So, I have recently started on Fairy Tail, and I thought of doing a story like this. I have to admit, this was somewhat inspired by Lucy the King of Heroes by Gilgamesh The King of Heroes, where Lucy is a reincarnation of Gilgamesh from Fate/Stay Night. Whether this becomes a full fic or not, I don't know, but it could. Anyway, this story is basically Terra being reborn as Lucy.

ESPER REBORN

CHAPTER 1:

SALAMANDER, SLAVER, AND CELESTIAL MAGE

The blonde-haired girl with the green streak in it walked out of the shop with an irritated sigh. For a port town, a place where at least some import and export took place, the magic shop of Hargeon had pretty much crap that she had already bought. And the one thing she had some interest in, she didn't need. Hell, the shopkeeper would only go down to 1000 Jewels, and that was only, with some reluctance, after she gave him a brief, 'accidental' view down her cleavage. She only bought it to keep up appearances.

A commotion drew her attention. A bunch of screaming girls were rushing around, not in a panic, but clearly smitten. The girl frowned when she caught snatches of sentences. Apparently someone called 'Salamander the Fire Dragon', a prodigious fire mage, was in town. It was more curiosity than anything else that led the girl to follow her peers, although she used the term 'peer' loosely.

After all, she doubted any of them had lived before, or at least had another life, on another world.

In this life, she was Lucy Heartfilia, recently having fled her family home thanks to the actions of her father. But not long after her mother died, Lucy regained memories of a life that had gone by, a life on another world. A life where she had been known by the name of Terra Branford. Or rather, she had been half of Terra, the half that was magic, the half that was Esper.

She hadn't had much of a childhood in that life, so she supposed she was grateful to her father treating her better than Gestahl and his underlings did. True, she was treated well in her quarters in Vector, but it hadn't taken long for Terra to realise she was a songbird in a cage, valued more for her magic than for her own worth as a person. The brainwashing in her teens, Kefka cornering her with a Slave Crown…and then, being freed from it.

All those adventures with all those people. The love she had given the orphaned children in Mobliz. The quest to destroy Kefka, and with it, rid magic from the world. Which would mean her own end. A small price to pay, or so she thought.

In the last moments of magic being in the world, Terra was bifurcated. What there was of her human became her own person in the world she left behind, while her Esper half…well, she expected to join her father and the other Espers in whatever afterlife remained…only for her to be wrenched sideways. Even now, she wasn't sure what had happened. And while she had no command of the Espers anymore, she still retained her magical knowledge from that time. And as Lucy, she also had command over this world's equivalent of Espers: the Celestial Spirits, embodiments of the constellations.

Her ambitions were to join the Fairy Tail guild. Okay, they had something of a reputation for wanton property damage, but still, there were many admirable mages in it. Mirajane Strauss was the one Lucy admired most.

As Lucy approached the crowd, though, she felt a familiar pull on her senses, trying to cloud them, and she frowned. A charm spell? Banned ages ago, and yet, this man was using it. True, he was quite handsome, she had to admit, but given all the attractive girls and women he was luring in with the charm spell…well, with looks and smooth talking like this, he wouldn't need a charm spell to get a crowd. No, something was wrong.

Just as she was about to cast an Esuna on the crowd, she was knocked out of the way by a boy a little older than her with messy pink hair, calling for someone called Igneel. Was that the real name of this 'Salamander'? But the boy seemed to think otherwise once he actually saw Salamander. Lucy watched with some amusement as the boy got badmouthed and attacked by the girls and women for his rather tactless words, like refusing an autograph, before Salamander, being magnanimous, gave some kind words to the boy, before declaring a party on his yacht that they were all invited to.

As he soared away on a plume of fire (very impressive fire magic, Lucy had to admit), the boy glared at the Salamander sullenly, along with a blue, talking cat that had accompanied him. "What's his problem?" the boy asked.

"I don't know, but something smells fishy," Lucy said, casting an Esuna on the now-dispersing crowd, just in case. "You noticed that, right?"

