making Lucy blush for some reason.
"Like I said I'm really really sorry! Please forgive me!", she started to frown which made my heart hurt. For some odd reason I didn't like seeing her sad. It felt like getting shot in the chest.
"Huh…. what?!", I said in panic as I escaped my trance.
"What did they ask me?"
"Can you repeat the question?", I said with a blush coating my cheeks.
"We didn't ask you a question", they all said in unison making me blush even harder.
"Oh so what were you guys talking about then?"
"Did you really doze off during a mission hot sauce?! That's pathetic", Gray gave me an urked look.
"I didn't doze off! I was just…"
"Dozing off?"
"Yes exactly- No! I was just focusing on the mission", I said as I crossed my arms.
"Whatever you idiot", Gray said as he rolled his eyes.
I was about to make a remark but my earpiece blew up with some yelling making me flinch.
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?! GET YOUR ASSES UP THE MOUNTAIN ALREADY!"
"Aye ma'am!", everyone yelled out in fear except for Laxus. He seemed unfazed by the Captain's yelling.
"Well we should get a move on before the Captain gets even more angrier with us", Gray said as he started to walk towards the mountain.
"Agreed!", Lucy and I said simultaneously making her giggle. I couldn't help but smile at her giggle. It was like a breath of fresh air in these serious types of situations.
I had only known her for about two minutes and I already knew…. that I had a crush on her.
…
"You see anything?", Gray whispered to all of us as we hid behind some rocks, looking at the mysterious building.
I squinted my eyes as I tried to make out any important detail that the building had. But I didn't see anything that caught my eye.
"Negative", I responded making Gray look at the others for their response.
"I see a door right next to the building", Lucy whispered as she pointed to a black rusty door on the side of the building.
Gray smirked, "Perfect, now all we need to do is sneak in there".
"WHAT?!", I shouted making Gray jump up and cover my mouth with his hand.
"Shut up you idiot! We don't want to get caught!"
"I'm sorry, it's just that I didn't know this was a stealth mission".
"Well we can't just go shooting up the place. Our mission is to investigate not to attack. Got it?"
"But I suck at being stealthy"
"You don't have to be good at it you just have to follow our lead. Now who here out of all of us is the stealthiest?", Gray asked as he started to get ready to move out.
"Not me, I'm used to taking a frontal approach. But Lucy here, has been on a lot of stealth missions", Laxus said as pointed at Lucy.
"Lucy is that true?", Gray asked her making her shyly nod.
"Yes, but I've never lead one. I was always just a follower or back up".
"Still you have that experience so I think it's best if you lead us in"
"Are you sure?"
"Pos-
"No!", I cut off Gray making him flinch from my sudden outburst.
"We shouldn't make her leader, that would just put her in danger"
"And your point? We're all soldiers here we can take care of ourselves", Gray said in a harsh tone making my blood boil.
"Now let's go, Lucy take the lead"
"Alright", she said in a shaky voice. I knew that she was afraid which made my insides twist. Seeing her scared like that sickened me. Her without her smile just wasn't the same.
I walked over to her and put my hand on her shoulder making her jump in response. But he calmed down when she noticed it was me.
"Don't worry Lucy I'll protect you no matter what. We'll get through this together"
"Th-Thank you", she was blushing a deep scarlet red.
"I think I made her even more nervous. Stupid me!"
Lucy walked in front of all of us as she took in a deep breath.
It was silent for about a couple seconds until I heard Lucy cock her gun.
"Alright! Let's go!"