Here we go! :D
It's chapter 2!
Gray-san: No, really...thanks for stating the obvious.
Blaze: :P I'm saying it for some of those idiots out there... like SOMEBODY here...
As promised, a week later. Man, I really was on a time crunch, but all the same, here it is!
Enjoy!
~Blazingfyres
"Natsu!"
Happy had his tail firmly tied around Natsu's chest. As he slowly descended to the sidewalk, letting his passenger's feet slowly scrape the ground, he decided to press onto his actions.
"Why did you just leave like that, Natsu?" The little cat asked.
"I wish I could answer that, buddy."
"Come on, Natsu! I know you're stupid, but you should at least know what you're doing!"
"Now that wasn't very nice."
Truth be told, Natsu was confused. He had just asked her that silly question, and then-well-he wasn't quite sure what had happened next. One minute, he was alright and laughing and then the next... for some reason, he had this weird sensation. That he didn't think of Lucy as a friend.
But why? Lucy was his friend. A best friend. So why would he think of her in a different way?
Was it because he hated her?
No... at least, he didn't think so.
Too caught up in his thoughts, Natsu didn't realize he was home until he banged his head against the door.
Swearing under his breath, he crawled into bed.
"Good night, Happy," he said groggily.
"Good night!"
He didn't notice his pet giggling silently at Natsu's naïvity.
The next few days passed without incident.
Mainly many of the students spent all of the rest of their vacation finishing summer homework. And then there were some who just partied all night before they had to sit in a classroom again.
But there was no need to clear up the last of their troubles. Fairy Tail Academy wasn't having any of that just yet.
"Attention!"
It was the Welcome Back Dinner; the entire room was brimming with excitement. And now, as Headmaster Makarov tapped his spoon onto one of the glasses, quiet swept across the tables.
"For our new students, welcome, and for our old, welcome back! We have an exciting year ahead of us!
"But this time we have planned something very special for you, my children. Something so extraordinary that hasn't been done in many years. We are entering this year's Triwizard Tournament!"
Whispers sprang up around the room, sounding like the buzzing of a hornet's nest.
"One of our lucky 7th-years will be selected to represent the Fairy Tail Academy. Whichever school's representative scores the most points shall win not only the legendary Triwizard Cup, but also the new-found pride and honor of their school!
"This year, however, they have made an exception to the rule. Four, instead the usual three contestants, will be competing.
"We must journey to the school of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where the games will be held this year. We are leaving strictly in a few days; you must be there or else you can't come.
"Good luck to you, my children, the Academy of Fairy Tail!"
"I'm all fired up!" Natsu yelled.
"Aye, sir!"
"So your going to be competing?" Lucy asked. "Yeah!" He replied. "I'm going to kick the Hog's wart's butts!"
"It's a little sad." Wendy sat next to Lucy, a frown curled on her lips. "I won't get to go. I'm only in my 5th year..."
"It's alright. You can still watch. Besides, the entire school is going." She still didn't seem convinced.
Gray leaned in, joining the conversation. "It's probably going to be Erza. No doubt about it. She is one of the only S-Class members in our year."
"Wait, there are more?"
"You didn't know?" Lisanna plopped down next to Lucy. "Sorry, I was sorta listening in. I forgot you only joined last year. See, Mirajane was one when she turned 15. So was Mystogan and Laxus, these other 2 students. They're so advanced, they take private classes, which is why you don't see them around here. Erza was also requested to join them, but she refused because she wanted equal training with her classmates."
"Whoa, that's pretty amazing."
"Yeah. And not only that. Laxus is the Headmaster's son! Considering his strength, it really isn't surprising. But still..."
Lucy hadn't realized that Natsu and Gray had begun to fight until Lisanna stopped talking.
"Those two idiots..." Lucy groaned, sinking into her seat.
"Actually, I think you're pretty lucky to be in Team Natsu."
Lucy looked up, a little perplexed.
