A/N: Here goes another chapter! I was super surprised when I read the latest chapter of Fairy Tail (Chapter 257). The time skip.. the d_h of Lucy's F_r.. I wrote it all before the chapter was released. I was shocked. LOL. I was like.. "Yo! I predicted the chapter unconsciously!" Anyway, for those who read the latest chapter of Fairy Tail.. You were spoiled! :P Hehehe~ Enjoy the chapter anyway! Do review! :D

Chapter 19: The Key To A Brighter Future

Gajeel and Levy were taking a break in the Guild's lounge. It has been a year since Lucy's disappearance. Natsu laid his head on the bar, feeling depressed. While they were drinking mocktails, Natsu's sighs can be heard.

"Ever since Lucy disappeared, Natsu has been brooding." Levy said to Gajeel.

"I'm not too sure what had happened that day." Gajeel sighed. "I tried to talk to him but, he just pushed me away."

"Was it something personal?" Levy asked.

"I think so." He replied, looking at his younger brother.

"Lucy must be someone important to him, huh?" She said, trying to munch on some ice.

"She was not just important to him. She was his everything." Gajeel said as he stood up to stretch.

At the bar, Mirajane made Natsu a Special Virgin Mary. She took a stick and wrapped up the tip with a cloth. Then, she took a lighter and lighted the mini torch and placed it in the drink. She went over to Natsu and passed it to him.

"I'm not sure whether this would cheer you up." Mirajane said to Natsu. "Here, accept this drink."

Natsu raised his head from the table and looked up. "Thanks Mirajane. Thanks for the drink and your thoughtfulness."

As Natsu drank his mocktail, Mirajane placed her arms on the table.

"I think it's about time you forget about Lucy, Natsu." Mirajane said.

Natsu crushed his glass and raised his eyebrows, "What did you say?"

"I said, forget about Lucy. You're being a nuisance here do you know?" Mirajane looked into Natsu's Eyes.

Natsu remained speechless. Everyone in the lounge looked at them. Natsu clenched his fists and slowly, flames covered his arms.

"What now?" Mirajane taunted Natsu. "You're going to hit me?"

Natsu clenched his teeth. His fiery arms turned back to normal and he fell on his knees.

"Screw this." Natsu murmured. "Screw everything!"

"Why do I feel so depressed? Why does she have to disappear? Why can't I find her anywhere? Why do I feel so angry?" Natsu roared out loud as flames burst out of his arms.

Natsu punched the floor creating a hole and the floor started to burn. Natsu went to rampaging mode. He began destroying furniture and mindlessly attacking guild members who tried to stop him. Stronger guild members like Erza and Laxus watched Natsu continue to burst.

"It looks like we think alike, Laxus." Erza said, as she watched the scene from above.

"It has been a year of silence from Natsu. It's only expected of him to burst out soon. I should know better." Laxus replied at he turned away from the scene and walked away.

"Yeah." Erza murmured as she fixed her eyes back on the scene at the lounge. "A year of silence."

Natsu continues his rampage despite almost the entire guild was trying to put him down. Gajeel stood a few meters away from the chaos, sharing the same thoughts as Laxus and Erza.

The riot lasted for more than an hour. Natsu was still lost in his rage. Most of the guild members were tired and some were knocked out from Natsu's attack. And just like a wind, the atmosphere in the guild changed. Like a light spirit, she swiftly made her way through the guild and passed its beaten members. In a blink of an eye, it was hugging Natsu. Natsu's roar stopped. His flaming arms returned back to normal. As the light slowly faded away, it was Lucy Hearfilia.

"I'm back. Looks like you've grown a little older, Natsu." Lusy whispered into his ear. "You know, you shouldn't go hurting others. They'll be and feel hurt too."

Tears start to stream down Natsu's face. He stretched out his arms to hold Lucy in his arms. He held her tight and listened to her heart beat as he cried out a year's worth of pain and sadness.

"Lucy, I missed you." Natsu cried. "It was selfish of me to keep silent about who you really are. I thought I might hurt you if I told you about your past. I was supposed to protect you but I failed. I'm not worthy of having you, Lucy."

"It's alright now, Natsu." Lucy replied. "I know who I am and I've already accepted it."

It has been two days since then. Although some of the furniture in Fariy Tail were turned to ashes. There was a celebration for Lucy's return. But a year's disappearance would mean a year's worth of mystery and now, she faces the harsh realities of a year's worth of disappearance.

...

No words could leave my mouth. I can't believe what I have just heard. My face could show no other reaction but the same reaction I am showing right now. I can hardly hear my own heart beat. Everything went mute. No emotions, no nothing. I felt empty inside. Gone was the man I used to have. Gone was the last part of me to ever live, or so I believe so. Gone was the father I used to love and hate.

I stood in front of him in his grave. No matter how sad and lonely I felt, I can't seem to cry. He was the key to opening up the door to the family's secret. The only one left, if I'm not wrong. Now that he is gone. I would have to find another way to complete my mission. I would have to find my mother. I bent down and kissed his grave. I turned around and walked away. Not too long ago, a lawyer came by to my house and told me about the news. There was a letter which I have not opened.

Because of the will my old man wrote, all that he owned is now mine. I have no idea what to do with all that money and fortune but now, it would be my responsibility to take good care of it. Natsu was seated on a rock with happy. They were looking out into the sun set.

"Natsu!" I called out, reaching out for his hand. "Take this. My father wanted us to have it."

Natsu opened up my hand and he looked at me.

"It's a ring." Natsu said as he looked into my eyes. "This belongs to your parents."

"I read his letter. He wants me to be the one to give it to you." I said as I swallowed air. "Here it goes."

I know this is going to sound a little bit weird but it was a request from my father to give the rings to Natsu in his behalf. I can't help but just give in to his last wishes. Also, he arranged a script for me to say to my fiancé.

"Will you, Natsu Dragneel, son of Igneel, accept these rings a gift of my appreciation and acknowledgement for your hard work and love for my daughter, Lucy Heartfilia?" I said as solemn as I could.

"Heheh." Natsu said, giggling. "You sound weird!"

I whacked him in the head and barked, "Will you just say yes or no?"

"Alright, I'm sorry." Natsu replied.

He bent down on one knee and took the rings.

"I, Natsu Dragneel, son of Igneel, would gladly accept these rings from you." Natsu replied in his most formal tone as he planted a kiss the back of my hand.

"Now, it's my turn." Natsu smiled. "You're old man should be proud to witness this."

Natsu glanced over at my father's grave and smiled at me.

"Lucy Heartfilia, will you marry me?" Natsu said to me with a gentle smile on his face.

"What?" I said involuntarily.

"I feel awkward now." Natsu murmured.

"Forget it, Lucy." Natsu stood up and smiled at me. "I'll ask you again when you're ready. I'll be waiting."

"I feel like whacking you really hard, you know." I barked, feeling both mushy and embarrassed.

Natsu giggled.

"Before Igneel disappeared, he told me that the world was corrupted." Natsu said, in a serious tone. "He once told me that an angel carrying the burden of the sins of this world will be the key to a brighter future. Her actions will wash the world clean of its sins and she will be free from her own burdens."

Natsu looked into my eyes and held me in his arms, "I believe you are the angel. Everyone you have ever met becomes happy and had felt their burdens lessen. You are the key to a brighter future."

A/N: With that, Lucy moves forward. Next... Chapter 20: Already Gone.

Did I rush the chapter? or is it just me? I wanted to change the storyline because this chapter kinda got some "similarities" with Chapter 257 of Fairy Tail.. but I chose to keep it. What do you guys think about it? Review me~