p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Lucy's POVbr /I walked, troubled, to the span class="SpellE"Sabertooth/span guild, at a second attempt of visiting after my first one failed me. The First had disappeared yesterday sometime during the afternoon, but Master was telling us not to worry, that this was all planned, and that the stars will decide when the time is right. I didn't know what any of that meant. I would ask Crux, considering he knew almost everything, especially things regarding stellar magic, but these were one of the rare days that he had off, and I was going to respect that. Playing with a strand of my loose hair, my eyes wandered as my feet walked along the path by pure muscle memory. I eyed the many rings that I wore, frowning at the sight of them against my bandaged hands. Those things were uncomfortable, but I needed them. Sighing, I wasn't surprised when I made I to the guild in record time. Instead of barging in like I usually did, though, I lingered at the doorway./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emWhat exactly do I wasn't to do by coming here? Should I tell them about everything? No, I shouldn't involve them further. But what will this do to help me? Why did I want to come here again? /emWith all these questions running through my head, and my lips in a firm pout, I knocked on the guild doors, hearing a shout of entry. Pushing open the doors slowly, I walked in, greeting everyone as I passed them. Sting and Rogue were in their usual spots, but their hair was braided, two certain, and smirking, ladies were behind them, and they themselves were a blushing mess as the guild laughed at them. The usual group spotted me, and waved me over with cheery smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Hey, what brings you here?" Rufus asked, smiling. I returned the gesture, taking a seat. I opened my mouth to speak, but hesitated, however, it seemed like I took a long pause, because span class="SpellE"Yukino/span quickly covered me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""She could've just wanted to see us, right?" She asked innocently, her eyes sparkling. Laughing nervously, I ruffled her hair a bit./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah, I just wanted to drop by, you know, maybe hang out a bit if you weren't busy; I barely get to see you guys!" I added with some forced enthusiasm. My mood turned bitter as I realized what had compelled me to come to span class="SpellE"Sabertooth/span. It was subconsciously, but the thought still scared me. I came to say goodbye before I left to defeat he enemy. Why would I say goodbye? There was the chance that I would die, that's why. Shaking my head of the horrible thoughts, I didn't realize that everyone was staring at me weirdly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Are you okay, Lucy?" Minerva asked worriedly, noticing as the blood drained form my face. Taking a shaky breath, I grinned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah, I think that I'm just a bit tired, is all," I quickly lied, thank myself internally that I had become a good liar over the course of my childhood, where my father was stern and would find any excuse to yell at me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Oh, then we have some meds in the infirmary! Should I get some?" span class="SpellE"Orga/span yelled out enthusiastically, and I laughed genuinely at his usual, energetic behavior./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Nah, I'm span class="GramE"fine/span, thanks." I said, my grin also genuine./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You seem more like yourself now," Rogue piped in, his hair now unbraided and joining the conversation./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I seriously don't get where your ideas are coming from, guys. I tell you, I'm fine! I just came to chill, honest." I defended, putting on a poker face as I raised my hands up./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Somehow, I was able to steer the conversation topic elsewhere, which was a relief, but we eventually split into groups, and I was stuck with Minerva andspan class="SpellE"Yukino/span as we talked about boys./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""SO, how are things going between you and Rogue~?" I said, my voice slightly span class="GramE"raised/span so that the said dragon slayer could also hear me from across the room. The tactic worked, as both parties blushed a deep shade of crimson. Eyeing them both with one brow raised, I ruffled span class="SpellE"Yukino's/span hair again, laughing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""All's well, anyone can see that. Don't span class="GramE"worry,/span take it one step at a time. I should know that, of all people," I said, smiling as span class="SpellE"Yukino/span timidly looked up. Grinning a bit, though paints still tinged with pink, she glanced over at Minerva./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well, Minerva's got someone special, as well, " She now bravely piped up, though she shivered as a hard glare was momentarily earned from the raven-haired mage. Smirking, I turned my attention to Minerva, who stiffened at my gaze on her back. She turned around slowly, a nervous grin on her face./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So?" I asked, expectantly, knowing that Minerva would give up; I was a very stubborn girl./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Rufus," She muttered, looking down. Shocked, my mouth hung agape, but I noticed the way she looked at her feet, and how she was alternating her weight between her right and left side./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Softening my gaze on her, I smiled at what seemed to be my former self./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Don't worry, love is a weird thing, but don't force it, it'll eventually come naturally," I said while putting an assuring hand on her shoulder. Taking this chance, though, the conversation was immediately focused back onto me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What about you? You seem to know a lot about this topic, don't you?" span class="SpellE"Yukino/span questioned, her innocent eyes now gleaming. Startled, I looked into space for a moment. emWhat would I say? What should I do? /emDropping my head, my bangs covering my eyes, I took a deep breath./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Then, picking my head back up, and smiling the most casual smile I could muster,/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm in love with span class="SpellE"Natsu/span," It was almost a whisper, but I knew they could hear me. As they stared on, my smile turned small as I looked at my hands./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emIf there's a chance that I'm going to die, then I have to accept this. It's not like I can run from the truth, is it? Besides, I've already accepted the fact before, so why can't I now, when I'm in the face of danger?