"Well-um-I mean-it's not-like that-"
"It's alright. Seriously Liz, did you really thing I was that stupid? Hey, look! Your face is turning the same color as his hair!" Lucy laughed as Lisanna's face turned a bright shade of pink.
Lucy knew about Lisanna's little crush from the beginning. Even an idiot could-well- then again, Natsu hadn't noticed. She had been in permanent denial, but Lucy could see the awkwaedness whenever Natsu was in the room.
But she sorta felt bad. Natsu had not only saved her life when he was on one of his quests, but brought her to Fairry Tail, her dream since the beginning. And on top of that, he asked her to be on a team with him. Since Erza and Gray got caught up in some of their quests, they formed Team Natsu. So Lisanna never got a chance to join.
Natsu snapped her out of her thoughts. "What's wrong, Lucy?"
"Oh... it's nothing. Don't worry about it," She said, winking at Lisanna.
"No way."
It was the day of the departure. All the students nts were gathered around the front of the building-facing a very odd sight.
Lucy stared up at it.
"You've got to be kidding me. Please tell me that you are kidding me!"
"Relax, Lucy!" You've been on Happy loads of times!"
"It's not the same, Natsu!"
"Just trust me," He replied, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"If you say so."
"Harry!"
He snapped back out of his fantasy. He shut his eyes again; the filtering light from the windows was blinding. He stretched his arms and legs, wishing he hadn't fallen asleep on the uncomfortable seats of the Hogwarts Express.
He felt the girl beside him tapping violently on his shoulder; her chocolate brown eyes stared at him impatiently, her bushy hair proving that she had only woken up moments before.
"Cut it out, Hermione!" He grumbled, shrugging her off. She pulled her hand back, only to begin doing it to the freckled ginger on the other side of her.
"Ron!"
"Why did you have to wake me up?" He asked, groaning. Harry chuckled.
"Look outside and see for yourself."
And so Harry did.
The sight, to say the least, was definitely extraordinary. A large carriage charged gracefully through the air, pegasi manning the reigns that hung loosely from their bodies. There were a multiple of these, except some probably a smidge smaller than the one in front, followed up behind them. Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing.
But that wasn't all.
It was hard to notice at first; they only saw it when the first part of the mast came out of the water. Ripples spilled over the entire river, sending waves splattering the shoreline. A massive ship, the size of a palace, was draped in dark red and black masts. "Ooooo"s and "aaaaaah"s filled the entire corridor of the train.
The last one made Harry's jaw almost hit the ground. They would've never guessed it was.
"CATS!"
It was the first word that flew out of Hermione's mouth. And there they were, indeed.
The idea was so outrageous-which made it so damn cool. All eyes turned away from the other two. Everyone was watching the cats. With wings. Flying. Carrying PEOPLE.
"FAIRY TAIL!"
The flock of flying people began to chant. Many of them were held by cat creatures. Only one girl seemed to fly without one-her wings were connected to her exposed armor, her red hair flying madly with the wind.
"Behold-Fairy Tail!"
It seemed like a battle cry. The rest of the students' actions were immediate; a roar of victory exploded like a cannon blast that didn't seize. Fire and Ice exploded from some of the students' hands-"They aren't even using wands!" Ron bellowed over the noise-some exploded fireworks, others made flying jets and rockets.
Sounds and lights attracted the most attention. Pretty soon, Harry could here the monotonous chanting of the school's name echoing through the Hogwarts Express.
Fairy Tail had made it's mark.
"Alright... here we go. Now we're going to land, okay?"
Marl clasped her tail tightly on Lucy's waist, her wings flapping tirelessly.
"Yeah. Sure."
Lucy was still a little freaked out by the height she was at. She felt horribly nauseous, and she was trying not to puke.
Even though the flying and the looking down part was making her dizzy, the rush of excitement had coursed through her veins when they passed the Hogwarts Express. Even the train seemed marvelous - the glowing scarlet metal had stuck out, shining brilliantly against the dull gray tracks. And then of course, the other two.
