And I am starting the New Year off with a new Chapter of each story!
Isn't that exciting?
Although, I'm not sure if you'll like this chapter.
But here's hoping!
Now, on with the show!
After the explanation, Lucy was stared at by three wide eyes and three dropped jaws. She felt like fidgeting under their scrutiny. She felt herself start to shrink as the three stared at her until she felt a hand on her shoulder, easing her tense shoulders. She looked over her shoulder and found Jellal, who gave her a reassuring nod. She blew out a breath and nodded back before facing the other three.
Lucy had no idea what any of them were thinking. All three looked shocked. She fought the urge to step back and hide behind Jellal. This was her guild, she shouldn't cower from them but the looks of scrutiny were unnerving. She stared at the ground for what felt like hours before a throat being cleared drew her attention upward. She met the eyes of the master who looked more concerned than shocked now.
"Do you trust this person in your dream?" Makarov asked.
Lucy blinked at the question. Did she trust herself? Did she trust the person who called herself her future self? The dreams she's had so far scared her enough to want to prevent the coming events. To keep her friends from dying by the claws of dragons. As unbelievable as it sounded she was inclined to to believe her. Why else would that person risk everything to try to warn her?
Lucy thought about it. She trusted her enough to go to Jellal and ask for help with training. Maybe deep down she did believe this person. However the question still remained, could the events be changed? Could she really change them? She couldn't help herself she turned and looked at Jellal with pleading eyes. Jellal could only chuckle and shake his head.
Lucy sighed before turning back to Master Makarov. "Yes, I do," She said feeling defeated.
Makarov nodded before rubbing his chin in thought. Without thinking Lucy wrapped her arms around herself shrinking into herself a bit. She didn't like being the one that was being judged. She couldn't help feeling like she was making a mistake. That it would be better if she just ignored the dream.
Makarov nodded to her. "Well, what do you think we should do?" He asked pinning his stare on Lucy.
Lucy blinked. "Me?" She asked pointing to herself. "You want to know what I think we should do?" She asked in disbelief.
Makarov nodded. "Yes, you," He pointed at her, "It was your dream, your future self. Do you have a plan, besides going to Jellal and his guild?" He asked crossing his arms with a smirk at the last statement.
Lucy opened her mouth and closed it, like a fish out of water. She didn't know what to say. Did she have an idea? Of course, she did. However, would they go for it? She wasn't sure.
Jellal nudged her with his elbow. "Go on. Tell them what your future self told you to do. Of how to change the events." He urged.
Makarov raised an eyebrow. "So, you do have an idea. Well, let's hear it then, my child," he said nodding for her to continue.
Lucy sighed. She hated being put on the spot like this but she supposed it had to come out eventually. She just wasn't sure how everyone would react to it.
"First, Master, Let me ask you something." Lucy started her voice getting serious. Makarov's eyebrows raised. "Why are you sending two teams to the games without telling Team Natsu?" She asked crossing her arms under her chest with a raised eyebrow.
Makarov's jaw dropped, he didn't expect anyone to know that he was sending two teams, well other than the second team that he had just assembled before Laxus returned with Lucy that was.
Makarov sighed. "Nothing is sacred around here, I swear." He grumbled before clearing his throat. "The games allow you to enter two teams per guild, doubling your chances of entering." He explained, clearly not happy with being called out.
Lucy nodded. "Well, then, put me on Team B." She said watching as everyone's, minus Jellal's, jaws dropped.
"I can't! It's already full!" Makarov exclaimed.
"You can and you will. You're switching me and Juvia." Lucy stated not backing down.
Jellal brought his hand up to where his mouth would be and chuckled. He knew Lucy's plan before everyone else. He wasn't surprised when she told him which gave him the idea to come with Lucy when she returned instead of coming to Master Makarov before the games to ask to be allowed to join Fairy Tail in the games as Mystogan.
Makarov groaned dragging his hand down his face. He didn't like this one bit. However, he didn't expect his plan to be found out. He glared at Lucy before shaking his head and chuckling. He might as well just go along with whatever plan she had at this point. What other choice did he have?