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I looked back at them, who seemed to regain their composure./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Wow, that was blunt, yet respectable," span class="GramE"Minerva/span said, an eyebrow raised. As span class="SpellE"Yukino/span nodded, span class="GramE"I closed my eyes/span, span class="GramE"my head leaned back/span. I felt as loose strands of hair brushed past my face, and I was painfully aware of every heavy breath I took./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm going to die one day, and I'm going to disappear. There's a chance that could happen any day, at any time. That's the world we mages live in, isn't it? We put our lives on the line on every mission we go on, even if it's a simple one. So, what's the point of running from the truth?" I blurted my thought aloud, knowing that I would never regret it. Before they could add on, I stared at them again, but this time looked at them both square in the eye./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""The truth is, I'm on a very dangerous mission, and there's a possibility that I won't come back," I clasped their hands, my eyes getting watery. "Promise me that you'll take care of Fairy Tail, and that you'll keep smiling, even if I disappear." The heavy words let my tears start to spill out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Wha/span-," they started in span class="SpellE"unicent/span, but were cut off by the boys coming over, the slayers probably having scented the salt of my tears./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Lucy? Lucy, what's wrong?" Sting asked, concerned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Sorry, I have to go. I'll see you guys later, goodbye for now," with a wink towards my female friends, I teleported out of there, knowing that I couldn't hold it in anymore./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"No one's POVbr /span class="GramE"The/span blonde celestial mage disappeared, leaving the stunned group behind as the flash of gold from her brilliant magic slowly faded. span class="GramE"The girls were crying, the boys left confused./span The two females were the only ones who knew the true meaning of the words she spoke. Would she come back, no one knew the answer to that. However, what the two girls did span class="GramE"know,/span was that Lucy was meddling with something that was far too dangerous for her to handle. She had plucked a corrupted flower in a field of daisies./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Lucy's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I pulled my knees toward my chest, leaning against the trunk of a tree in Fairy Tail's training grounds. I faced the forest, so no one could spot the tears that were slowly making their way down my face./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emDeath. What a scary thing. Have I really accepted the fact that it exists in this world, that it hangs over my head every second of the day? I don't want to die. I never thought of the possibility that I could die. span class="GramE"So why now?/span Why lose all my faith, my trust, my bravery, at this moment? Why before the battle? Why before I could take action? Why after I've finally thought of what I should do? Life isn't a fairy tale, so why did I think that I would live my life as one? There are still so many things I want to do, though./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I cradled my head in my arms, not noticing the new presence next to me. However, once I felt the warmth that overwhelmed me, smelled the familiar scent of timber and smoke, and saw the blurry color of cherry blossoms through my tears, I looked up./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Natsu/span," My voice came out weakly, raspy even. He looked at me with an intense gaze, his eyebrows pointed upwards in concern./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""…Lucy? What's wrong, don't span class="GramE"cry…,"/span He started, coming closer. Looking at him for a moment, I felt relief wash over me. Throwing myself at him, pushing us both to the grass, hugging, I found comfort in his warmth./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Lu-" I cut him off by burying my face into his chest and putting one of my hands on his mouth./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Can we… just stay like this for a moment?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Okay, do you mind me asking why?"br /"Because, you're my best friend, and you're always there for me, so be there for me now."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""…"br /"span class="SpellE"Natsu/span?"br /"Yeah, Luce?"br /"…span class="SpellE"Nevermind/span"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emIf I can be with span class="SpellE"Natsu/span like this, then I guess things won't be so bad. He'll be by my side, after all, right? And if I want to stay with him like this… then I won't die. I'll fight. But what happened to my bravery? What happened to doing it the Fairy Tail way? span class="GramE"With no regrets?/span If push comes to shove, and I start doubting myself, then I'll just have to fight. I'll fight to live, and I'll live for Fairy Tail./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"My fist clenched, I pulled away from span class="SpellE"Natsu/span, span class="GramE"the/span tears drying as a small wind passed us by./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Luce, what's wrong?" span class="SpellE"Natsu/span askedspan class="GramE",/span his lips put into a small frown. Holding his hand and putting it to his chest, I laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Just some self-doubt. But don't worry, everything's fine now, thanks to you. You don't know how much you help me some times, span class="SpellE"Natsu/span," I commented lightly, ruffling his hair as I stood up. Letting go of his hand, I looked up, at the vibrant leaves of the tree, and the blue sky above it that was peaking through the shades of green. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I looked down at the slayer for once, seeing that he was taller than span class="GramE"me and all,/span and smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Catch you later," I said, not willing to say goodbye as I started to walk away, my head held up high./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="SpellE"Natsu's/span POVbr /"Never mind," I was heartbroken. She wouldn't tell me what the problem was, would she? Or was it something span class="GramE"else…?