I can't believe all the positive feedback I'm getting from this, it's so wonderful. Thank you all so much. Great reviews are an authors best motivators. This chapter is going to be exciting, that's all I'm going to say. Thanks again for all your support you guys are amazing.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor do I profit from this in any way.
2015: Revised
~Headmasters Office~
Lucy sat patiently a waiting room chair, hands folded in her lap neatly. Although she was surprisingly nervous she didn't really know what for. Duelling wasn't against the rules and neither her nor Natsu had used any Dark magic so she didn't really see why she needed to be here.
Natsu on the other hand was furious as displayed by his body language, he sat across from Lucy with his arms crossed over his chest, feet tapping the marble floor.
He had never been to the Headmasters office before, well, that was a lie. He'd actually been here many times for various pranks he had pulled in previous years but those were all minor incidents.
He shuddered at the idea of getting a letter home, Igneel would never let him hear the end of it. Disgrace to the family and all that. His father was never forgiving when Natsu had involved himself in petty mistakes.
Puffing exasperatedly Natsu shifted his weight in the uncomfortable waiting room chair, rolling his shoulders.
Lucy, who decided to use her time wisely, had pulled out her Divination booklet and was studying the formations of tea leaves.
Natsu, who's boredom had got the better of him careened his neck so he could see what Lucy was reading.
"Divination's a joke." Natsu said matter of factually, resting his hands behind his head.
Lucy's cheeks heated in anger, Divination was another class she actually enjoyed and here he was mocking it.
"Shut up. No one asked your opinion." Lucy grumbled. Having to sit in the same room with this nitwit was really getting on her nerves. This was the most one-one-one contact they'd had together since their first meeting.
Natsu just snorted and turned his head away, Lucy always managed to call his bluff and that seriously bothered him.
"This is all your fault you know."
Lucy's head snapped up at Natsu's words, brown eyes narrowing into dagger like slits.
"Are you kidding me? You're the one who was going to throw that egg at me!" Lucy retorted, closing her book abruptly.
Natsu just turned his eyes away, crossing his arms."You're the one who picked the fight."
Lucy's hands balled into fists, she wanted to jump up and kick Natsu's egotistical head right off his shoulders.
Natsu rose a singular eyebrow as he saw Lucy's eyes flicker yellow, and her magical presence strengthen.
"You sure you wanna fight me again, Heartfilia? Remember who won the last time." Natsu said smoothly, knowing if Lucy advanced him here she'd be toast.
Lucy, who also realized if she attacked Natsu in front of the Headmasters office she'd be most likely expelled, calmed herself. Another fight for another day. Lucy closed her eyes, leaning back into the chair, relaxing.
Natsu frowned slightly, he was hoping she would fight him and put her in even more trouble with the old man.
"You fought dirty." Lucy said, eyes still closed, voice fair.
"How did I fight dirty? I knocked you over because you're pathetically weak." Natsu said back heatedly.
"A real wizard would have used magic." Lucy taunted, eyes snapping open.
Natsu chuckled, leaning forward, onyx eyes narrowing. "So you'd like to be burnt into a human bacon-strip? Good to know." Natsu sniggered.
Lucy was about to spit back at him when the office door flung open. Headmaster Makarov stood in the doorway, his short form demanding both teens gaze.
"Natsu, Lucy." Makarov said coolly, his face impassive.
Natsu sat up in his seat, Lucy gulped.
"This way please." Makarov said, turning and retreating back into the office.
Shooting each other chilly glares Natsu and Lucy stood and hustled to keep up with the Headmasters brisk pace.
The hallway leading up to the office was dark, and smelled like old books and wax candles. Lucy loved it. It reminded her of her own library back home, she smiled wistfully.
"Whatcha grinning about dork?" Natsu laughed.
Lucy blushed madly, and hurried up her pace so she was ahead of Natsu, trailing the Headmaster.