Makarov sighed and nodded. "All right. I'll announce switching you with Juvia. However, you need to stay out of sight. I'm telling them since you haven't returned that Juvia is going in your place. So, go home child, and get some rest. You leave in tonight with Gajeel, Laxus, Mira, and apparently Mystogan." Makarov said raising an eyebrow at Jellal. Makarov sighed. "I'm assuming since you're here you're going to ask to join us?" Jellal nodded. Makarov sighed again. "Fine. However, go with Lucy and make sure no one finds out she's in town. Not to mention keep yourself hidden, will you? I'll have to tell Cana I made some changes and she's not going right now." He added before turning to head back into the guild.
Jellal nodded and looked at Lucy. "Ready then?" He asked.
Lucy nodded and turned to walk with Jellal. Laxus growled low in his throat but kept it low so no one else would hear it. He didn't like Lucy going off with someone he wasn't sure he could trust. Lucy was part of his guild, his family, and his responsibility to protect. A heavy hand landed on Laxus' shoulder breaking his attention away from the two who were walking away from the group.
"Relax. She's going to be fine. If I'm right, she's been with Jellal since she disappeared from her team to train in private. He won't let anything happen to her." Gajeel said as he watched the two walk away. Laxus sighed not liking the situation. Gajeel shook his head feeling Laxus' reluctance to let it go. "Look, after the master is done explaining everything, we can stop by and check on them. And possibly get more answers. Something about this dream thing isn't sitting right with me." He explained.
Laxus looked at Gajeel for a moment and nodded. "All right. I'd feel better knowing more too." He said before they turned and headed into the guild.
Once they walked inside they listened as Makarov called attention from the guild. Everyone stopped and turned toward him to listen to what he had to say. Laxus was hoping this part would have been done by now so he didn't have to deal with Natsu throwing a fit over Lucy being replaced on the team.
"Attention everyone. I have an announcement." Makarov yelled. Once everyone's focus was on him, he cleared his throat. "All right, well Team Natsu leaves for the Games in an hour, however, since Lucy isn't back yet, I'm afraid I'm going to have to switch her out with Juvia for the time being." He paused and waited for the chaos to ensue.
Makarov wasn't disappointed either. Natsu wasn't happy by any means with the choice and by the looks of it neither was Gray but he wasn't as vocal about it. Juvia was shocked but got over it quickly as she was going to be on the same team with her Gray. He watched as Erza put Natsu in his place and explained to him that they didn't have a choice since Lucy hadn't returned yet. Erza ever the voice of reason, well most of the time. He knew Erza would kill him once she found out what really was going on.
Natsu looked like a scolded puppy as he sulked but he couldn't argue Makarov's decision. After all, he was the master, not him. It didn't mean he had to like it, just meant he had to follow orders.
"Now, Team Natsu and Juvia, head on out. Your train leaves in an hour." Makarov said. He watched Erza drag Natsu by the back of his vest until they were out the door. He waited a few minutes to make sure Natsu was out of hearing range. He looked to Laxus and Gajeel to confirm. When they both nodded he continued. "Now, Cana, I know we discussed a few things earlier but I'm afraid plans have changed." He sighed but watched Cana shrug before going back to drinking. He looked at Mira. "As I told Cana, things have changed, I'll explain them later. Now, I just need a drink." He grumbled sitting down on the bar counter.
Laxus walked over and sat on a stool by his grandfather with Gajeel following behind him and sitting on the other side of Makarov. They sat in silence for a moment before Mira walked over with drinks in hand for each of them. She narrowed her eyes at the three men. She wasn't sure what it was but something was off and she was curious and determined to find out what it was. She didn't like people keeping secrets from her.
After what seemed like hours, but was actually five minutes, Mira couldn't take it anymore. She needed to know what was going on. She could have sworn Laxus left to go get Lucy, but yet Laxus was here and Lucy wasn't. She puffed her cheeks glaring at the three men before drawing in a breath to let them have a piece of her mind but Makarov held up a hand stopping her.
"I will answer your questions once everyone leaves to go to the games. The plan hasn't changed. Well, it has but not completely." Makarov muttered his mouth hidden behind his mug.