The odd pair nodded, only for their stomachs to growl. Lucy realised they looked rather like they had been travelling for a while, and said, on a whim, "You want lunch?"

That was a decision she'd regret. The boy had the manners of a pig, and the cat wasn't that much better. Their names turned out to be Natsu and Happy respectively. "I'm Lucy," Lucy introduced herself. "You noticed something fishy, right? I mean, apart from what you're eating," she added dryly, looking at Happy. "That sort of charm magic was banned ages ago. Are you a wizard too?"

Natsu nodded in mid-chew.

"Well, I am too, but I'm hoping to get into one of the guilds, hopefully Fairy Tail." She didn't fail to notice the odd look in their eyes when she mentioned that. Were they members of that guild, or rivals, or what? She couldn't tell. "Anyway, you mentioned someone called Igneel, right?"

"Aye, Igneel," Happy said as Natsu finished his own meal.

"We heard there was a Salamander in town, but it turned out to be someone else," Natsu said. "And I was sure it'd be Igneel."

"As soon as we saw him, we knew," Happy said.

"How could you tell?"

"He's a dragon," Natsu said.

Lucy looked at Natsu flatly. "A dragon. A real dragon."

"Well, yeah," Natsu said.

After a moment, Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose. As patient as she was as Terra, her life as Lucy had given her a certain sardonic edge. "Leaving aside the fact that few people have seen dragons for centuries, did you ever think that a real dragon would be somewhat conspicuous in the middle of a town? Even if he hadn't knocked down the buildings or set them on fire, he would stand out."

She had to admit, she wasn't encouraged by the looks of surprised revelation on their faces. They hadn't even considered the possibility. "I mean, he can't shape shift or anything, can he?" Lucy asked.

"Um, no," Natsu said, as if she was the idiot here.

"Fine. So…you're a wizard as well. Can I ask for your help? Only, something about that guy claiming to be 'Salamander' has got me worried. He's using charm magic to lure girls and young women, and to a yacht. Does that sound at all suspicious?"

Natsu, after a moment, nodded. "I guess so. But, well…I don't do boats well."

"Natsu gets motion sickness pretty easily. Boats, trains, cars, you name it, he gets sick on it," Happy explained.

Just before Lucy could say anything else, they overheard a nearby woman remarking, "Did you hear about Salamander?"

"Yeah, he's dreamy. That party he's got on, are you going?"

"Of course! It'd be great to meet a Fairy Tail wizard!"

Lucy blinked in astonishment. "Wait, he was from Fairy Tail?" Had she missed her chance to join?

"…No."

Lucy returned her gaze to Natsu, whose expression had become deathly serious. "What?"

"I dunno whether Master Makarov has allowed him in there while I was dealing with the Devon Bandit Clan, but I haven't seen him in Fairy Tail before in my life."

Lucy frowned as she put the pieces together. "You're a member of Fairy Tail?"

Natsu nodded, before shucking off his coat, revealing the vest he wore underneath and baring his arms. And there, on his right shoulder, was a distinctive mark, like a stylised bird. Lucy recognised it as the Guild Mark, a form of magical tattoo. Lucy wasn't sure what to make of that. On the one hand, Natsu hadn't exactly shown off any real abilities so far, not to mention social graces. On the other hand…Fairy Tail was known for their overkill, and she had recently read about their actions against the Devon Bandit Clan…where they had demolished seven homes in the process. "You were the one that got rid of the Devon Bandit Clan…and wrecked those homes?"

"Yeah, well…that was sort of an accident," Natsu said with a rather superficial look of…well, couldn't be said to be sheepishness, more of a kind of amused contrition that was absent of any real guilt. Then, his expression became serious again. "Anyway, listen, if this guy Salamander claims to be a Fairy Tail wizard, and he's doing this crap, then I'm not gonna stand for it."

