Sting's P.O.V

I was with my team, getting ready to listen to the same deafening crowds I hear every year. I was getting ready to plaster my infamous smirk on my face, when something hit me. It didn't hit me physically, no. It hit me through my nose – strawberries and vanilla. The scent seemed so familiar and welcoming. No, it couldn't be her, no way. I was lost in thought, until a loud, booming voice, coming from a pumpkin 'man,' brought me back to reality.

"And, now, give it up for 1st place – Fiore's reigning champions: Sabertooth!"

Once those words were said, I put on my smirk, and walked out into the arena of Damos Flau. I was waving to the crowd, when I decided to see who I would have to go up against this year. Let's see, I thought, Mermaid Heel – joke! Quatro Cerberus, easy opponent. Lamia Scale, eas- never mind, they have Jura this year. Blue Pegasus, an even bigger joke! Raven Tail – weren't they a dark guild? And – what! Two Fairy Tail Teams! For being the weakest guild in Fiore, and having two teams pass the preliminaries, I was impressed – to say the least.

Wait! These are the members who went missing on Tenrou Island! So it's true, I thought, they found the missing Fairy Tail members. I was scanning the members on their teams – Titania Erza, Demon Mirajane, Natsu the Salamander, Blacksteel Gajeel – until my head landed on a girl with golden-blonde hair. She was the source of the strawberries and vanilla, from earlier.

"Boy she looks familiar. It couldn't be her, could it?" I muttered quietly, so nobody would hear – but that's not how it works when your best friend and partner is also a dragon slayer with enhanced hearing.

"Who looks familiar, Sting?" Rouge questioned me. Boy, he doesn't let anything go.

"That blonde girl, on Fairy Tail A's team." I paused, before continuing, "She looks like that girl – the one I told you about when we first met – who helped me when I was out on the streets. Lucy Heartfilia, I'll never forget that name." I muttered to myself. Lucy Heartfilia was the girl who helped me out, when I was out on the streets.

Then I heard something that half-confirmed everything I was thinking. A man from Blue Pegasus was talking to the blonde, who strongly resembled the girl from my past.

"So, Miss Heartfilia, have you come to realize your love for me?" Heartfilia! No, it still can't be her, I mentally told myself.

"No, Hibiki," she said, "I've never loved you, and most likely never will – in that way." The man – Hibiki – looked heartbroken at those words. She continued, "I'm still grateful, for when you basically saved my life against Angel."

"Good, Lucy." Came from Titania Erza's mouth, "Never let a man completely steal your heart, I've made that mistake clear, before."

Lucy? Heartfilia? It really is her! My heart exploded with joy. It really is her! I can finally see her after so many years!

"Sting!" I snapped back to reality, after hearing my Exceed, Lector, say my name, "What are you thinking about?" He questions.

"I was thinking about visiting an old friend, later." I replied coolly. "You can come, if you'd like."

"Yeah, Sting!" Is all Lector answered with.

I finally get to see Blondie, after so many years.

Lucy's P.O.V

Boy, this feels great, I thought, to spend time with old friends, who I technically haven't seen for 7 years. It feels absolutely amazing – well, except for the fact that everyone thinks Fairy Tail is a joke. But I'm not worried – we'll show them!

I started to look around the arena, to see who we were against. I did recognize most of the guilds – Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Quatro Cerberus. When I was looking at our opponents, I noticed a guy with blond hair, staring intensely at me.

He kind of looks familiar; I wonder what guild he's from. I thought to myself. He has a scar above his right eye – why does that seem so familiar? He also has spiky, pale-blond hair. No, it couldn't be him – he left me – years ago. Just thinking about him made me sad, but I kept a smile on my face, so I wouldn't worry my friends.

But, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep the 'smile' for too long, when thinking about those memories.

"Hey, guys, I know we haven't even started, but I'm going to get some fresh air." I said, not trying to show the sadness in my voice.

"That's okay, Luce!" Natsu told me, "Just don't be gone for too long!"

I gave them a smile – a real one – before saying: "Thanks!" With that, I left.

Sting's P.O.V

"Hey, guys, I know we haven't even started, but I'm going to get some fresh air." Is what I heard come out of her mouth.

"That's okay, Luce!" Natsu had said, "Just don't be gone for too long!"

"Thanks!" I heard her say. She smiled and left.

This is my chance to see if it's really her! My heart seemed to be exploding.

"Hey, Lector." I waited until he looked my way. "We're going to go visit that friend, a lot sooner than I had planned." I waited for his response.

"Well, when are we going to see them, than?" He asked.

"Now."

Lucy's P.O.V

I was walking down the corridors of the arena – private for participants only – when I heard something from behind me.

"Who's there?" I questioned, in my most authoritative voice. My left hand, ready to go for my keys; my right, ready to grab my Fleuve d'étoiles. I wasn't getting a response, so I readied myself for battle.

"Open – Gate of th-" I started, but stopped when I saw someone step out of the shadows. To be more specific, the blond man, from earlier, stepped out of the shadows. I finally saw his guild mark – Sabertooth.

Although Team Tenrou and I have been back only a few months, I knew Sabertooth and Fairy Tail were not on good terms. I could tell, though, by the radiating magic power coming off him, that if he and I were to fight, I would stand no chance.

Even so, I had to stand my ground.

"What do you want?" I sneered. I had no personal grudge against him – but I did for his guild.

"Lucy Heartfilia." He said. I unconsciously took a step back, causing me to hit the wall.

"Huh – How do you know my name?" I questioned. I was in utter shocked.

"So," he paused before continuing, "You don't remember."

Then, it hit me.

"Sting?"