I don't won fairy tail

/

In the beginning

The night was only beginning. The sun slowly setting across the ocean, casting an assortment of reds, yellows, and oranges across the evening sky. The spring day was coming to an end. Citizens of Magnolia were returning to their homes to eat dinner with their families and get ready for sleep only to repeat the same things they did today tomorrow when they awake the next day.

Lucy sat at the edge of the Sakura grove looking across the clearing to where she saw her longtime friend Erza Scarlet sitting by herself on a large blanket, a picnic basket opened beside her. She sat there in a white sundress with what Natsu would've called a large funny hat. Lucy giggled bitterly as the thought crossed her mind. She looked back to Scarlet, the women hadn't moved an inch since she came into view of Lucy. Lucy watched as her head dropped forward, even from this distance Lucy could see the tears drop from her face onto the half eaten sandwich to her side, her shoulders shaking slightly as the women fought for control.

Lucy lowered her head, making her hair shield her eyes as she fumbled with the keys at her waist till she found the one she wanted. It was a simple key, nothing about it made it seem that important. Nothing about it would've made anyone think that it held so much pain, so much regret. It was a simple Brass key with the only sign of value being the red gem implanted into the stem of the key.

Lucy's shoulders started to shake slightly as tears dropped from her eyes and hit the surface of the small brass key. She squeezed the key as hard as she could, hoping that it would make everything better, that it would stop her tears, that it would make it so that Erza wasn't alone in the park covered in Sakura.

As Lucy looked down at the keys, she couldn't help but remember how everything started. How it all began, how they never expected the world to come crashing down. She looked up once again at the crying form of Erza before another wave of tears cascaded down her cheeks 'I will make this up to you Erza, I promise.'

/5 months ago

"OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD NATSU WHERE ARE YOU!" an over excited Lucy called as she raced through the guild with a job flyer in her hand looking for her partner.

"Lucy you're so mean! I'm part of the team too!" Happy cried as he sat on the counter looking at the spirit mage.

"I don't have time for this cat! Where's Natsu!?" Lucy stopped and yelled.

"AHHHHH NATSU LUCY IS GONNA EAT ME!" Happy cried as he flew into the arms of his adopted father.

"Lucy stop trying to eat Happy!" Natsu yelled at the blonde as he wrapped his arms protectively over Happy.

"Natsu!" Lucy screamed as she disregarded his accusation "I have a mission that we HAVE to do! No buts!" she said as she held out the flyer for her partner to see.

Natsu let go of happy who flew to his head and started to read the paper. "Help wanted. A group of bandits have stolen from my treasury and I need them dealt with. I will give one of my rare 'holder magic' lacrima to anyone who gets my treasures back. Please help!" Natsu read aloud a question mark appearing above his head. "But Lucy there's no reward money for this job."

"I know but they're giving a 'holder magic' lacrima to whoever completes the quest!" Lucy exclaimed cheerfully, he eyes sparkling.

"What's that?" Natsu deadpanned casing the blonde to face plant in front of him.

"You know absolutely nothing about anything besides fighting do you?" Lucy asked as depressing marks coated her face.

"Did I need to learn anything else?" Natsu asked causally causing the blonde to face palm.

"Alright Natsu you know that I'm a holder type mage and you're and ability type correct?" the blonde asked getting a nod from the fire mage. "Well a 'holder magic' lacrima lets you store magic in a lacrima and then use it to use different types of holder type magic. So if I had this I could store magic in it and be able to use my spirits and use a different type holder type magic to!" the blonde cheered.

"By why would you want to do that?" Natsu questioned tilting his head.

"Well right now I'm really weak compared to the rest of the team so this will help me get stronger so I'll be able to fight with you all more evenly." The blonde explained with a cheery smile.

"But you aren't weak Luce." Natsu said as if it was obvious.

"Just shut up and take this job, you get to fight bandits, why are you asking so many questions?" Lucy asked as tick marks grew along her forehead.

"Then what are we doing here lets go kick some ass!" Natsu yelled as he punched his flaming fist into his palm. He then felt an iron gauntlet clamp down on his shoulder.

"You better not be fighting." Erza said with another of her well known scare-the-shit-out-of-you stares.

"N-n-no we just got a mission." Natsu got out as a shiver ran down his body.

Erza instantly light up in a small smile. "Excellent when do we start?" she smiled kindly to Lucy who was holding the flier.

"Well it's still pretty early and the mission is right outside of Magnolia so if we left now we should be able to return before dark!" Lucy responded with a cheerful touch to her voice.

Erza nodded her approval before heading toward the door "Natsu! Gray! We're going now!" she yelled orderly causing both named mages to appear behind her saluting

"Aye sir!" both yelled simultaneously.

"Alright! Let's go! Huh?" Lucy looked to her right to see Happy looking on the bar top with tears in his eyes. "What's wrong Happy?"

"E-e-even Erza forgot me! WAHHHHHH! Then Natsu and Gray stole my line, the meanies!" with that Happy began to cry buckets.

"Okay… Happy would you like to join us?"

"AYE SIR!" he instantly perked up and flew off towards Natsu.

