Hello everyone!

I'm not back! TT-TT I'm sorry for making you wait, but I can't promise an update soon. But I'll try to finish this (there's actually a long story line for this but I guess I'll shorten it after all. . .)

I really have no words right now to say, but thank you for waiting patiently and following this story. Especially those who were giving their reviews on this. I'm very sorry, I haven't been gone to fanfiction in a while and I didn't really gotten the time to write the other chapters.

But I'll try my best for updates! So for now, here's chapter 20!

Enjoy!

Twentieth Wish:
Agreement

"No way!"

The two men immediately replied with great certainty.

"Why not?"

Lucy persisted.

Tick marks appeared at Natsu's head. "Why do I need to work with that creep?"

"Aye! Lucy, I also think this is not a good idea!" Happy nodded along at Natsu's statement.

"Hmph! As if I'll do anything to help this human!" Loki crossed his arms in defiance, stressing the word "human" as if it was a curse word.

She pursed her lips as she stared at him in annoyance. "I understand Natsu's reaction, but you can't complain. We had an agreement. You said you'll listen to my request!" she reminded him.

He flinched as he remembered their earlier promise. He looked at her in shock. "That's your request?"

She smiled and nodded. "Hehe. . . I want you to help us. Natsu especially. . . "

Loki was almost speechless at this. "You . . . You want me to help that man!?" he asked indignantly.

It wasn't only him, even Natsu hated the thought.

"I don't need his help! This creep almost killed me!"

Not knowing the incident earlier, Lucy thought he was referring about their first meeting. After all, Loki did promise that he wouldn't hurt him. "Natsu, I understand why you feel that way but hear me out. Your meeting may be rocky at start but that's because he wants to . . . 'protect' me" she defended, slightly hesitating when she said the word "protect".

"Besides, I don't think Loki really meant to kill you. He may not look like it, but he's really kind once you get to know him."

"At least you understand" Loki nodded.

Natsu frowned, unconvinced as he remembered the pressure on his neck. But then again, if that creep really wanted to kill him, he would have done so long ago. With his power, taking his life away was as easy as breaking a twig. Still, he didn't like the idea of using the creep's help.

Seeing the disagreement in his eyes, Lucy continued more with her explanation.

"But this will be for the benefit of everyone! I hate to admit this, but after reading through books, I realized I lack practical experience of the human world. Loki knows a lot about this place and he's very good at making human girls love him! He will be lots of help to you with his experience!" she told him.

Natsu balked, his eye twitching. Oh heck no! He won't listen to the love advice of a creep like him.

"And you" she pointed at Loki. "If you want to take me home, wouldn't it be better for you to help me finish the contract? If the Golden contract is fulfilled, nothing can chain me in this world anymore. Not to mention, I will no longer have any business in the human world. The faster I finish this, the faster I can go home!"

For some reason, Natsu's stomach lurched downward at her words. His chest felt heavy in protest. I guess I really hate that creep . . . he thought. He must be having this feeling because he hated the idea of that guy helping him. She has to go home after all, right?

. . .

"It's a win-win situation!"

Well . . . despite their internal protests, there was no denying the truth in her words. They could both benefit in the situation, indeed. The creep looked like a playboy and can help him a lot in having the princess. They both knew that the faster they finish the contract, the better would it be for the both of them. It was actually wise of Lucy to ask for Loki's help on this one. Natsu always doubted Lucy's "expertise" on Love, and he wouldn't want anything more than get his princess. At remembering his princess, his stubbornness softened. I guess I will use any means necessary, huh?

Both boys looked reluctantly at each other. Lucy's words were true indeed. It would be for the best of everyone. But there was a problem. While working together would be for their benefit, they just couldn't help but dislike each other. There was bad blood between them since the moment they met.

Lucy, who was becoming more impatient, crossed her arms. "Hmph! Fine! If you don't want to do it, then don't! I did say you could decline, right Loki? I just thought you want your desire fulfilled faster but maybe you prefer us to take our own sweet time. . ."

She turned away from them.

"W-Wait, Lucy!"

The girl walked away from them, pouting. "Don't follow me! Until you two get along, I won't come with you! Happy, watch over those two!"

And with that, she closed the door and left.

The three sweated as an awkward silence filled the room.

"So . . ." Happy started. "How do we start?"

Outside, Lucy decided to explore the Human world. Weirdly enough, there are places she felt familiar but couldn't really pinpoint it. "I guess this is really the world I visited" she mumbled.

Remembering the past was really hard. She knew she needed to replay the events in order to take back her lost memories. This was indeed the place that would help her in remembering the boy she met, she began to wonder.

How is he faring? How did they first meet? Why is Loki so keen on taking away her memories?

"Why are you so insistent on taking her home, anyway? Can't you see how much she hated it?" Natsu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Loki looked away, shoving his hands at his pockets. "That's none of your business."

Natsu crossed his arms. "Considering that I'm contracted to her, it is also my business" he said with a smile, but his irritation is obvious with the tick mark showing at his temple.

Loki returned his smile. "Ah, but considering you're just a human, you have no business with spirit matters."

"Unfortunately for you, I'm a human that can see spirits and it's natural for people like me to interfere with spirits. Besides, my contract dictates that I'm obligated to make her stay in this world."

Loki's smile turned to scorn as he looked at him. "Hah! All you got to do is fly her around town to see every man in this vicinity. That should count as seeing him again, right? Meanwhile, you have the nerve to ask us to be your matchmaker for someone who is completely out of your league!"

Natsu only rolled his eyes. "Tsk. No matter how much you complain, that's what our contract is" he stuck out his tongue as he crossed his arm.

He got a point. Loki could really say anything about that. No one can go against that stupid contract. Why did that woman so foolishly enter this contract with such a greedy and untrustworthy man!? All he could do was cry about it.

Then, the only thing he could do was end this contract as soon as possible. . .

He smirked as the idea came to him. "Then . . . how about we make a deal?"

. . . * . . .

End of Chapter

What wicked ideas does the Trickster god have this time?

Thank you for everyone who favorite and followed this story!

For those who reviewed, thank you! I'll try my best!