~PREVIOUSLY ON THE LAST CHAPTER~

The world's greatest pain was when you obtained your ultimate accomplishment, but the person you wanted to share it with was no longer around. In Lucy's case, it was the moment she joined Fairy Tail without him.

That was an extreme loneliness.

Without a word, she hugged him tightly. She was afraid that the moment she released him, he would disappear. Tears ran down her face, and her throat tightened, but by some miracle her voice was still clear enough to speak.

"I...I finally found you."

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does.

LIGHT CASTS A SHADOW

Chapter 16: LOST AND FOUND

"I thought I'd never see you again," Lucy murmured softly. "I was looking everywhere for you... Do you have any idea how much I was worried about you!?" She burst with anger and relief, but she held back a sob and her features softened. "I don't know why you left us before, but you have to talk to me next time, okay? I trust you, but if you had died on your little adventure, I'd never be able to forgive myself. I'm just... I'm just so glad you're all right."

Lucy gripped the fur-trimmed edges of Sting's vest like her life depended on it. She stood there not wanting to let go, hoping that this could maybe come a little close to placating all the frozen time she had lost from the Tenroujima incident.

"I'm sorry for disappearing on you. It won't happen again... I promise."

—A celestial spirit mage never breaks her promises!

Sting stood perfectly still. The moment that Lucy threw her arms around him, a familiar tenderness started surfacing. It was exactly the same as the wistful sensation he experienced in the library. Brief remnants of the past, emotions from forgotten moments — it had all suddenly surged up. A tidal wave of warmth waged against the empty chill in his mind.

Never apologize. Trust no one.

Are you okay? Were you hurt badly?

I DON'T need anyone's pity.

Treat other people with respect.

Stupid Blondie...

You don't have a home, do you?

I've always been alone.

So what's your name?

Don't get attached.

Did you run away too?

I don't deserve this kindness.

You should go back to your parents.

I... I killed him.

You're not alone anymore!

His thoughts were spiraling out of control and only became worse when the warmth of the memories started slipping away. The gnawing chill came back in full force and ushered itself into a splitting headache.

Don't know her, but I should. it hurts... so familiar, blonde hair FairyTail. Can't remember. Tried before, Couldn't. It hurts. Is she the one from the flashbacks? Lucy is— why cAN't I—what am—

"Sting?"

Lucy's hesitant voice broke into the maelstrom of Sting's thoughts. The pain was becoming unbearable and he frantically grabbed at the source of the sound, using it to anchor himself.

"It feels like it was only yesterday when you were still a little brat. So much has changed that sometimes, I forget that seven years really have gone by..." Her tone was a bit somber and her gaze became distant, but he didn't notice when she pulled away and rubbed the back of her neck, "I mean, just look at you; I hardly even recognized you! You used to be a little kid, and now it's just—it's just so weird to see you all grown up." She smiled at the last part, her eyes glassy with tears. "You're taller than me now too."

Sting regarded her with a strange expression, not only hard to read, but hard to make out in the moonlight. A memory of someone's voice rang through his head, and it took him a moment to respond.

"Who are you?"

It felt as though the world had stopped, and at once, Lucy's relieved smile fell.

"What? Why would you—" She cut herself off, frowned, and shook her head. "Is this a joke?" The small shock was apparent in her voice, "Because if it is, it really isn't funny." After a short silence, she glared at him, "I'm serious, Sting. Knock it off."

He raised his eyebrows, looking taken aback, "What are you talking about?"

She seemed so familiar, and at the same time, she was a complete total stranger. And now she was acting like they've known each other for years? All this crap was making the tension in his head a whole lot worse and he wondered if she was doing this all on damn purpose.

"Have we met before?" Sting made a frustrated noise, running his hand through his hair. "I dunno what game you're trying to play here, but you're confusing me with someone else."

Lucy continued to stare hard at Sting with a dazed expression. A war between anger and sorrow raged across her face. Upset that he was acting this way, and crestfallen by the genuine look of confusion he had. Tears of frustration budded in her eyes. She then looked down at her balled hands and shook her head.

"You really... don't remember me?"

The wind howled softly between the two of them, and for once, Sting couldn't find the right words to say.

"When we first met, you were caught by thugs and I tried to save you. But when I showed up, you were the one who saved me." She wanted to laugh at the irony, but the way he scrunched his eyebrows disheartened her. "You were all alone with no where to go and I took care of you. We met Natsu and we planned on joining Fairy Tail... together." He was so—so inscrutable, it frustrated her to no end. "You were leery and distrustful of others, and it was hard to get used to at first, but you finally opened up to us. We sort of became like a... like a family." The tone of her voice was hurt when the realization sunk in. "You... don't remember."

The throbbing in his head was beginning to drown out her voice. Sting could only shake his head and mumble a numb apology, "I'm sorry."

It hurt deep down to think that Sting thought so little of her when she disappeared, that he was unable to remember a single thing about her. Lucy grew up loving him like the younger brother she never had. It struck a heavy blow to her heart when he couldn't even manage to look her in the eyes. Maybe... there was more to the reason why he decided run away from them in the first place.

She initially wanted to make sure Sting was okay, then hopefully catch up a bit, and become friends again. Maybe find out why he left as a bonus. In the end, she discovered that he was doing just fine—healthy even. With the original purpose of her trek accomplished, she had no more reason to be here. He didn't even know her, and perhaps... she didn't know him quite that well either.

"I guess this is it then?" When he made no indication of moving and a brief silence filled the air, Lucy lifted a hand in a half-hearted wave before turning on her heel. "Bye."

.

.

.

When Sting saw her walking away, he was conflicted. Shit, he couldn't lose her now—especially not after he realized that she was the catalyst that triggered his forgotten memories! Just being with her was the closest thing he had to unlocking his past! He tried to reach out and grab her hand, but the sudden jolt of pain in the back of his skull restricted his movement.

An unsettling feeling bubbled inside him. Watching her go, the lurching in his chest could only be described as... sadness? His life was plagued with rage and hostility, but he hadn't experienced this feeling in years. Even when he lost his dragon, his heart didn't break.

It couldn't.

He lost it, along with his memories. He watched her leave, and his body suddenly jerked in excruciating pain. He brought his hands up to his face, trying to quell the raging magic inside—a miniature dragon made of light dangerously struggling to break free. An inhuman, wretched roar suddenly tore through the air. Sting almost didn't realize that it was coming from him. A beam of white light shot from his mouth and erupted towards the starry night sky.

The agony subdued when a wave of confusion and exhaustion swept over him.

What? Where? Why was he in the middle of the park? How the hell did he end up here? He surveyed the surroundings and caught the fleeing sight of Lucy nearing the entrance of the garden. He noted how she was in a hurry and the way she concealed her eyes with her arm. She seemed to be... crying? A part of him was torn and wanted to go up and comfort her.

Sting shook away his thoughts and scowled. It didn't matter. Why would he of all people be concerned?

He never saw her before in his entire life.

A/N: uh... Tfw dragon lacrimas wipe away all the memories of the one person you loved and strived to get stronger for. AmIrightguys?

Ok, seriously though, sorry if this was very short and depressing. I had planned it to be like this a long time ago, but moments like this will bring change, progress, and hope. I write for the sake of plot! (･ - ･)و

Btw, your reviews had me smiling throughout the week. I love hearing your thoughts and reactions, and it just makes me a happy little ball of sunshine. Thanks for following and favoriting... pssst reviews are very inspiring! ;D