Lucy sighed as she began to follow the other mages of team Natsu out the door. 'At least I'll get a power boost by the end of this!' she cheered mentally as the team walked down the street towards the out skirts of town.

"So we're doing this all for a lacrima?" Gray inquired as the team left the streets of Magnolia for a dirt road that lead towards the mountains in the distance.

Lucy sighed again "Not just ANY lacrima, one that will help me get more powerful. It wil-"

"So how exactly are we supposed to split that four ways then?" Gray asked interrupting the blonde.

"Uh. Well…" Lucy moved her hand to her chin, she didn't actually take into account that usually the team would split the reward between the four of them. "I was actually hoping that I could just take the reward myself…" she said sheepishly before quickly adding "But I'll pay you all for your troubles!"

"That's fine with me. I don't need the stupid lacrima anyways when I got my fire." Natsu smirked as he ignited his fist. "And instead of paying me you can just cook for me for a month!" he said smiling his toothy grin. Lucy stopped her eyes wide.

"I don't have much need for it either, however there is a new set of armor I've had my eyes on though. You can buy it for me in compensation." Erza added causing Lucy to slouch forward in shock.

"And there is a new line of clothes down at the store near my house, you can buy me some new cloths." Gray chirped in.

The three kept walking till they heard a dull thump behind them. They turned to see Lucy laying on the ground, an aura of depression surrounding as she held her empty wallet in front of her. Mumbling about never being able to eat, being homeless, and selling all her possessions.

"I don't even know why you want to get this stupid thing. You're plenty strong now, but I will enjoy kicking some ass." Natsu smirked as he looked off to the mountain.

"That's easy for you to say! All three of you are insane monsters!" Lucy said pointing to the three.

"Hey don't include me with flame-brain!"

"ENOUGH!" Erza shouted making the three mages hold each other in fear at the authority in her voice. "We have already accepted the mission so we will complete it." With that she turned and began to walk only to see Happy sitting on the ground in front of her. "Happy what is it?"

The little exceed looked up with anime tears in his eyes "YOU ALL FORGOT ME AGAIN! AND YOU STOLE MY LINE YOU MEANIES!" he yelled before flying onto Natsu's head and began crying.

"I'm sorry Happy, you may hit me." Erza said bending forward.

Lucy stood to the side sweat dropping at the antics of her teammates. "Can we just go do this mission guys? I want to be back by night fall."

Erza stood up as she heard this "Oh course." And with that she started to head back towards the mountains with Lucy, Natsu, and Gray in tow.

After an hour or two of traveling the group of mages appeared behind some tree as they look toward the opening of a cave in the mountain. A group of men stood at the front hauling in what seemed to be their new load of stolen merchandise into the cave. They were your stereotypical bandits, they wore dull gray and brown armor and tunics with only a few wearing helmets and cheap swords strapped to their waist. Team Natsu scanned over the men and found it hard to tell if any were even a mage.

Natsu took a quick sniff "I don't smell any magic, let's just kick there asses and get this over with!" he half whispered half yelled.

"Silence Natsu!" Erza scolded him, making the dragon slayer whimper like a dog. "They may not seem that strong but they stole from some highly secured places, they are not to be underestimated." Erza thought as she turned from looking from the cave to the rest of the group. "But they are thieves and must pay for their insolence!" she clenched her fist.

"That's the Erza I know! Happy stay here in case we need back up, you won't be able to fly much in the caves." Natsu said. Gray grew a large grin on his face knowing what was to come next. While Lucy just hung her head in surrender towards her teammates.

Natsu jumped up and ran towards the cave, Erza, Gray, and Lucy on his heels. "Fire dragons iron fist!" he yelled as he drove his fist into a confused bandit standing at the front of the cave.

Erza reequipped into her Heaven's wheel armor and laid waste to the bandits carrying the boxes of merchandise into the cave. Gray ran past both of them with his Cold Excalibur and cut through the door as if it was made of butter.

Team Natsu rushed into the opening and continued deeper into the cave, encountering few bandits with whom they made short work of. After several minutes they ran into a large clearing inside the cave. The walls were thirty feet high and lined with torches for light, an assortment of gold and other valuables were laid along the walls and floor of the room. As the entered a tall man with a blue clock and blonde hair stood in the middle of the room on a raise platform and looked toward the mages.

"Don't let them get any closer!" the man ordered as he raised a long slender sword in the direction of the mages. A collective roar from his subordinates resonated in the large room as bandits started to flood toward the waiting mages.

"I'll take care of blondie, you all take care of the small fry!" yelled Natsu as he jumped over the charging men and used his flames to propel him towards the man.

"Natsu wait!" Erza called trying to stop him but was instantly blocking a sword strike from a bandit. She pushed the bandit back before swiping her sword across the man's stomach, incapacitating him. He started to run through the throng of men, slashing bandits on her way to back Natsu up.