/span However, before I knew it, she was out of my reach and walking away. My eyes widened as a vision suddenly filled my eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emHer back towards me, she walked away, and span class="GramE"smile/span on her lips. She began to run, disappearing, never to be seen again, her golden hair swaying behind her as a burst of magic overwhelmed her. However, she returned, battered and bruised, nearing death, yet suffering… /emI shook my head as I watched her walk away. Then, without thinking, I ran up and grabbed her hand, stopping her from going any further./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Where you going, Luce? Didn't you just say that I would be there for you? You better not be trying to leave me behind, now," I tried joking, but my desperation and worry leaked through my voice. emShe would go fight him alone, would span class="GramE"she…?/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Natsu…" she said uncertainly, her shining eyes wavering. I looked back firmly, before pulling her back to me. Everything seemed to go in slow motion, the way she stumbled over to me, the way her hair swayed, the way the span class="SpellE"the/span wind rustled my own hair, and the way that out eyes met… especially the way that it felt so right. emThat's right, /emI thought as she was settled in my embrace, emshe's my Luce, and no one's going to hurt her ever again. /emShe was definitely going to do something reckless, I could tell the way her eyes showed hesitation and determination, a look I've worn too many times. My brows furrowed as I embraced her tighter, as I tried to convey the message I wanted to./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"So, whispering, I tried to put it as simply as I could./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Stop trying to play the hero, you'll only get hurt. Try to depend on me a bit more, Luce…" I felt her stiffen up for a second, but then she relaxed, her body going limp./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Maybe I'll try it out," She giggled at the end, and I smiled, but started to frown again when she pulled away. The warm feeling I got was gone. Pouting, I pulled her back in, surprising her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Natsu/spanspan class="GramE"…?"/span She asked, confused. I cast a span class="GramE"side glance/span at her from where my head was positioned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Just, stay like this. You're there for me, too, right?" I asked, enjoying the bubbling feeling that I was getting in my chest. emLove. /emI wasn't stupid. I may not be the sharpest guy, but I knew how to differentiate feelings when it came to span class="SpellE"nakama/span. This was the case, yet it felt so new. I breathed in her normal, intoxicating scent. We were all so focused on everything that mating season flew by without a hitch. I was relieved, to be honest. span class="GramE"Strawberry and vanilla./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Suddenly, an unidentifiable feeling flooded me, and I was confused. I felt my magic getting stronger, becoming span class="GramE"amplified,/span yet leaving my body at the same time. As I was trying to pinpoint what was happening, Lucy started to glow a bright gold, but it was even brighter than the magic that encased her in my vision. As we pulled apart, staring at each other, wide eyed, I realized that I, myself was surrounded by a fire red aura. Letting go of her, I studied the flat of my palm on one of my hands. Magical energy, but it wasn't fire. It was raw magic. Both of our heads snapped back to the left, though, when we saw a purple aura appear out of thin air. I could only process one thing in my mind./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="SpellE"emKukyo/em/spanem. Danger. /emHe ran for us, his hand outstretched while he wore crazed eyes with a panicked expression./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""GET AWAY FORM HER!" he shouted, and lunged for me. I tried to dodge, but he teleported behind me, kicking me away from Luce. However, it seemed that whatever he was trying to avoid had happened, for he sunk to his knees, screaming, as the Earth shook. My aura had slowly disappeared, but Lucy's still grew strong, practically blinding me. Shading my eyes with my hand, I saw the faint figures of Fairy Tail members flooding through the doors through the piercing light./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The earth continued to shake, but then I saw Lucy gape at something poking out of the ground./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Lucy's POVbr /There it was. The crystal was emerging from the cracked ground. I braced myself as the earth shook, digging my heels into the ground, but then span class="SpellE"Loke/spanappeared beside me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What the hell's going onspan class="GramE"?!"/span I shouted at him, hoping for some answers. He stood silent for a moment, floating above the ground, unaffected./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Lucy… span class="SpellE"Natsu's/span right, you really should stop playing hero…" span class="SpellE"Loke's/span voice quivered, and he sounded span class="GramE"all nervous/span, shocked, and frightened./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What do you meanspan class="GramE"?!"/span I yelled over the roar of the ground cracking as more of the crystal emerged./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Haha/span, you've really grown…" He was span class="GramE"sweating, eyes/span wide./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You… your subconscious wish to defeat your opponent summoned the primordial magic inside of you, a dormant magic in all wizards…" He continued, laughing nervously as his body started to shake, which was unlike him. This just made me more impatient./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What is span class="GramE"it?!/span Spit it out, span class="SpellE"Loke/span!" I shouted at him as the crystal now towered over everyone, and the shaking began to fade./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You… you summoned this crystal," He said as he started to fade. HE looked up at the sky, and let out a tired smile./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What does that even meanspan class="GramE"?!"