"Well, I have an idea…"

Which was to have Lucy approach Salamander's boat and ask him if he could get her into Fairy Tail, while Natsu did the same (thankfully keeping his coat on). 'Salamander' accepted this, though he didn't seem to want Natsu on, despite his earlier magnanimity towards Natsu. Of course, once they were underway, Natsu soon succumbed to motion sickness, and Lucy, wearing a nice formal dress, was escorted further into the ship. Happy vowed to keep an eye on Natsu.

Of course, once he started trying to feed her wine via magic, she knew she had him. She swatted the drops of wine away. As he stared at her, dumbfounded, she said, "Sedatives in wine. Classy. I was onto your game almost from the beginning. At best, you're desperate for a harem. But at worst…you're a slaver."

The handsome man's face twisted into a sneer. "Clever little bitch, aren't you? Except…not so clever, really. I mean, here you are, trapped on the boat while it's already out to sea." Suddenly, Lucy felt her arms grabbed by a pair of burly thugs who had appeared from behind a curtained area behind her. "You'll fetch a high price in Bosco when we make landfall, along with those other little bitches. As for that pink-haired idiot, well, he'll be sleeping with the fishes once I'm done with him. I may not be Fairy Tail, but I'm still one of the best Fire Mages in all of Earthland."

She knew that her smirk would make him unnerved when he saw it. She had deliberately copied one of Kefka's more subtle smirks. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah," 'Salamander' smirked back, before reaching under her dress and fetching the keyring she had on her garter. "What, you getting cocky because you thought you had these as a trump-card? Celestial Wizards may be powerful…but only when they have their Gate Keys. So…" He threw them out the window. "No use to me. And now, they're no use to you."

Lucy chuckled, and now 'Salamander' looked unnerved. "And what's so funny?"

"Your mistake, impostor, is thinking that I need the Gate Keys to defend myself at all." Then, she yelled, "THUNDARA!"

The thugs holding her were suddenly struck by bolts of lightning, and collapsed, juddering and convulsing. "BLIZZARA!" she yelled, and the remainder of the thugs behind her were encased in ice. "DEMI!" she yelled, and 'Salamander' was slammed to the floor by an orb of dark energy. Then, as a final gesture, she charged her power, and yelled, "ESUNA!" A wave of pure white energy washed out from her.

'Salamander' glared up at her from the floor. "And what the hell was that?"

"Esuna is a powerful restorative magic. It can purge most poisons, remove curses…and clears the mind. Which means that your victims are now free from your charm magic."

"So? We're still out on the water, you stupid bitch, and you haven't stopped all of my crew. And that stupid pink-haired kid isn't going to save you!"

Lucy smirked again, before running out the door. As she ran, she called out mentally, Aquarius? Sorry to bother you, I know you've got that vacation with Scorpio soon, but I need your help right now!

A quiet sigh of annoyance entered her mind. Typical, came the irritated voice of Aquarius. Very well, what do you need?

A slaver tried to enslave me and a whole boatful of women. He's claiming to be from Fairy Tail. We're on a boat sailing out of Hargeon, and he's dropped my Gate Keys overboard. When I summon you, could you send the boat back with your wave with a minimum of collateral damage, and bring my Gate Keys back, please?

Another annoyed sigh. Very well, but remember, while I'm on vacation, don't call me.

I'll try. I don't want to get between you two.

A faint chuckle. You'd better not, little sister. And try not to lose my key ever again, even if you don't need it to summon me.

Lucy nodded. Of the Celestial Spirits she had contracted to her, she got along least well with Aquarius, though at least Aquarius saw her as an annoying little sister at worst, hence her epithet.

Soon, she burst onto the deck of 'Salamander's ship, with Natsu half-leaning over the rail, looking queasy. The women around her were panicking. Happy looked at Lucy from where he was perched near Natsu. "What's going on?"

"They're slavers all right! I'm surprised my Esuna didn't help Natsu. Must be too-ingrained. Anyway, watch this." Lucy held out her hand to the ocean. "I COMMAND THE GATE OF THE WATER-BEARER TO OPEN! COME TO ME, AQUARIUS!"