Natsu landed in front of the man and charged him "Fire dragons iron fist" he yelled as fire encased his arm. The man only smiled as he side stepped Natsu and swung his sword in a precise arch. Natsu barely had time to react and tried to move his arm out of the way. He was only partly successful as the blade cut a deep gash into his fore arm. Natsu rolled to his side quickly as the sword swung down again. He tried to suck in some air to perform his roar but the swordsman started to pressure him, moving closer and continuously swinging.

Natsu tried to dodge as much as he could but the combination of a rather strong man and an incredible slender and light weight sword made it difficult to dodge the razor sharp blade that danced in front of him. As Natsu took a step back to dodge the blade that was about to severe him neck his foot clipped a pieces of gold that was laying on the small platform he was on. The swordsman seeing Natsu's balance falter smiled as he swung his sword horizontally. Natsu out of reflex put both arms up to block the blow as he continued to fall back. The blade sunk in his arms leaving a deep gash that went into the bone along both forearms. Natsu cried out in pain as he fell on him back, blood gushing along his arms.

"You were too hasty mage! While in a fist fight you could easily defeat me you forgot that a sword can cut through your fist. Especially one as light and sharp as mine!" the man proclaimed loudly with a wicked smirk gracing his lips as he held his sword to Natsu's neck. As he pulled the sword back to finish him off Natsu took a big gulp of air "Fire dragons roar!" he yelled as fire erupted form his mouth engulfing the surprised swordsman.

Erza appeared as soon as the fire disappeared and saw Natsu laying on the ground breathing hard and blood quickly pooling around his arms. Natsu quickly ran his hands over the wounds, cauterizing the gashes to stop any more blood lose. Erza rushed forward and reequipped a set of bandages out quickly wrapping his arms. Natsu looked shyly away from her as she did this. He was slightly ashamed he was so badly hurt against such a weak enemy and knew he was about to get scolded for it.

"Your level of stupidity truly surprises me." Erza said coolly.

'And here comes the scolding.' Natsu gulped as he looked to Erza "Yeah that was kinda stupid hehe" he laughed nervously.

"You're going to continue charging in head first without thinking towards the strongest enemy whether I tell you to stop or not though aren't you?" Erza asked with her eyebrows furrowed and eyes shut tightly.

"Hehe probably." Natsu chuckled again with a large toothy grin. Earing him a punch on the head.

"Baka, I have no other choice then." Erza opened her eyes and looked at Natsu "If you will continuously charge into the fray and challenge the strongest opponents I will train you to use a weapon so this" she grabbed his wound, causing Natsu to let out a hiss, to drive her point across "won't happen again." She eased up her grip and stood.

"But why can't I just keep fighting how I am! I kick ass with just my fist!" Natsu whined as he gingerly stood up, trying not to use his arms to help him.

"You're also the only one who fights the strongest mages with virtually nothing."

"But what about Gray!" Natsu complained.

As if on cue Gray appeared beside them with his icy sword on his shoulder blocking an incoming attack "Say something flame head?"

"Gray uses his magic to help him so he just creates his weapon." Erza informed Natsu.

"Well what about Luce!" Natsu begged trying to find a way out of anymore lessons with Erza.

"Lucy has spirits that can fight at long and short range, she doesn't ever put her body in danger like you either." Erza said holding firm.

"But Elfman-"

"Can cover his body in stone."

"Cana tho-"

"Uses long range card magic."

"What about Freed –"

"Natsu, Freed uses a sword."

"Oh yeah…." Natsu said as he kept on trying to think of someone in the guild who was on a similar situation until he realized he was the only one besides Gray, Erza, Lucy, Gajeel, Juvia, and Mira who really fought the super strong opponents. A light bulb appeared on his head.

"What about Wendy!" Natsu smiled triumphantly.

"She is able to constantly regain power from the surrounding air, not to mention her small size gives her amazing agility abilities, and she's not an idiot Natsu" Erza deadpanned before a few tick marks grew on her head. She then decided that Natsu would have to be told the same information twice to get the point across "You will learn how to use a weapon, it the only way to make sure this" she grabbed both his forearms causing Natsu to verbally cry out in pain "doesn't happen again. Understood" she leaned forward staring into Natsu eyes, while giving him THE stare to make sure her message got through this second time around.

"A-a-aye sir!" he croaked out as she let go.

"That was a lot easier than expected!" a happy Lucy said as she ran up the Erza, Natsu, and Gray. "All we need to do now is get this treasure back to the client and I get my lacrima!"

"And I get food!"

"And I get a new set of armor."

"And I'll some new clothes."

Lucy's good mood was instantly crushed as reality of her promise hit her. With tears in her eyes as she looked to her wallet she pulled out Virgo and told her to help them carry the stolen goods back to the mansion at the corner of town where the client was.

As they all started to leave the small platform to help the spirit with moving all the goods Natsu felt a steel grasp fall on his shoulder. He shivered slightly and looked back confused "Y-y-yeah Erza?"

"Meet me outside Fairy Hills at seven tomorrow morning and we will commence training you in a weapon. Don't be late." She said coldly as she walked past Natsu.

Natsu looked on at the verge of tears 'What did I do to deserve this?' He cried silently in his head before slowly making his way to help his fellow mages.

/

Author's notes: Just thought of this story line one day and thought I should try it out.