Makarov didn't want everyone in the guild to know that he was sending a second team. It was going to be a surprise to the entire guild. He knew one of them would make the cut. They wouldn't let him or their guild down.
After fifteen minutes the guild was cleared out so everyone could go pack for the games. The only ones left behind were Makarov, Mira, Laxus, and Gajeel. Makarov was giving Mira credit for keeping herself in check. She'd been sending him a glare take could burn him if she was in her demon form. Which, he was thankful she wasn't.
"All right. The guild is empty. Spill it. What's going on?" Mira said her hands on her hips and her foot tapping impatiently on the floor.
Makarov sighed while putting the mug down on the counter. "You three are still going to the games. However-" He began until the guild doors opened and in walked two people. He narrowed his eyes before groaning. "I thought I told you two to stay out of sight." He said as Lucy and Jellal approached.
"Sorry, Master," Lucy said apologetically.
"We couldn't. Natsu caught her scent and went to her apartment. I got us out of there but we had no other choice but to come here." Jellal explained.
"We did wait till we saw everyone leave before coming in though," Lucy added scratching the back of her head.
Makarov sighed. He guessed he couldn't hold it against her. She was trying to do as he asked and stay out of sight. However, he was curious how Jellal was able to get Lucy out undetected. He was about to open his mouth to ask but was cut off.
"Wait, Lucy? I thought you weren't back yet." Mira said in confusion. She looked at Makarov and narrowed her eyes. "Master, what is going on? You told everyone Lucy wasn't back yet." Mira asked crossing her arms under her chest.
Makarov grumbled under his breath. He was just about to get to that part before he was interrupted. He sighed and waved Lucy and Jellal closer. He figured they might as well join the conversation too, now that they were here.
Laxus narrowed his eyes and watched Jellal walk with Lucy. To him, Jellal looked too comfortable with her. He didn't like it one bit. He had the urge to grab her and hide her behind him. However, he knew he couldn't do that, it would raise too many questions, ones that he really didn't want to answer.
Lucy looked like she was fidgeting under everyone's stare. Laxus sighed and moved over to the next stool, patting the one he was just sitting in. Lucy blinked and looked back and forth between Laxus and the stool he was patting. Laxus nodded and removed his hand before picking up the mug in front of him. She walked over and sat down still feeling unsure.
Makarov sighed. "Now, that everyone's here, you all leave tonight. Team A left already with Juvia who's replacing Lucy on Team A." He explained. "Lucy will be taking Juvia's place on Team B and Cana is being replaced by Mystogan." He said with a mock cough at the end.
Mira stared at Makarov in shock. She couldn't believe what was happening. Team B was just decided earlier this morning and now all of a sudden the Master was changing it at the last minute. She wasn't sure why but she had a feeling it was because of the two that just arrived.
"Why?" Mira asked crossing her arms under her chest with a glare.
Makarov sighed. He really didn't want to rehash the whole thing again. He looked at Lucy whose shoulders slumped in defeat.
"It's a long story," Lucy said looking at Mira with pleading eyes. "I promise, I'll explain everything later." She said before she covered her mouth in a yawn. She felt really tired for some reason. "What-" She started but the room felt like it was spinning as her vision blurred and darkened at the edges. "I-" She tried again but everything went black.
"LUCY!" Everyone shouted as she fell backward off the stool.
Laxus caught her before she could hit the ground. "What's happening?" His voice panicked.
Mira jumped over the bar and came to Lucy's side her eyes filled with worry. Her eyes stung from trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fill them. She wanted to check her but she wasn't sure where to start.
Jellal sighed. "It's all right." He said before kneeling by Lucy's side. "It's not the first time this has happened. She's being pulled into a dream." He explained.
"What? A Dream?" Mira asked confused.
Jellal looked at Mira, trying to figure out how to explain this. He knew what to expect and how to handle it because this happened in the middle of their training, and he'd admit it had totally freaked him out until she woke up and explained what she had been told by her future self.
"This is why I changed the teams," Makarov said sitting at the edge of the bar as he stared down at Lucy with concerned eyes.