/span I yelled once again, even though the boom of the earth was gone./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It means… you've awakened a frightening power, Lucy," He said, his body fading./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Wait! You're not going to fight with mespan class="GramE"?!"/span I asked, this being my turn to panic./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Sorry, the Stars summon me. Apparently, this was predicted from the start. AS you said, Fate has a twisted sense of humor, right? This is a test from heaven, Lucy, so face it and overcome it, and everything will go back to normal… or at least span class="GramE"slightly…."/span He trailed off as he fully disappeared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I was left, confused and panicked, knowing that my primary magic wouldn't be there to support me. Clenching my teeth, I turned on my heel as the smoke from the damage subsided. Once I saw the target, I didn't hesitate. emI'll fight./em My legs pumped as I charged, my fist glowing with magic, my aura not disappearing. I saw some of the members charge forward with me. Raising my fist, I cringed as I heard the maniacal, diabolic laugh of his. emI'll live. /emI stopped in my tracks, though, when he kicked Cana, Freed, and Mira away with full force, probably breaking some bones. span class="GramE"emThree strong mages, possibly dead./em/spanem /emMy fist hung limply beside me as he finished off four more. emCutting through like butter… /emAll of a sudden, my blood started to boil, anger flowing through my veins. I raised my fist again, and ran, punching span class="SpellE"Kukyo/span to the ground. Mentally, I screamed. I was having too many mood swings, letting my emotions take control over me. This wasn't good. I'm switching channels faster than a TV. I'm and then I'm white, what the hell's going on? I didn't even think as I changed position, kicking span class="SpellE"Kukyo/span back down as soon as he tried to get up. He grabbed my, leg, attempting to twist it, but I jumped back, his fingers sliding off. He jumped up as well, his attention focused back on me, only to be attacked by a wounded span class="SpellE"Erza/span behind him. span class="SpellE"span class="GramE"emErza/em/span/spanspan class="GramE"em…!/em/spanem /emHowever, he retaliated just a quickly, knocking her into a tree./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="GramE"emBreathe/em/spanem, span class="GramE"you can do this/span. Think, think, think, span class="GramE"think/span. Breathe, just breathe, and calm down. You can span class="GramE"do this/span, span class="GramE"believe in yourself/span. /emAs I watched my teammates slowly drop one by one, blood staining the training grounds, my eyes caught the blue crystal towering over everyone. Was I stupid? The answer was so obvious. I went towards the crystal, my aura becoming more concentrated, but was blasted away by a beam of dark magic. I turned my head. span class="SpellE"Kukyo/span stood there, only a scratch on his back he received from span class="SpellE"Erza/span, and he towered over the bruised bodies under him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""They weren't much, were they?" He mocked, and I narrowed my eyes. My magic flared, more powerful than before. However, it sizzled down as the last person went down with a flash of pink. emThat span class="GramE"fast…?/span span class="GramE"Why…?/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""That crystal… the closer it is, the more powerful I become. Not like you can destroy it, anyway," He said, the smirk obvious in his face, but his voice seemed strained, as if the arrogance wasn't coming out as smoothly as usual. He shouldn't be underestimated, though. I winced as the wound from his attack started to close with my advanced healing. span class="GramE"Blood was everywhere/span, span class="GramE"it pained every corner/span. It turned the training grounds into a war zone. H seemed to notice as my eyes trailed the substance, because he laughed, his magic level rising. He bent down, trailing the blood with his finger./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You know… red was always my favorite color!" He charged towards me, and I was pushed into defense. He kicked and punched, and even though I blocked them all, they managed to bruise my arms and legs. I jumped back several times, trying to find some distance, but it never worked. Eventually, my legs gave in, sending me tumbling to the floor./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Such a shame… you were more fun last time…" He purred, his arms span class="GramE"raised/span as he started an incantation. emI'll live… I won't die that easily/em. I gritted my teeth, also murmuring and incantation, trying to stand up./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Holy-"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Pain's Requiem~" it came out as a sadistic giggle, but that was all it took to know that it was a finishing move./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Aquarius…" I whispered under my breath, managing to summon a barrier. Would it even do anything, though? I braced my-span class="GramE"self/span as the powerful spell was unleashed, almost sending me to the ground by the sheer amount of magic behind it alone. Clenching my fists, I willed myself for the impact./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I WON'T DIEspan class="GramE"!"/span I screamed, focusing all my will into this barrier. My eyes closed, I concentrated, and waited… but the attack never came. Lifting my lids slowly, I gaped in horror at the three bodies that lay limp before me, the three familiar magic's fading from the air./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="SpellE"Erza/span, Gray, and span class="SpellE"Natsu/span, all at my feet, blood pooling beneath them. Tears came once again, the thing I hated most./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""No… span class="GramE"no…!"/span I prayed with my screams to the heavens. This was a test too cruel, what had I done, no, what had Fairy Tail done, to deserve this cruel punishment? "They can't be dead… YOU MONSTER!span class="GramE"",/span I felt my magic flare once again as I glared at the laughing monster in front of me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"HAhahahaha/span! How amusing! Such fools! Well, they're all going to die anyway, so what's the differencespan class="GramE"?!"