The screams echoed in the air as chaos spread across the battlefield. Luke Heartfilia fought with all his might, his fiery flames and dark magic shining amidst the enveloping darkness. By his side, Lucy and her friends, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Wendy, also bravely faced their enemies.
But despite all their efforts, the Fairy Tail Guild was being overwhelmed. Gremorie Heart, the traitor, had allied himself with Acnologia, the fearsome Dragon of the Apocalypse. An overwhelming force took hold of the battlefield, and Luke felt the weight of destiny on his shoulders.
As the battle intensified, Luke locked eyes with Acnologia. He saw the uncontrollable rage and thirst for destruction in the dragon, and he knew the fight would be desperate.
However, he wouldn't give up. His determination was unwavering because he knew what was at stake. But despite his heroic efforts, the inevitable tragedy unfolded before his eyes. Acnologia unleashed a devastating attack that engulfed everyone in a storm of energy. The combined forces of the guild were no match for the relentless power of the Dragon of the Apocalypse.
In his final moments, Luke looked at Lucy, whose eyes were filled with pain and tears. He reached out to her, wanting to touch her one last time, but before he could do so, darkness completely engulfed him.
(?)
Luke opened his eyes with a start, his heart pounding uncontrollably. He was lying in a familiar bed, in his old room in his mansion. The atmosphere was calm, and sunlight streamed through the window, casting gentle hues on the furniture.
But Luke couldn't calm down. His memories were jumbled, mixing the past and the present. He remembered the battle against Acnologia, the death of his friends, and the unbearable pain he had felt. Yet, now, he was back in his childhood, as if he had been transported to an earlier time.
Slowly, he touched his face, feeling the tears still present on his cheeks. The scar from the past was fresh in his mind, bringing profound sadness. He couldn't understand why he had gone back in time, but he knew he couldn't ignore what had happened.
His sister Lucy's words echoed in his mind: "We will protect everything we love, no matter what happens." That promise resonated in his heart, and he knew he had a second chance to prevent the tragedy he witnessed.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Luke began to reflect on all the horrible events he had experienced within the Fairy Tail Guild until that moment. He remembered the losses they suffered, the friends who had left, the missions they couldn't complete. With each memory, his heart tightened, but he knew he couldn't let history repeat itself.
"I can't let all of this happen again." Luke whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I can't allow the Guild to suffer more losses, to have my friends taken away from me. I will save them, somehow."
Looking at the bracelet on his wrist, a memory surfaced. It was a gift from his mother. "Mother, what would you do?" Luke wondered. The answer was still a mystery.
As he contemplated the possibilities, hope began to bloom in his heart. Perhaps he could use this power to change the course of events, to prevent Acnologia and Grimoire Heart from destroying everything he loved.
"I will save my friends, the Fairy Tail Guild, and the magical world," declared Luke, with renewed determination. "I will do everything in my power to correct the mistakes of the past and protect the future."
Getting up from the bed, Luke decided he would use his knowledge of the future to prevent the tragedies that lay ahead. He would prepare better, train harder, and make different choices.
No matter how difficult it was, he would face all the challenges that crossed his path.
As he began to chart his plan, a hopeful smile appeared on his lips. He knew the journey ahead would be arduous and full of mysteries, but he was willing to face it with courage and determination.
"I promise, Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, everyone… I promise I will protect all of you!" murmured Luke, with tears shimmering in his eyes. "And this time, we will win!"
(Hours later)
Luke found himself in a time before he and his sister joined Fairy Tail. To be more specific, Lucy had run away from home just over a month ago, which seemed not to bother his father at all…
Initially, Luke had joined Fairy Tail just to keep an eye on his sister, following the disaster that was Phantom Lord, caused by his father. But the Guild captivated him; he felt closer to them than to his own blood family.
To keep them safe, he needed strength, lots of it. Luke was the first to admit that he wasn't strong; in fact, he felt ashamed that Wendy, three years younger than him, was more adept at combat.
Blame it on his laziness. What was he doing at 14? Oh, right, flirting with girls. Luke couldn't help but laugh sadly at his simpler times.
He needed strength, and quickly, but how could he achieve that?
