I updated earlier than usual! Haha I'm sorry it took long. I was supposed to update 2 days earlier but I was really busy. So yeah. Sorry again. But don't worry I will update again. 'Cause next week I don't know if I could, I'd be busy. Thank you so much for the reviews! I appreciate it so much!

I'll update again soon, depending on the reviews again. I still don't know how to continue after this so, please inspiration. Hahaha Thank you for the suggestions anyway!

Disclaimer for the song, Lucky Strike it was solely Maroon 5's song in the album Overexposed. Damn. I so love the song! Hahaha Try to hear it. Okay?

And don't worry about the song. This chapter was of the same length with the others even without the lyrics of the song. =)

Thanks!

Chapter 10

It was the day of the event. Everyone's really excited. The concert grounds were ready. It was an open ground. The night is clear, the stars are shining brightly as if agreeing to what was happening to the Royale Hotel of the Heartfilia's. The stage was creatively done. The stage was easy to customize per band. It was a mobile stage. Like a very big juke box that the selected band will be put down for the crowd to see and then they play. 'Very brilliant' as the Board Members thought. Instruments were being tuned and the stage was being secured by the staff. The crowd and fans started to fill the seats; each had banners of the bands they were to support.

And Lucy?

Here she was making sure everything will turn out right. Megaphone on her ears connected to all heads of the whole event. While Juvia was beside her, assisting her to anything she needs.

"Very creative Lucy." Lucy turned around to see a guy of spiky hair.

"What are you doing here?"

"Am I not invited? My father's part of the Board, if any, I'll be your future right?" He said as he pushed her at the corner leaning to her face.

Lucy pushed him away. "No. Shut up."

"Oh come one Lucy. I'm tied to you now."

"Not unless I made this event a successful one." Lucy retorted looking back at the guy.

"Then I won't let it be something like that. After all, your power, influence, money and you alone is all mine ever since were kids."

"In your dreams." Lucy said and glared at the man.

And then a guy with black hair came. "Sting stop teasing Lucy. She won't accept you that way."

"She is mine Rogue so don't worry." Sting said smirking. "We have to get along as soon as possible. Right wifey?" He slung an arm around her.

Feeling irritated Lucy removed it and continued working. "I'm not yours. I don't belong to anyon –"

He cut Lucy off my clamping his hand over her mouth. "I wouldn't say that if I were you." Said the guy called Sting.

"Sting, father said we should head back." Rogue said with a voice that is close to lifeless.

Rogue pulled Sting away from Lucy but before her disappeared he blew a flying kiss at Lucy. "Fine. Fine. Bye my lovely girl."

Lucy sighed. She doesn't want any of that today or maybe all her life. She's fine by herself. She doesn't need anyone.

"Lucy who's that?" Juvia asked.

"They're my childhood friends."

"But he said –"

"Let's just not talk about it right now. We need to get this finish and be very successful. My life's on the line Juvia. No space for failure."

Juvia understands her. She nodded and followed Lucy.

Minutes later, the 'Battle' started. The first act was from The Saber, Fairy Law's new competitor? Or so they say. They've been compared to Fairy Law ever since they've been backed up by the twin brothers from the sister company of Heartfilia, the Eucliffe. Sure they've made quite an act and set the standards of the fans and guests. By backed up, I mean Minerva joined the band with occasional scene with Sting. Ever since Minerva entered the band's expenses were all from the Eucliffes which made it easier for the band to gain fame and fortune.

"They're just new but look at the act they just did. Can be compared to Fairy Law? Or maybe even better?" Said the reporter who's been filming the whole event in a live televise.

Next was from the Quatro Puppy. Sure they're cute due to their name.

A lot of other bands played but they're not really that popular so the crowd didn't enjoy their act much. Then there's the Mermaid Heel, an all girls band who's been playing rock music. Seems like out of their character? But really the hot lead singer, Kagura Mikazuchi and drummer Milliana can lead their way to stardom.

After the Mermaid Heel is the band that could also rival Fairy Law, Lamia Scale. They've just added a new member after Sherry has decided to take a break for now. Her cousin Chelia Blendi may make a change and pull them to getting the contract. Very splendid act indeed.

