Predictably, Natsu and Happy were the first guests to arrive and they wasted no time digging into the snacks Lucy had picked up that evening. Gray, Juvia and Erza showed up next, followed by Gajeel and Levy. The iron dragon slayer was carrying an ominous brown bag when he entered.

"Is that alcohol?" asked Lucy.

"Of course," Gajeel grinned and lifted the bottle out of the bag, showing off the vodka label.

"Well, I hope the neighbors don't complain."

"Lucy, how are you going to fall asleep with all these people here?" asked Levy.

"I was wondering the same thing myself." She glanced back at the bottle of vodka. "Maybe they'll all get drunk and pass out?" She turned her attention back to the people milling about her apartment.

Erza was trying to get Natsu to join her in a game of Twister.

"No way," said Natsu. "You are such a bad sport when you lose." He sat on the sofa with his arms crossed.

"Well, what if I get Lucy to play?" Erza snuggled up to Lucy and put an arm around her. "You're up for a game, right Lucy?"

Lucy looked at the rest of the group. It would drive her crazy to try and supervise everyone so why not?

"Sure."

"Are you going to change your mind, Natsu?" asked Erza with a big smile.

He scowled at her. "I guess but only because Lucy is more fun than you." He allowed himself to be pulled over to the plastic floor mat.

The game escalated quickly. Lucy was the first one out— as usual, so she sat next to Happy and watched Erza and Natsu duke it out with a level of competiveness that was wildly inappropriate. There was trash talking, threats, and on one occasion, the purposeful expulsion of a fart.

"Oh my god, that's my face!" screamed Erza.

"Yeah, and my ass just introduced itself!"

Lucy looked over at the kitchen. Gajeel and Gray were doing shots while Juvia and Levy watched. Levy was clearly annoyed but Juvia didn't seem to mind— with every shot Gray took, another article of clothing disappeared. He was down to his socks and boxers.

Lucy excused herself and went to the bathroom.

The door shut and she looked at her reflection in the mirror. A couple strands of hair had become misplaced while playing Twister so she began fixing them. The image in the mirror seemed to shimmer and then a starry sky came into focus behind her. She turned her head and found that the bathroom wall had been replaced with a field of tall grass swaying in the breeze. When she turned back around, the mirror was gone.

She was standing in the middle of a dirt road. There was nothing but flat fields as far as she could see. The smell of incense filled the air.

Somehow, she had already fallen asleep. She looked around and suddenly Mr. Black was standing a few paces away. He held up his hands in an apparent gesture of peace.

"Lucy—" he started.

She backed away. "Who are you?" she demanded.

He dropped his arms down. "Someone who is losing his patience. Is there anyway we can get past that annoying question?"

"Um, no."

He mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that?" she asked.

"Nothing. I knew it would be pointless to try and reason with you."

"Well, why don't you try? I'm willing to listen."

He adjusted his jacket and sat in a small folding chair that Lucy was pretty sure hadn't existed a moment before. He pointed behind her and she found a similar chair. She decided to remain standing.

"Being stubborn isn't going to get us anywhere," he said.

"I'll take my chances." She glared at him. "Did you use some sort of spell to make me fall asleep?"

"Yes."

"Who are you?"

"My name isn't important."

"Why are you entering my dreams?"

"You already know the answer to that—to teach you how to become a more powerful mage."

"And why do you want me to become more powerful?"

Silence.

"Why did you even come here if you aren't going to explain yourself?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I didn't come here to explain anything to you." He leaned forward and a breeze shifted the white robe he wore over his jacket. "I came here to find out if you will continue your lessons."

"Are you kidding? Do you seriously think I'll take lessons from you without knowing anything about you?"

"Perhaps. There are many people who wouldn't pass up the opportunity to gain more power."

"Well, I'm not one of those people."

He nodded slowly. "I see that now. I was really hoping you would be more cooperative."

Lucy's hand itched for her keys. It was an old habit that wouldn't do her any good here—her celestial keys had never been in any of her dreams with Mr. Black.

"So what now? Are you threatening me?" she asked.

"Threats aren't necessary." He stretched and put his arms behind his head as if he were sunning himself at the beach.

If it came down to a wizards fight between her and Mr. Black, Lucy didn't think she stood a chance. During their exercises, she had gotten a sense of his powers and was certain he could level a building if he chose to do so.

"Lucy!" It was Natsu's voice.