/span He wheezed out between giggles, completely insane. I dropped to my knees, using all my healing magic on the three. I had managed to close up the serious wounds, and I breathed out in relief, knowing that they wouldn't leave this world just yet./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"They slowly got up, barely acknowledging me as they entered battle positions. Cana and span class="SpellE"Juvia/span followed suit, pooling up their magic's. Levy, span class="SpellE"Gajeel/span, Freed, span class="SpellE"Laxus/span, Wendy… Jet, span class="SpellE"Droy/span, Macao, Wakaba… span class="SpellE"Elfman/span, span class="SpellE"Lisanna/span… The tears kept coming as I was moved by their sheer determination. I myself got up, knowing what I had to do./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Our Mission: Obliterate the Enemy/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emWhat exactly do I wasn't to do by coming here? Should I tell them about everything? No, I shouldn't involve them further. But what will this do to help me? Why did I want to come here again? /emWith all these questions running through my head, and my lips in a firm pout, I knocked on the guild doors, hearing a shout of entry. Pushing open the doors slowly, I walked in, greeting everyone as I passed them. Sting and Rogue were in their usual spots, but their hair was braided, two certain, and smirking, ladies were behind them, and they themselves were a blushing mess as the guild laughed at them. The usual group spotted me, and waved me over with cheery smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Hey, what brings you here?" Rufus asked, smiling. I returned the gesture, taking a seat. I opened my mouth to speak, but hesitated, however, it seemed like I took a long pause, because span class="SpellE"Yukino/span quickly covered me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""She could've just wanted to see us, right?" She asked innocently, her eyes sparkling. Laughing nervously, I ruffled her hair a bit./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah, I just wanted to drop by, you know, maybe hang out a bit if you weren't busy; I barely get to see you guys!" I added with some forced enthusiasm. My mood turned bitter as I realized what had compelled me to come to span class="SpellE"Sabertooth/span. It was subconsciously, but the thought still scared me. I came to say goodbye before I left to defeat he enemy. Why would I say goodbye? There was the chance that I would die, that's why. Shaking my head of the horrible thoughts, I didn't realize that everyone was staring at me weirdly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Are you okay, Lucy?" Minerva asked worriedly, noticing as the blood drained form my face. Taking a shaky breath, I grinned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah, I think that I'm just a bit tired, is all," I quickly lied, thank myself internally that I had become a good liar over the course of my childhood, where my father was stern and would find any excuse to yell at me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Oh, then we have some meds in the infirmary! Should I get some?" span class="SpellE"Orga/span yelled out enthusiastically, and I laughed genuinely at his usual, energetic behavior./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Nah, I'm span class="GramE"fine/span, thanks." I said, my grin also genuine./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You seem more like yourself now," Rogue piped in, his hair now unbraided and joining the conversation./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I seriously don't get where your ideas are coming from, guys. I tell you, I'm fine! I just came to chill, honest." I defended, putting on a poker face as I raised my hands up./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Somehow, I was able to steer the conversation topic elsewhere, which was a relief, but we eventually split into groups, and I was stuck with Minerva andspan class="SpellE"Yukino/span as we talked about boys./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""SO, how are things going between you and Rogue~?" I said, my voice slightly span class="GramE"raised/span so that the said dragon slayer could also hear me from across the room. The tactic worked, as both parties blushed a deep shade of crimson. Eyeing them both with one brow raised, I ruffled span class="SpellE"Yukino's/span hair again, laughing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""All's well, anyone can see that. Don't span class="GramE"worry,/span take it one step at a time. I should know that, of all people," I said, smiling as span class="SpellE"Yukino/span timidly looked up. Grinning a bit, though paints still tinged with pink, she glanced over at Minerva./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well, Minerva's got someone special, as well, " She now bravely piped up, though she shivered as a hard glare was momentarily earned from the raven-haired mage. Smirking, I turned my attention to Minerva, who stiffened at my gaze on her back. She turned around slowly, a nervous grin on her face./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So?" I asked, expectantly, knowing that Minerva would give up; I was a very stubborn girl./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Rufus," She muttered, looking down. Shocked, my mouth hung agape, but I noticed the way she looked at her feet, and how she was alternating her weight between her right and left side./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Softening my gaze on her, I smiled at what seemed to be my former self./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Don't worry, love is a weird thing, but don't force it, it'll eventually come naturally," I said while putting an assuring hand on her shoulder. Taking this chance, though, the conversation was immediately focused back onto me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What about you? You seem to know a lot about this topic, don't you?" span class="SpellE"Yukino/span questioned, her innocent eyes now gleaming. Startled, I looked into space for a moment. emWhat would I say? What should I do? /emDropping my head, my bangs covering my eyes, I took a deep breath./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Then, picking my head back up, and smiling the most casual smile I could muster,/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm in love with span class="SpellE"Natsu/span," It was almost a whisper, but I knew they could hear me. As they stared on, my smile turned small as I looked at my hands./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emIf there's a chance that I'm going to die, then I have to accept this. It's not like I can run from the truth, is it? Besides, I've already accepted the fact before, so why can't I now, when I'm in the face of danger?