Blue Pegasus made their performance a really beautiful one. Well by beautiful literally beautiful. The singer Ichiya didn't do anything but just wink at the crowd which made the girls go 'eeew' and wished that either Hibiki, Eve or Ren was the one singing and Ichiya would be at the back stage. But the most promising member of their group was the drummer, Karen Lilica.

And there was Fairy Law..

Where? No. Fairy Law is not included.

Blue Pegasus was supposed to be the finishing group. The crowd should start going out of the concert grounds. But then they waited. Most of them were the fans of the said group, Fairy Law. But why aren't they here?

"Lucy?" Juvia asked for her but she doesn't seem to be in the mood to talk to her.

"I'm all done now. I'm done for. It's just the first day and I've already messed up." Lucy said urging to suppress the sobs. She thought having Blue Pegasus as the last would give the girl fans a very nice and memorable ending but no. She lost hope. They being the best are nothing than a false hope. How could she be deceived by their looks?

In the background they could hear the shouts and some murmurs of the fans. That goes like, "Fairy Law! Fairy Law!" or "Where is Fairy Law?" or "I hope I didn't waste money for nothing!" and there it is. Lucy is now close to dying due to severe hopelessness.

"No Lucy. You aren't. We'll do something about this." Juvia said encouraging Lucy. Through the days or maybe weeks that they've been working together she's already grown close to Lucy. She knew her problems which Lucy doesn't want to share but it just shows because her problems were just all around her. Juvia thinks of a way to make a very nice ending.. she started to brainstorm herself.

"It's all over." Lucy said sobbing.

"No it's not." Said a voice that really sound familiar to Lucy. She looked up and saw hope. Literally the word 'hope' on someone's pull-down jacket. No. She saw Natsu grinning down at her.

He walked over to her. "What are you doing here?" She asked and then she saw the other band members. Gajeel holding his drum sticks, Gray with his guitar slung across his body and Levy. Then Jellal was standing on the side.

"To save you?"

"Save me?" Lucy asked him confused.

"Yeah. Erza told me about the condition of this project and I promise you I won't let you do that marriage." Natsu said pointing his thumb toward himself.

Gray walked over and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry Lucy. I'll help this idiot here fulfil his promise!"

She pouted when he ruffled her hair but now she couldn't help but smile.

"And we'll be here too!" Levy said sweetly as she walked over to Lucy, Natsu and Gray.

"Yeah don't worry!" Gajeel said. They all looked at him. Seems peculiar that he's encouraging someone.

"But I didn't make you sign the contract that you're joini –"

Natsu cut her off. "We don't need a contract we're that stubborn to gate crash the bands' battle party. And it wouldn't be fun without us!"

Lucy smiled and wiped her tears away.

Jellal laughed. "So ready?"

Natsu scratched the back of his head. "Yeah. But Lisanna's not here yet."

"We must play even without her." Gray said in a stern voice. He doesn't like Lisanna since then so he just wanted to try hearing their sound even without her.

"But you won't be complete. I mean the sound and you as a band." Jellal said. He's just worried they would mess up. This is live so they can't edit it.

"Yeah we need the fullness of our sound. It needs to be firm. No bass, no balance with lead." Natsu said sadly. How come she's not here when a friend needs her the most?

Hearing all their problems Juvia walked closer to them. "Uhm. If it won't hurt, Juvia could play the bass." She said nervously. Will the acknowledge her?

"Really?" It was Gray. He held her by the arms and looked at her in the eyes.

She nodded with a blush on her face.

"Then it's settled. We'll play with her!" Gray said.

"But how about Lisanna?" Natsu said still worried for his late friend.

"She'll be here if she really wanted to help. We called her and texted her already right?" Gray said carelessly. It seemed to pull a string at Natsu. He thought about it. Does she really do this on purpose? Does she know they can't play without the wholeness of the instruments? Of course she knew that! She's with them for who-knows-how-long.

Then they heard the crowd booing outside.

"We need to hurry!" Levy said. She turned to Juvia. "Do you know all our songs?"