Lucy turned around and saw her friend running down the road.

The man in black stood up and balled his hands into fists. "Natsu." The level of disdain in his voice was surprising. He turned his attention back to Lucy. "I think its time we finally meet in person." With a soft pop, he vanished.

Natsu ran up to her, panting. "Lucy, are you okay?"

"Yeah, but I think we're in trouble. We're dealing with a very powerful mage—he was able to cast a spell and force me to fall asleep."

Natsu cracked his knuckles. "Yeah, I know. We found you asleep on the bathroom floor and decided to send me into your dream as soon as possible." He looked around the dream-world. "It worked but man… this is kind of creepy."

"Thanks, but I'm not sure you're going to be able to help. He's already gone and I think his next move is to try and meet in person."

"Damn, I barely even got the chance to see the guy much less beat the snot out of him."

She looked down the long road and she was suddenly struck by something. "This is strange."

"What?"

"I've never been in one of these dreams without Mr. Black being here." She turned towards Natsu. "I think we should investigate. Maybe we will find a clue about his identity."

He looked around the barren landscape. "There isn't much to investigate."

Lucy squinted her eyes and tried to look down the road. "Maybe. But let's try heading down this road for a bit."

Natsu agreed and they began walking.

"So am I missing anything amazing at the party?" Lucy asked after they had been walking for awhile.

"Not much. Erza won the game of Twister but she cheated. Then she was going to take a bath but you wouldn't come out so Gajeel broke the door down."

She winced. "I hope my landlord isn't mad at me. Was there a lot of damage?"

Natsu nodded. "Yeah. He was a little tipsy and used the full power of his Iron Fist. The door came off at the hinges and missed your head by inches. I was pissed."

She raised an eyebrow. "You felt Gajeel was over doing it?"

"Yeah. I don't see why he has to be so rash. You could have gotten hurt. Levy was pissed at him also. By the way, did you know they're dating now?"

"Yeah, Levy mentioned it to me the other day. I'm so happy for them. They make a cute couple, don't you think?"

"I'm not sure Gajeel makes a cute anything," said Natsu sardonically. "But I guess it's cool they're happy."

A wooden fence was now running along the length of the road. It was the first variation they had seen in the landscape. Lucy was happy to note the change—it had begun to feel like they were walking in a never-ending loop.

"Do you know how Gajeel asked her out?" Natsu asked.

"No, Levy didn't fill me in on all the details yet."

"I bet he was nervous."

Lucy smiled, imagining the burly man fumbling for words in front of her small friend.

"Maybe." She stopped walking. "I see something."

They both craned their necks. Off in the distance, was an orange light.

"Let's get closer," said Natsu. They started to jog.

As they approached, Lucy could see that it was a small cottage. A dim light glowed through the windows.

They edged their way towards the door and Natsu knocked. "Hello?" he called out.

No response. Natsu pushed the door and it opened so they entered. The room was modestly furnished with two chairs and a small table. There was a single wax candle burning that cast shadows around the walls.

Lucy walked down the hallway and saw a small kitchen with a fireplace and a water basin. There were no modern appliances or even running water.

"This home looks old," she said.

"And small," added Natsu.

They both went into the last room which held two beds. Something was sitting on the covers of one so Lucy picked it up.

It was a toy sheep made from grey cloth, wool, and straw.

"A family lived here," she said.

"Yeah, do you think it was Mr. Black's?"

"I don't see who else's it could be."

"Do you think he was the child or the father?"

In the distance, a cat cried out. Lucy shivered. Somehow, they were digging into Mr. Black's thoughts. "I don't know. Do you see anything else that might help us? Let's hurry up and get out of here."

Natsu looked at the bed with the stuffed sheep on it. There were scratch marks on the wall.

He peered closer and ran his fingers along the etchings. "Aaron? Do you know anybody by that name?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Damn. Well, it's a good clue anyways," he said.

The cat cried out again but this time it sounded closer.

"That cat sounds like it's dying," said Natsu.

"Yeah, I wonder if there's anything we can feed it." Lucy started walking towards the kitchen.

"Oh God. Lucy…" Natsu's face went pale.

"What?" She moved towards him and then jumped as a shriek came from somewhere in the cabin. It sounded horrific.

"I don't think that's a cat." Natsu seemed to flicker like a flame and then he was gone.

If that's not a cat…

****Bigdream3r: Feedback is always welcome…