Mira was still confused but she figured she'll get an explanation once Lucy woke up. She sighed before looking at Lucy's sleeping face. She was now afraid that this would happen in the middle of the games causing them to lose. She wanted to voice her thoughts but the others didn't look worried.
Laxus sighed as he sat cross-legged and laid Lucy's head on his lap. He was concerned but he knew he'd have to wait until Lucy woke up to get any answers.
Jellal picked up Lucy's wrist and checked her pulse as her eyes and fingers twitched. He knew something was happening but not what it was. He didn't have Meredy here to link them either. That's how he was able to handle the last time. She was quick to link them as he started to freak out. He couldn't tell what was happening in the dream but he could keep track of her vitals better. Now, he wished he brought her with him. However, he didn't know how he'd explain that one.
Laxus closed his eyes putting himself in an almost meditative state. He needed to stay calm and levelheaded, but it was hard when he just watched his guildmate just faint out of nowhere. He knew she was okay, he could hear her heartbeat and her breathing was steady.
That's what he focused on while they all waited.
Her breathing and heartbeat.
Lucy opened her eyes and saw nothing but ash and rubble around her. She knew this place. She'd been here before. She looked around knowing that her future self was around here somewhere. She was never far behind when she'd be pulled into a random dream. As she scanned the area her gaze caught on several body parts that she forced herself to look past.
Lucy wasn't going to acknowledge them because it wasn't true. Her friends weren't gone. Everyone was alive and well back home. That's the thought she needed to keep in her head. She wasn't going to allow this to be their future. She would fix the events that led to this even if it cost her her life.
Scanning the area, turning to look behind herself, Lucy finally caught sight of someone in a black cloak. She knew of only one person who wore a black cloak in her dream. She walked toward the figure as they looked down at something on the ground.
"What's going on? Why did you pull me in here? I was in the middle of talking with the Master this time." Lucy asked as she stopped behind the cloaked figure.
"I'm sorry." The voice that was the same as hers said.
Lucy looked at what she was looking at and covered her mouth to keep from screaming. She didn't want to look beyond the salmon-colored hair and the blue fur-covered tail that stuck out from under a boulder she caught sight of. She turned away to try to erase the image from her mind. She held back the urge to retch. The sight made her sick.
"They can't make it." The voice behind her said.
Swallowing and taking a calming breath, Lucy turned to face her. "What do you mean?" She asked keeping her eyes up not wanting to see that again.
Future Lucy turned to her, her eyes gray and clouded. Her face still held claw marks across it. Her hair was uneven and covered in dirt. However, Lucy noticed before raising her eyes that she wasn't wearing shoes this time. Lucy didn't want to ask what happened that she wasn't wearing them. It seemed like a silly question altogether.
Future Lucy lifted her left hand to wipe the back of her hand across her forehead smearing dirt across it. Her movements seemed sluggish and unsure. She took her time thinking of how to explain what she meant. She knew That Lucy wouldn't like it but they didn't have a choice.
"Team A. They can't make it. They can't make it through the preliminary round. They have to fail." Future Lucy explained slowly.
"What?! But you said both teams ended up in the games." Lucy exclaimed.
Future Lucy nodded looking into the empty space. Lucy assumed she was blind as her eyes were gray and clouded. So, it didn't surprise her that she would look at her when she was talking.
"I know. But that can't happen. Only one team can make it. It has to be Team B." Future Lucy explained vaguely.
"But why?!" Lucy snapped.
Lucy wasn't happy about this at all. She didn't like where this was going. She had a bad feeling that her future self was about to ask her to do something that she knew she wasn't going to like. And if the image that she saw a moment ago was any indication she had a bad feeling she knew what she was about to tell her.
"You have to make sure that Team A loses the preliminary round."
And that is the end of this chapter.
I'm sorry if this story is going at a snail's pace but I'm trying to improve my writing and making sure there is plenty of detail since I tended to be more dialog.
It still amazes me that the first original chapter has been dragged out into Five chapters so far.
Yes, I'm still trying to follow the original storyline, however, I have changed some things like Gajeel knowing about the dreams off the back.
I hope you're all enjoying the story so far!
Oh, before I forget, Happy New Year Everyone!