"Yeah. I've always practiced all your songs, but I'm not really into the bass part."

"That's fine. You're in!" Levy said smiling at her.

"I agree. I think she'll be cool if she would be able to keep up with us." Gajeel said smirking.

Jellal gathered them in a circle. "Then it's settled." He put the dorsum of his hand at the center. "To save Lucy?"

"To save Lucy!" The rest of the band repeated as they put their hands on top of each other.

When they broke apart they prepared themselves. "So can you play Lucky Strike?" Natsu asked smiling at Juvia. He's accepted it. Lisanna won't be with them in helping Lucy. At least they had this girl.

"Are we to play that?"

Natsu nodded slightly nervous. It was one of their new songs so he won't be surprise if Juvia wasn't able to learn that yet. So he needs to make a blast of performance to make-up for her, if she can't keep up.

"Well Juvia will try her best." She looked at Lucy who's now happily talking with Gray, Levy and Gajeel. "This is for that good girl so Juvia will do her best." She smiled a smile which Natsu returned with a grin.

"So, Lady Heartfilia found hope eh?" Sting walked to the backstage and towards Lucy.

"What are you doing here?" Lucy asked a bit irritated by the guy's presence.

He caressed her cheeks with the back of his hand. "Is it bad to visit my future wife?" He smirked.

Lucy slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me. I'm not going to be yours ever."

"How'd you know? I'll make sure you'll be.." He bent down to her ears. "Mine."

It made her shiver. He held her wrist but Lucy struggled to get away but to no avail Sting tighten his grip on her wrist. "Never."

Gray couldn't take this. Lucy's being hurt. He started to walk but stopped when someone passed him towards Lucy and Sting.

Natsu.

He pulled Lucy away from Sting and placed her behind him. "Don't ever touch my girl." He growled in a low voice.

Sting stared at Natsu for a long moment. More like not him but at his hair. Is it that unique that his hair is really that catchy? Sting felt cold run down his spine. What was this he was feeling? No he couldn't be. He tried to recover and felt his body calm down.

And Sting spoke. "Your?"

"You heard me right. She's already mine." Natsu said in an angry voice.

Sting looked at him and then he laughed. "Fine. She's yours now but she's really mine since the beginning and the future so I would let my wife play a little." He peeked at Lucy. "Don't worry, I won't be mad at you so much. I'll just give you the best punishment you'll ever have once were marri –"

"She'll never marry you. I'll make sure of that!" Natsu growled. "Stay away from Lucy!"

"Natsu.." Lucy mumbled looking at him from behind. She can't see his face but she could see Sting. He was really scared. His eyes were wide as if he saw a ghost. What's with Natsu that made him so.. scared?

"Don't worry Luce. He won't be able to touch you as long as I'm here." He said then walked away towards the stage pulling Lucy with him.

"Natsu I can't be with you on stage!" Lucy said while trying to pull her arm from Natsu's grip.

He turned around. "And leave you with that bastard? No way in hell. I don't know him but by his looks I just get easily pissed. Don't go near him again, okay?" He said in a serious voice.

"I wasn't planning to."

He loosens his grip on her and removed his white jacket with the 'hope' word in front. Lucy covered her eyes. After removing he saw Lucy covering her eyes. He flipped her forehead. "Hey I didn't strip naked!" Lucy removed her hands from her eyes to rub the sore spot where Natsu flip her. "Here wear this. We can't afford another issue during this whole project. Right?" He grinned at her.

She blushed.

When did she started blushing at his grins? And when did he started to be so.. nice and protective to her?

"Stay close to me. Don't ever let that hoodie off you." Natsu warned.

"Okay I get it. This is your fault you pulled me here."

He patted her head as gentle as possible and pulled her into him. "I missed this Lucy." He whispered. Suddenly the moving stage came to a stop, the door in front of them was opened slowly. "It's show time!" Natsu said smiling at Lucy. He grabbed her hand and they walked closer to the edge of the moving stage, closer to the audience, hand in hand.

Lucy was trembling. She hasn't been in front of a lot of people. She doesn't even speak in front of them. Well the largest she spoke to were the Board whom she's grow with. This is a lot different.