A blast of light lanced out of the ocean, before finally, a beautiful, blue-haired mermaid, bearing a jar of water, emerged from the waves. She looked at Lucy with a stern expression, but nodded. Lucy looked at Happy and the girls nearby. "HANG ON!" she yelled, as Aquarius summoned up a massive wave that sent the boat careening at high speed towards the shore.

As Lucy got to her feet, Aquarius came up, and threw the keys at her. Lucy caught them, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Aquarius. Enjoy your vacation."

Aquarius offered a sardonic smirk as she faded. "Try to keep out of trouble, little sister. Oh wait, that's not going to happen…"

Natsu got to his feet just as Aquarius disappeared. "Ugh…we're not moving anymore?"

"Yeah, and with this boat on the shore, it's sure to get the attention of the local army," Lucy said. "We'd just better make sure these girls get off safely."

"Hold it!" roared the voice of 'Salamander', who burst out, followed by some thugs. "You're going nowhere."

"Funny," Natsu said. "I could say the same thing about you. You're not with Fairy Tail, are you?" He took off his coat, revealing his mark.

"Bora!" yelled one of 'Salamander's thugs. "That's the real mark!"

"I told you not to call me my real name, you idiot!" 'Salamander' said.

"Bora…" Happy mused. "Bora the Prominence was a fire mage expelled from the Titan Nose guild a few years back…"

"Yeah, I heard," Lucy said, glaring at Bora, who matched her glare. "You were expelled for using magic for theft so many times, weren't you? From theft to human trafficking. You've fallen far."

"I don't care," Natsu said, glaring at Bora himself. "But one thing I won't let him do is slander the name of Fairy Tail."

Bora flung a fire spell at them, and Lucy and Happy dived out of the way. "Less talking, more burning, brat!" he roared, only to be flung into the wall by Lucy's Thundara spell.

"Natsu!" Lucy yelled at the pyre enveloping the true Fairy Tail wizard, only for Happy to shoot her a look.

Then, from the midst of the flames, Lucy heard Natsu's voice, not in pain, though in annoyance and disgust. "Ugh, this is gross." As the others stared in shock, the fire shrank, revealing Natsu seemingly eating the flames. "Seriously, are you really a fire mage? Only, this is the worst fire I've ever tried. But thanks for the grub anyway."

Lucy stared. Did he eat the fire? But…would that mean he had the innate ability to absorb fire? She hadn't really heard of it happening on this world. "What the hell is he?!" Bora demanded.

"Boss! I know this guy now!" one of Bora's underlings yelled. "Pink hair, scarf with a scale pattern…that's the real Salamander!"

And with that, Natsu breathed a massive gout of flame onto the slavers, before enveloping his fist in fire, glaring at Bora. "Etch this in your memory, you bastard! This is the true might of a wizard from FAIRY TAIL!" And with that, he slammed his fist into Bora, sending the now-hapless slaver through the wall of the ship.

"What kind of magic is that?" Lucy asked Happy in awe.

"Dragon-Slayer magic. He has the lungs of a dragon to breathe fire, the skin of a dragon to withstand fire, and the claws of a dragon to inflict fire. It was meant as a magic to be used against them," Happy said. "That's what Igneel has taught Natsu."

"A bit weird for a dragon to teach a human magic meant to kill them," Lucy said, noting the surprised look on Happy's face. "But look at him now. He's a berserker."

And so he was, causing a number of buildings near the harbour to be wrecked as he beat the crap out of Bora. Eventually, he finished, only for the army to charge in. Natsu, having grown relatively calm again, grabbed Lucy's hand. "Let's get out of here! If you want to join Fairy Tail, then come along!"

Lucy ran, pursuing Natsu and Happy as the army did so, heading for the train station, and then for Magnolia. It seemed that luck was on her side…but would she regret her decision to join Fairy Tail?

CHAPTER 1 ANNOTATIONS:

So, there you have it. Lucy is Terra, and has command of the entire (standard) magic of Final Fantasy VI. And she can summon Celestial Spirits without keys. But what about her fellow Espers? And will she regret going with Natsu? Well, all will be revealed later…

No numbered annotations this time…