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I looked back at them, who seemed to regain their composure./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Wow, that was blunt, yet respectable," span class="GramE"Minerva/span said, an eyebrow raised. As span class="SpellE"Yukino/span nodded, span class="GramE"I closed my eyes/span, span class="GramE"my head leaned back/span. I felt as loose strands of hair brushed past my face, and I was painfully aware of every heavy breath I took./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm going to die one day, and I'm going to disappear. There's a chance that could happen any day, at any time. That's the world we mages live in, isn't it? We put our lives on the line on every mission we go on, even if it's a simple one. So, what's the point of running from the truth?" I blurted my thought aloud, knowing that I would never regret it. Before they could add on, I stared at them again, but this time looked at them both square in the eye./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""The truth is, I'm on a very dangerous mission, and there's a possibility that I won't come back," I clasped their hands, my eyes getting watery. "Promise me that you'll take care of Fairy Tail, and that you'll keep smiling, even if I disappear." The heavy words let my tears start to spill out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Wha/span-," they started in span class="SpellE"unicent/span, but were cut off by the boys coming over, the slayers probably having scented the salt of my tears./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Lucy? Lucy, what's wrong?" Sting asked, concerned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Sorry, I have to go. I'll see you guys later, goodbye for now," with a wink towards my female friends, I teleported out of there, knowing that I couldn't hold it in anymore./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"No one's POVbr /span class="GramE"The/span blonde celestial mage disappeared, leaving the stunned group behind as the flash of gold from her brilliant magic slowly faded. span class="GramE"The girls were crying, the boys left confused./span The two females were the only ones who knew the true meaning of the words she spoke. Would she come back, no one knew the answer to that. However, what the two girls did span class="GramE"know,/span was that Lucy was meddling with something that was far too dangerous for her to handle. She had plucked a corrupted flower in a field of daisies./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Lucy's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I pulled my knees toward my chest, leaning against the trunk of a tree in Fairy Tail's training grounds. I faced the forest, so no one could spot the tears that were slowly making their way down my face./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emDeath. What a scary thing. Have I really accepted the fact that it exists in this world, that it hangs over my head every second of the day? I don't want to die. I never thought of the possibility that I could die. span class="GramE"So why now?/span Why lose all my faith, my trust, my bravery, at this moment? Why before the battle? Why before I could take action? Why after I've finally thought of what I should do? Life isn't a fairy tale, so why did I think that I would live my life as one? There are still so many things I want to do, though./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I cradled my head in my arms, not noticing the new presence next to me. However, once I felt the warmth that overwhelmed me, smelled the familiar scent of timber and smoke, and saw the blurry color of cherry blossoms through my tears, I looked up./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Natsu/span," My voice came out weakly, raspy even. He looked at me with an intense gaze, his eyebrows pointed upwards in concern./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""…Lucy? What's wrong, don't span class="GramE"cry…,"/span He started, coming closer. Looking at him for a moment, I felt relief wash over me. Throwing myself at him, pushing us both to the grass, hugging, I found comfort in his warmth./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Lu-" I cut him off by burying my face into his chest and putting one of my hands on his mouth./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Can we… just stay like this for a moment?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Okay, do you mind me asking why?"br /"Because, you're my best friend, and you're always there for me, so be there for me now."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""…"br /"span class="SpellE"Natsu/span?"br /"Yeah, Luce?"br /"…span class="SpellE"Nevermind/span"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emIf I can be with span class="SpellE"Natsu/span like this, then I guess things won't be so bad. He'll be by my side, after all, right? And if I want to stay with him like this… then I won't die. I'll fight. But what happened to my bravery? What happened to doing it the Fairy Tail way? span class="GramE"With no regrets?/span If push comes to shove, and I start doubting myself, then I'll just have to fight. I'll fight to live, and I'll live for Fairy Tail./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"My fist clenched, I pulled away from span class="SpellE"Natsu/span, span class="GramE"the/span tears drying as a small wind passed us by./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Luce, what's wrong?" span class="SpellE"Natsu/span askedspan class="GramE",/span his lips put into a small frown. Holding his hand and putting it to his chest, I laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Just some self-doubt. But don't worry, everything's fine now, thanks to you. You don't know how much you help me some times, span class="SpellE"Natsu/span," I commented lightly, ruffling his hair as I stood up. Letting go of his hand, I looked up, at the vibrant leaves of the tree, and the blue sky above it that was peaking through the shades of green. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I looked down at the slayer for once, seeing that he was taller than span class="GramE"me and all,/span and smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Catch you later," I said, not willing to say goodbye as I started to walk away, my head held up high./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="SpellE"Natsu's/span POVbr /"Never mind," I was heartbroken. She wouldn't tell me what the problem was, would she? Or was it something span class="GramE"else…?