"Relax. I got you!" Natsu said not letting go of her hand. He places the microphone in front of his mouth. "Good evening! Sorry we kept you waiting. We got some technical problems with this moving stage and there we had another member, Juvia Lockser! Sorry Lisanna's not here, she had a few errands to do."

Gray tuned his guitar and same goes with the other. "Hey hey! Cocky are we?" Natsu said mocking Gray a bit.

He glared at Natsu. "You're lucky we're on stage." He said that only the people on stage could hear.

"Alright. Alright. See this girl I have here?" Natsu raised her right hand together with his left, still not letting go. The fans grew quiet a bit but they can't help some squeals and excitement. No one. As in no one in the concert grounds identified the hooded girl as Lucy. Well except maybe for Sting, he's there right, and maybe Jellal and Erza. "I found her at the entrance and she doesn't have a ticket so, I invited her in. Guess she really wanted to see me!" Natsu said looking into Lucy's eyes, grinning. She glared at him. He chuckled. "Okay so now, we had this song, dedicated to someone that makes me go crazy even without doing anything. It's called Lucky Strike." The fans roared and some girls squealed.. again. Natsu squeezed Lucy's hand and looked at her, and then he grinned again.

Dedicating a song again? This isn't the usual Natsu but Gray smirked. He knew this is going to be fun and about Natsu dedicating a song. Whatever. Gray started with some strum at his guitar.

Juvia followed him skilfully.

Then there's Gajeel's drumming that determines the rhythm and tempo.

Lastly Levy completed the instrument's sound.

Combining all of it, they sounded great. Just a little bit of this and that and they're perfect. It was just an intro but they couldn't believe Juvia was able to follow Gray that easy.

When Natsu started singing he let go of Lucy's hand. He was amazed Juvia was able to catch up now, he'll just do his thing.

You're such a motivator, I gotta get you where
So sick of saying yes sir, yes sir

Natsu turned to Lucy and continued singing. He gestured to tell her to enjoy the song but really Lucy doesn't know how to.

You're such an instigator, you wanna play the game
Take it or leave it, that's her, that's her

As if understanding he grabbed her hand again and twirl her making Lucy gasped and most of the girls in the crowd made a sound of jealousy.

And I can't wait another minute
I can't take the look she's giving
Your body rocking, keep me up all night
One in a million

As if on cue Lucy gets the message and stared at Natsu then smiled. She then started jamming with the song. She runs around Natsu and just do anything fun.

My lucky strike

Natsu smiled. He raised his hand then dropped it just with his body as the song says.

Got me so high, and then she dropped me
But she got me, she got me, she got me bad
Took me inside and then she rocked me
She keep up all night, this is what it sounds like

Lucy danced to the song together with Natsu. It's her first time enjoying a song like this. She forgets they were on stage and just enjoyed like any other girl her age would do inside their rooms.

Oh oh oh my lucky strike
Oh oh oh my lucky strike
Your body rocking, keep me up all night
One in a million, my lucky strike

She went to Juvia and checked her leaving Natsu on the center still smiling at the crowd. Juvia smiled at her. She was doing her best same as the rest of the band so Lucy went to Gray, then Levy and lastly Gajeel. She was amazed on how he was able to keep the song lively. Very lively at this.

Stuck in an elevator, she take me to the sky
And I don't wanna go down, go down
She said i'll feel you later, go ahead and fantasize
She make me want her right now right now
And I can't wait another minute
I can't take the look she's giving
Your body rocking, keep me up all night
One in a million
My lucky strike

Lucy was pulled by Natsu and again he danced with her. He was just happy Lucy was enjoying this. The smile on her face was the smile he longed to see. The smile she had a month ago. It was the smile Lucy had when they met her. Sure he always annoys her and he doesn't know why he just does that. There are a lot of other girls, some even hotter than her but he felt attached to her, like he wanted cling to her.. forever.