When they reached the end of the hall Makarov pulled out a long, slender key and inserted it into the lock on the door and turned it.
The lock giggled, as if someone was tickling it and then allowed the door to swing open.
"Welcome back Master." The lock muttered lazily.
Makarov smiled at the magicked lock then hurried inside, the two wizards in soon as they were all inside the door closed once again.
The Headmaster's office was a mess, various objects cluttered the numerous book shelves and papers flew around the room on magical wings. Exotic birds chirped inside their cage, black eyes blinking at the visitors. Makarov didn't acknowledge the usual calamity, instead he headed straight for his desk, which sat in the middle of the room.
Promptly Makarov sat in the large chair behind his desk, placing a rather crooked pair of spectacles upon his and Natsu shuffled awkwardly to the remaining to chairs on the opposite side of the desk and sat down.
Once they were seated Makarov, folded his hands under his chin and examined the two wizards.
"So, Madame Porlyuscia said you two were creating havoc in the Grand Hall at lunch today." Makarov said.
Lucy swallowed thickly, nodding.
"Hmm." Makarov pondered, tapping his chin.
"Do these glasses make me look professional? Mira- I mean Professor Strauss, said I should wear them."
Lucy and Natsu blinked, taken aback by the sudden question.
Sighing Makarov plucked them off the bridge of his nose and placed them on his cluttered desk.
"You two are honestly no help. Why'd I even bother asking."
Natsu, who had better things to do than give the Headmaster fashion advice spoke up suddenly.
"Um, excuse me Headmaster but aren't you going to get mad at us or something?"
Makarov looked at the pink haired wizard, confused.
"Why would I get mad at you? You two were just duelling weren't you?" He asked.
Natsu's brow furrowed. "Yes sir." He said stiffly.
"Then why would I get mad at you? You are perfectly within your rights to duel, I'd just prefer you'd do it outside next time, the kitchen staff was a little upset at the mess you two caused."
Lucy cleared her throat. "So, if we're not in trouble, why are we here?"
Makarov laughed jovially, his small body vibrating.
"Porlyuscia can be such a stiffler sometimes. But, seeing as she's one of the oldest staff members around I called you two up here to put her mind at ease. It's something i find myself doing quite often."
Lucy and Natsu gawked at the Headmaster.
"So, if we're not in any trouble can we leave?" Natsu asked excitedly.
"Haha! Of course, leave if you'd like. I only held you up here for some company but if you're that desperate to leave . . ."
Natsu leaped out of his chair, dashing towards the door.
"See ya." He called over his shoulder, yanking the door open and disappearing from sight.
Lucy watched Natsu go, relieved she wasn't near that idiot any longer.
"Lucy, is their something you wish to tell me?" Makarov asked, face serious once again.
Lucy glanced back at the Headmaster, face paling.
"N-no, nothing sir." She mumbled, standing from her seat.
Lucy gathered her books and began to head out when Makarov called out to her.
"Don't worry so much child, you'll find your way in this world eventually."
Lucy stopped, mulling over the words that were just spoken to her.
"Thanks Headmaster." She grinned over her shoulder, before running out.
Makarov smiled to himself, if only he knew then what those words truly meant.
~Later that night, Study Block~
Levy scanned around the whole common room for any sight of Lucy. Everyone was busy studying, practising spells quietly, or reading. It was nearly nine o clock and Levy hadn't seen Lucy since dinner. Levy munched on the bottom of her lip anxiously, curfew was drawing near and if Lucy wasn't back she'd be in serious trouble.
"Levy!"
Levy turned to see Erza and Juvia waving her over to their comfortable spot by the fire place. Levy waved back tentatively, now nibbling her fingernails in worry. Where the hell was Lucy?
"Levy! Hurry up!" Juvia called, smiling brightly.
Sighing worriedly, Levy pulled her books closer to her chest and hurried over to where her friends were waiting.
The nagging feeling of Lucy's disappearance still burning in her mind.