/span However, before I knew it, she was out of my reach and walking away. My eyes widened as a vision suddenly filled my eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"emHer back towards me, she walked away, and span class="GramE"smile/span on her lips. She began to run, disappearing, never to be seen again, her golden hair swaying behind her as a burst of magic overwhelmed her. However, she returned, battered and bruised, nearing death, yet suffering… /emI shook my head as I watched her walk away. Then, without thinking, I ran up and grabbed her hand, stopping her from going any further./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Where you going, Luce? Didn't you just say that I would be there for you? You better not be trying to leave me behind, now," I tried joking, but my desperation and worry leaked through my voice. emShe would go fight him alone, would span class="GramE"she…?/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Natsu…" she said uncertainly, her shining eyes wavering. I looked back firmly, before pulling her back to me. Everything seemed to go in slow motion, the way she stumbled over to me, the way her hair swayed, the way the span class="SpellE"the/span wind rustled my own hair, and the way that out eyes met… especially the way that it felt so right. emThat's right, /emI thought as she was settled in my embrace, emshe's my Luce, and no one's going to hurt her ever again. /emShe was definitely going to do something reckless, I could tell the way her eyes showed hesitation and determination, a look I've worn too many times. My brows furrowed as I embraced her tighter, as I tried to convey the message I wanted to./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"So, whispering, I tried to put it as simply as I could./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Stop trying to play the hero, you'll only get hurt. Try to depend on me a bit more, Luce…" I felt her stiffen up for a second, but then she relaxed, her body going limp./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Maybe I'll try it out," She giggled at the end, and I smiled, but started to frown again when she pulled away. The warm feeling I got was gone. Pouting, I pulled her back in, surprising her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Natsu/spanspan class="GramE"…?"/span She asked, confused. I cast a span class="GramE"side glance/span at her from where my head was positioned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Just, stay like this. You're there for me, too, right?" I asked, enjoying the bubbling feeling that I was getting in my chest. emLove. /emI wasn't stupid. I may not be the sharpest guy, but I knew how to differentiate feelings when it came to span class="SpellE"nakama/span. This was the case, yet it felt so new. I breathed in her normal, intoxicating scent. We were all so focused on everything that mating season flew by without a hitch. I was relieved, to be honest. span class="GramE"Strawberry and vanilla./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Suddenly, an unidentifiable feeling flooded me, and I was confused. I felt my magic getting stronger, becoming span class="GramE"amplified,/span yet leaving my body at the same time. As I was trying to pinpoint what was happening, Lucy started to glow a bright gold, but it was even brighter than the magic that encased her in my vision. As we pulled apart, staring at each other, wide eyed, I realized that I, myself was surrounded by a fire red aura. Letting go of her, I studied the flat of my palm on one of my hands. Magical energy, but it wasn't fire. It was raw magic. Both of our heads snapped back to the left, though, when we saw a purple aura appear out of thin air. I could only process one thing in my mind./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="SpellE"emKukyo/em/spanem. Danger. /emHe ran for us, his hand outstretched while he wore crazed eyes with a panicked expression./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""GET AWAY FORM HER!" he shouted, and lunged for me. I tried to dodge, but he teleported behind me, kicking me away from Luce. However, it seemed that whatever he was trying to avoid had happened, for he sunk to his knees, screaming, as the Earth shook. My aura had slowly disappeared, but Lucy's still grew strong, practically blinding me. Shading my eyes with my hand, I saw the faint figures of Fairy Tail members flooding through the doors through the piercing light./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The earth continued to shake, but then I saw Lucy gape at something poking out of the ground./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Lucy's POVbr /There it was. The crystal was emerging from the cracked ground. I braced myself as the earth shook, digging my heels into the ground, but then span class="SpellE"Loke/spanappeared beside me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What the hell's going onspan class="GramE"?!"/span I shouted at him, hoping for some answers. He stood silent for a moment, floating above the ground, unaffected./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Lucy… span class="SpellE"Natsu's/span right, you really should stop playing hero…" span class="SpellE"Loke's/span voice quivered, and he sounded span class="GramE"all nervous/span, shocked, and frightened./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What do you meanspan class="GramE"?!"/span I yelled over the roar of the ground cracking as more of the crystal emerged./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"Haha/span, you've really grown…" He was span class="GramE"sweating, eyes/span wide./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You… your subconscious wish to defeat your opponent summoned the primordial magic inside of you, a dormant magic in all wizards…" He continued, laughing nervously as his body started to shake, which was unlike him. This just made me more impatient./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What is span class="GramE"it?!/span Spit it out, span class="SpellE"Loke/span!" I shouted at him as the crystal now towered over everyone, and the shaking began to fade./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You… you summoned this crystal," He said as he started to fade. HE looked up at the sky, and let out a tired smile./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What does that even meanspan class="GramE"?!"/span I yelled once again, even though the boom of the earth was gone./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It means… you've awakened a frightening power, Lucy," He said, his body fading./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Wait! You're not going to fight with mespan class="GramE"?!"/span I asked, this being my turn to panic./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Sorry, the Stars summon me. Apparently, this was predicted from the start. AS you said, Fate has a twisted sense of humor, right? This is a test from heaven, Lucy, so face it and overcome it, and everything will go back to normal… or at least span class="GramE"slightly…."