Got me so high, and then she dropped me
But she got me, she got me, she got me bad
Took me inside and then she rocked me
She keep up all night, this is what it sounds like

As if on cue Lucy felt that she needed to go now. She whispered softly. "I'm going back now. You need the stage yourselves!" Lucy smiled. She walked back but was pulled by Natsu again. He danced with her again and for one final move he twirled her. Her feet dangled which caused her to slightly fall. But he caught her and pulled her into him. "Sorry." She whispered. Then she runs to the back stage.

Oh oh oh my lucky strike
Oh oh oh my lucky strike
Your body rocking, keep me up all night
One in a million, my lucky strike

Hey, you're taking all my pain away
You're shaking like an earthquake
Hey, you're taking all my pain away
You're shaking like an earthquake

Got me so high, and then she dropped me
But she got me, she got me, she got me bad
Took me inside and then she rocked me
She keep up all night, this is what it sounds like

Oh oh oh my lucky strike
Oh oh oh my lucky strike
Your body rocking, keep me up all night
One in a million, my lucky strike

Lucy went out of the stage at the middle of the song. Sure she was enjoying this but the band needs the spotlight themselves and she doesn't want to be in it as distraction or something. The crowd roared in enjoyment. Are they really this popular? Lucy just doesn't know. She even doesn't know that their songs were on her iPod. How come she didn't know? Well this is Lucy. Lucy was thankful she was able to join them. She was thankful they saved her from being a total failure in this. She hadn't offered them the contract but yes they were invited. So after all this, she will definitely make them sign the contract every contestant signed. She was glad Juvia's here. She's the real saviour –Or maybe not the full one, cause there's Natsu who defended her from Sting. Her heart beats fast.

"So are you happy now?" The singing Fairy Law band continued their succession in the background. Lucy recognized that voice. She could be able to identify it anywhere. She turned around and she was right.

My lucky strike, my lucky strike
Your body rocking, keep me up all night
One in a million

"Lisanna?" Lucy smiled at her. She was glad Lisanna was fine. She walked up to her. "Where have you been? Everyone is worried about you. I'm sorry about Juvi –"

SLAP

"That's for being a bitch again. I already told you he's mine." Lucy's cheek has swollen. Tears were visible on her eyes but she tried to hold it back. "You're stealing my friends away from me! You even get someone to replace me!"

"I-I-I didn't steal them fro –"

"Shut up! I think you asked Erza to make that story up and my band would pity you." Lisanna smirked. "That's right I'll convince them you're just using them for the benefit of your hotel just like at the inn."

"It's not true!" Lucy shouted this time. "I've always treated everyone as potential friends! I even considered you as one! I tried, but it's you who kept on distancing yourself. I'm sorry Lisanna but I can't take it anymore. I can't be friends with you! I'm sorry!"

"Who said I wanted to?" Lisanna walked closer to Lucy. "No one wanted. The band's just using you for popularity, for fortune that's why they're trying hard to get close to you."

"No. They're not." Lucy said not wanting to believe any of Lisanna's words. "They're not like that!"

"It's true. You're just too pathetic –"

"ENOUGH LISANNA!" A loud voice came from the other side of the stage. Both girls looked in that direction and saw the whole band along with Juvia. Natsu is stomping his way to them. Lisanna looked at him with wide eyes.

Lisanna tried to explain to him. "Natsu –"

"Don't touch me now Lis. I don't know if I should believe you or not but I heard everything from your mouth. Our song has ended some time ago and you haven't even notice it because you're too busy hurting Lucy, but thanks to that I've known the truth." He turned to Lucy and walked closer to her. He encircled his arms around her and buried her face in his chest. "I'm sorry Luce."

"THAT WAS AWESO –" It was Erza and Jellal. The just came from the audience side and came to congratulate Lucy and the band. "What happened here?" Erza stepped closer. "Lucy?"

Juvia walked beside Erza and held her back when she seemed to understand what was happening. "Natsu knew the truth. They've heard everything from Lisanna."

Erza looked at the three band members and very sadly, except for Gray because he knew the truth for like 2 chapters ago, they nodded. But Erza continued walking towards them she pulled Lisanna by the arm and made her face her then Erza slapped her hard on the cheek. "That's for making Lucy cry again."