Sigh
It was strange for Luke, who had been fighting just hours ago, to now be walking the hallways of that mansion.
That's when he came across the most undesirable person in his life.
Jude Heartfilia, the despicable excuse for a father. He could give Lucy credit for forgiving that disgusting idiot and accepting him as her father again, but he had always been a complete trash human since his mother died. No, he had always been like that.
Luke just continued his path; the man didn't even bother to greet him, so he went to his library, where the few books on magic were kept.
(2 hours later)
With a growing sense of frustration, I searched the library shelves for answers. But to my disappointment, none of the books contained relevant information about time travel or how to become more powerful quickly.
"This can't be!" I muttered, running my hands through my hair in frustration. "I need answers! I need a way to become stronger and protect the Guild!"
As the hours passed, my frustration only grew. My desperation to find answers was almost palpable. I knew time was precious, and every minute that passed without an answer was a minute less to prevent the terrible fate that awaited us.
Then, as I flipped through a book, a glimmer of a memory appeared in my mind. I remembered that at this time, I still had it, still possessed the Celestial Spirit Key for Virgo.
"Virgo…" I whispered, recalling the power she held.
Determined, I went to the mansion's attic, where a box containing my celestial spirit keys was kept. With Virgo's key in hand, I felt a little more confident, but I knew it wouldn't be enough to stop the threat that lay ahead.
As I held the key, my mind went back to simpler times when I was carefree, flirting with girls and living without many worries. Nostalgia hit me, and I couldn't help but laugh sadly. The simple times seemed so distant now, and I had a huge responsibility on my shoulders.
"Blame yourself, Luke." I said aloud to myself. "If I had trained more seriously, maybe I would be stronger now."
"Come forth at my call, Virgo!" Luke summoned the celestial spirit.
In a gleaming light, the spirit appeared before him, making way for a beautiful pink-haired young woman dressed in maid attire.
"Is it time for punishment, Master?" Virgo asked.
Luke widened his eyes at the spirit's appearance, incredulous to see her again. In his future, Virgo was no longer with him.
Tears threatened to escape my eyes as I faced Virgo, the celestial spirit I had lost in my future. She was there, before me, with that sweet and gentle smile I had grown fond of. Her unexpected appearance only increased my agony, as it reminded me of the losses that were yet to come.
"Virgo… Are you here?" my voice faltered as I struggled to contain the emotion overflowing within me.
"Yes, Master. I am always at your service," she replied with a graceful bow.
I wondered if she had any memory of the future we shared. Did she know about the bloody battles and cruel fate that awaited us? But as I looked into her eyes, full of affection and devotion, I realized it was best not to burden her with that knowledge. After all, she was a celestial spirit, a celestial being, not a human.
Nevertheless, Virgo's presence also brought some hope. If she was here, then maybe I had access to other celestial spirit keys as well, and each one could be an important piece to face the future threats.
"Virgo, I need your help. We are facing a terrible and powerful enemy. I need to become stronger to protect my family." I explained, holding the key firmly.
"As you wish, Master. I will do my best to assist you." she replied, with a serious and determined expression.
Her response brought some relief to my heart. At least, I wasn't alone in this journey to save the Guild and those I loved. With Virgo by my side, I would have a powerful ally, an additional force to face the challenges that lay ahead.
"Master, why do you cry? Should I be punished for it?" Virgo asked, concerned.
Luke then wiped the tears from his eyes. "No, I'm just glad to see you and sad that I was so foolish to leave you here for so long." he said.
Luke Heartfilia had left Virgo's celestial spirit key in this attic for almost a whole year… For some petty wish that he honestly couldn't even remember, Virgo was kind to not care or at least pretend not to care.
"Listen, Virgo, we have a lot of work ahead of us." Luke informed the maid spirit with determination.
"Yes, Master!" Virgo exclaimed.
Luke wanted more than anything to run to Fiore to see his beloved comrades, including those he lost even before the Tenrou disaster, but it wasn't the time. Right now, he needed focus, and he didn't have time for mourning either. He would change… Change everything for his ideal future.
(To be continued?)
leave critiques, revisions, and also expectations for the future. They motivate me to continue writing the chapters.