/span He trailed off as he fully disappeared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I was left, confused and panicked, knowing that my primary magic wouldn't be there to support me. Clenching my teeth, I turned on my heel as the smoke from the damage subsided. Once I saw the target, I didn't hesitate. emI'll fight./em My legs pumped as I charged, my fist glowing with magic, my aura not disappearing. I saw some of the members charge forward with me. Raising my fist, I cringed as I heard the maniacal, diabolic laugh of his. emI'll live. /emI stopped in my tracks, though, when he kicked Cana, Freed, and Mira away with full force, probably breaking some bones. span class="GramE"emThree strong mages, possibly dead./em/spanem /emMy fist hung limply beside me as he finished off four more. emCutting through like butter… /emAll of a sudden, my blood started to boil, anger flowing through my veins. I raised my fist again, and ran, punching span class="SpellE"Kukyo/span to the ground. Mentally, I screamed. I was having too many mood swings, letting my emotions take control over me. This wasn't good. I'm switching channels faster than a TV. I'm and then I'm white, what the hell's going on? I didn't even think as I changed position, kicking span class="SpellE"Kukyo/span back down as soon as he tried to get up. He grabbed my, leg, attempting to twist it, but I jumped back, his fingers sliding off. He jumped up as well, his attention focused back on me, only to be attacked by a wounded span class="SpellE"Erza/span behind him. span class="SpellE"span class="GramE"emErza/em/span/spanspan class="GramE"em…!/em/spanem /emHowever, he retaliated just a quickly, knocking her into a tree./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="GramE"emBreathe/em/spanem, span class="GramE"you can do this/span. Think, think, think, span class="GramE"think/span. Breathe, just breathe, and calm down. You can span class="GramE"do this/span, span class="GramE"believe in yourself/span. /emAs I watched my teammates slowly drop one by one, blood staining the training grounds, my eyes caught the blue crystal towering over everyone. Was I stupid? The answer was so obvious. I went towards the crystal, my aura becoming more concentrated, but was blasted away by a beam of dark magic. I turned my head. span class="SpellE"Kukyo/span stood there, only a scratch on his back he received from span class="SpellE"Erza/span, and he towered over the bruised bodies under him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""They weren't much, were they?" He mocked, and I narrowed my eyes. My magic flared, more powerful than before. However, it sizzled down as the last person went down with a flash of pink. emThat span class="GramE"fast…?/span span class="GramE"Why…?/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""That crystal… the closer it is, the more powerful I become. Not like you can destroy it, anyway," He said, the smirk obvious in his face, but his voice seemed strained, as if the arrogance wasn't coming out as smoothly as usual. He shouldn't be underestimated, though. I winced as the wound from his attack started to close with my advanced healing. span class="GramE"Blood was everywhere/span, span class="GramE"it pained every corner/span. It turned the training grounds into a war zone. H seemed to notice as my eyes trailed the substance, because he laughed, his magic level rising. He bent down, trailing the blood with his finger./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You know… red was always my favorite color!" He charged towards me, and I was pushed into defense. He kicked and punched, and even though I blocked them all, they managed to bruise my arms and legs. I jumped back several times, trying to find some distance, but it never worked. Eventually, my legs gave in, sending me tumbling to the floor./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Such a shame… you were more fun last time…" He purred, his arms span class="GramE"raised/span as he started an incantation. emI'll live… I won't die that easily/em. I gritted my teeth, also murmuring and incantation, trying to stand up./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Holy-"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Pain's Requiem~" it came out as a sadistic giggle, but that was all it took to know that it was a finishing move./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Aquarius…" I whispered under my breath, managing to summon a barrier. Would it even do anything, though? I braced my-span class="GramE"self/span as the powerful spell was unleashed, almost sending me to the ground by the sheer amount of magic behind it alone. Clenching my fists, I willed myself for the impact./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I WON'T DIEspan class="GramE"!"/span I screamed, focusing all my will into this barrier. My eyes closed, I concentrated, and waited… but the attack never came. Lifting my lids slowly, I gaped in horror at the three bodies that lay limp before me, the three familiar magic's fading from the air./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"span class="SpellE"Erza/span, Gray, and span class="SpellE"Natsu/span, all at my feet, blood pooling beneath them. Tears came once again, the thing I hated most./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""No… span class="GramE"no…!"/span I prayed with my screams to the heavens. This was a test too cruel, what had I done, no, what had Fairy Tail done, to deserve this cruel punishment? "They can't be dead… YOU MONSTER!span class="GramE"",/span I felt my magic flare once again as I glared at the laughing monster in front of me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""span class="SpellE"HAhahahaha/span! How amusing! Such fools! Well, they're all going to die anyway, so what's the differencespan class="GramE"?!"/span He wheezed out between giggles, completely insane. I dropped to my knees, using all my healing magic on the three. I had managed to close up the serious wounds, and I breathed out in relief, knowing that they wouldn't leave this world just yet./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"They slowly got up, barely acknowledging me as they entered battle positions. Cana and span class="SpellE"Juvia/span followed suit, pooling up their magic's. Levy, span class="SpellE"Gajeel/span, Freed, span class="SpellE"Laxus/span, Wendy… Jet, span class="SpellE"Droy/span, Macao, Wakaba… span class="SpellE"Elfman/span, span class="SpellE"Lisanna/span… The tears kept coming as I was moved by their sheer determination. I myself got up, knowing what I had to do./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Our Mission: Obliterate the Enemy/p