She hadn't been on the outskirts of Fiore, and she was pretty amazed of how many types of magic she had never even dreamed of show itself to her. Then again, she wasn't cooped up in a corner anymore, shadowed away from the outside world.
No, Lucy thought. Let's not think about that right now.
"Lucy!"
The panic in the exceed's voice brought her back. "What's wrong?"
"My transformation's-"
Marl couldn't even finished the sentence. The next thing she knew, she began free-falling towards the earth.
She could feel her stomach rush up to her throat. She couldn't even scream-the rush of gravity was making her feel sick. She grabbed the flailing exceed and tucked it into her chest. "Hold on!" She whispered. "Everything will be alright."
She was actually meant that towards herself; she was only a couple seconds away from hitting the ground. She forced her eyes shut, not daring to breathe. She waited for herself to slam against the rock.
Except, it never came.
She felt strong arms wrap around her waist. The rush upwards made her feel dizzy; she couldn't even think straight.
"...cy?"
"Huh?"
It had dawned on her that she had lost conciseness for a few seconds.
"I said, 'Are you alright, Lucy?'"
"Aye! Took a big drop there, huh?"
"Wait, is that you, Natsu?"
"Can you just answer my question?"
She shook her head, letting the nausea pass. "I-I think so." She felt his grip tighten, her back tight against his chest.
"I'm so sorry! It was all my fault! Please forgive me, Lucy! I didn't mean to-" The little exceed began to cry.
"Come on! Don't worry about it. See? We're all safe now," Natsu soothed.
"Um, Natsu?"
"Yeah?"
Lucy's face began to turn red. "Can you... put me down, now?"
It took Natsu a few seconds to realize why. The entire school was staring at them right then.
"Oh. Right. Happy?"
"Aye, sir!"
Getting back on ground was even worse. Natsu had to hold her still in order for her to not fall onto the floor. Lucy's face was steaming red now; though why it was happening? She had no idea.
"Alrighty, then! Let's get going!"
Lucy felt something tug her away from Natsu's grip.
"Lisanna?" Sure enough, there she was, dragging her towards the gates. "You look sick, Luce! How about we go to the hospital wing? I've heard they have the best of the best nurses there!"
Lucy didn't know whether it was her imagination or not, but she felt a pang of jealousy coming from Lisanna's eyes.
"So... how is she?"
It felt unusual for him to be sitting at a commoner's café; but at a time like this, it didn't matter to him. Staring coldly at the wizard in front of him, the business man took another sip of his coffee.
The other man across from him was smiling deviously. He slowly leaned forward, his grin shadowed behind his large top hat. "Oh, she is doing very well, my good sir. Quite the young woman she has turned out to be. Exactly like her mother." The other flinched. But all the same, he nodded.
"I want her back to me. Soon."
"It has all been arranged."
He clenched his fist. "I don't want her dirtying her father's name any longer. That insolent guild is going to pay!
"Fairy Tail!"
DONE! *Pant, pant* All in a week's work, as promised!
Cliffy! :D Honestly, I'm a hypocrite for throwing it in here. I hate them too, but hey. Suspense is a necessary thing!
Alright. I realized my story has a LOT of contradictions concerning timelines. Like the Exceeds and stuff. And you'll find out later, the subplots. But I'm mixing them in a way that goes with my story, so don't judge! D:
Please R&R, I beg of you, PLEASE REVIEW!
Just letting you know, I might not get the chapter up in time on Tuesday or Wednesday... I'm going on vacation, and I don't know whether I'll get access to a computer, let alone getting it done. ;_; If not this week, look for it during the next weekend! Sorry for the inconvenience!
Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or comments, please PM me or review, and I will answer through an author's note or a PM the best I can!
Again, thanks for reading, and R&R!
~Blazingfyres