~With Lucy~
Lucy had no idea where she was. She'd been attending this school for over three years and none of this looked familiar at all.
Lucy groaned, all she wanted was to go for a peaceful stroll after dinner, not get lost.
Now if Lucy was any good at magic she could have used a simple Direction spell but Lucy wasn't any good with magic.
It was dark, the moon wrapped in a blanket of clouds. The stars peeping out of the fog cover.
Lucy paced nervously, it was way past curfew and if she was caught she'd definitely be expelled.
The Whispering Woods were dangerous at night. Well, they were dangerous all of the time but it was especially sinister looking in the absence of light. Rumours of horrid creatures dwelling within, waiting for the chance to jump out, couldn't help but flood Lucy's mind.
Lucy had never actually believed such nonsense, but now that she was actually standing on the edge of the forest her mind was far past logic.
Lucy bit her fingernails, a bad habit she'd picked up from Levy over the years and stared into the forbidding looking woods.
The trees were so dense that if one got lost in there the likelihood of ever getting out again was very slim. Lucy cursed colourfully, wishing she could remember the damned Direction spell. It was such a simple spell yet she couldn't remember it at all.
Lucy raked her brain, desperate to remember the words.
"Umm, Orihior Direction." Lucy tried.
Nothing.
"Damn." Lucy moaned.
"Okay, okay, one more time." Lucy muttered under her breath, pacing once again. "Orihiro no Directionair!" Lucy chanted, again nothing.
Lucy was about to try again when she felt something brush past her shoulder, rendering her speechless. Lucy froze, paralysed.
Whatever had touched her had left a lingering presence and Lucy couldn't help but feel as if she was being watched. Lucy cringed as she looked around nervously, she was about to make her way back up the grassy bank when something grabbed her ankle. Screaming in panic Lucy fell forward, scrambling to get a hold of anything. Yet, it was too late and she was sent tumbling down the slippery grass and into the woods thicket. As she fell the forest around her seemed to rip at any piece of flesh or clothing it could grab onto so by the time she'd finally stopped her descent she was covered in scrapes and bruises.
Breathing heavily, tears pricked at Lucy's eyes and desperation and fear set in as she realized she had no idea where she was. Brushing herself off Lucy stood, looking around frantically. The slope from which she had fallen was far too steep to traverse the same way she'd came down, especially with the condition her shoes were in.
Glancing around fearfully she wrapped herself in her arms and moved forward, the fog of the woods clinging to her skin until she was a shivering mess. For what seemed like hours she wandered around aimlessly, until her legs tired and her limbs ached. The shadows of the forest loomed in every direction and the forest was now so dense Lucy couldn't even see her hands stretched out in front of her.
Then she saw something, a clear shimmery surface gleaming the moonlight. Breath catching Lucy ran, to the best of her ability, towards it. Pushing through the numerous branches and vines she stumbled over a dislodged log and then, now out of the thick, she saw it. A pond, or perhaps a small lake, motionless and beautiful the forest seemed to part around the body of water.
Parched beyond belief Lucy's lips ached for water yet as she reached for a drink a dull pain ached in the back of her head. A warning. Looking around she waited for the shadows to move or someone to appear yet no one did.
"H-hello?" She called out, knees buttery.
No answer.
Heart hammering, Lucy fell to her knees, her thirst so gripping it overtook her sense. Cupping a handful of the clear, cool water and pouring it over her tongue Lucy immediatly realized her mistake. The forest was too quiet, no animals, no sounds, too dead. This water, was - Lucy's mind swelled and her eyelids grew heavy. Floundering helpless for consciousness Lucy collapsed, mind gong black.
What a terrible, terrible mistake.
Holy shit. Another super fast update. I swear I'm a God. Truly. Anyways, Lucy's in a big mess but her 'new' powers are going to start kicking next chapter.
Thanks for your support.
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Till next time
3 Suicidal