Long Time No See [Book 2, to OEIF]

Chapter 10- Battle Begins

Natsu's POV

The area outside was pretty actually. On the way here I could see an open field which Loke said was near the hill I would have to go to afterwards.

"The lacrima...you stupid thing..WORK!" Levy yelled, smacking the lacrima over and over again for it to turn on.

"It was fine a few minutes ago." Hane said.

"Way to state the obvious." I roll my eyes.

"Whatever. No lacrima then. Besides, the key should be up ahead." Levy said, placing the lacrima back into her purse.

"How up ahead?! We've been walking-" I stop.

There was a key halfway in a stone that was surrounded by 12 dull white lights around it.

I start to run towards it but stop in my tracks as I hear what sounded like Mira's screaming then followed by Gajeel's.

Levy stared at the dark tunnel behind us from where we came from as she placed her hands over her mouth.

"I'll stay with Natsu. Levy, I think you should go back and see if you can help out." Hane suggested.

I wasn't completely okay with this though. Sending Levy off to get hurt is wrong. Not that I think she can't handle it. I know she's strong. She's a Fairy Tail member.

"Hane...you go. Levy can stay with me." I say.

"Natsu, if it makes you feel better, I'll go with Levy? I can also help moving them out of the way back there." Happy said.

I looked from Happy back to Levy as she gave me a small nod and smile.

"You want to go cause Carla is back there don't ya?!" I say.

"I'm but a man in love. I need to keep my lady safe don't I?" Happy shrugged.

Hane cracked a smile.

"Fine." I say.

I decided to go back with them to check on the others as well. After all, we found the key and it seems like it'll be easy to retrieve it.

Levy stopped us from going any further once we saw the exist. I hesitantly agreed and they went off to help. From here I could see it was getting late. Maybe it was around 8? Getting to this area took almost all day.

"Let's go." Hane ordered.

We were running but something was off. I had the keys on my right. Yet the sound of them came from Hane.

"You noticed too"

"I guess...? But it really doesn't make sense why he would have them."

Hane started laughing softly.

"What." I say more than ask.

"Took you long enough." He smirked as we stopped a few feet away from the key.

"Natsu. HE has the keys. Not you. Yours are fake!"

I instantly reach out for the keys and held them up for me to see. They felt real. But they weren't. They began to fade away as Hane was laughing. Holding up the REAL keys.

That night. The keys I found under the bed were a copy while Hane actually took the real ones. But a copy? How?!

"Illusion create magic to let you in on my secret." Hane said.

I attempted to reach for the keys but he jumped back and snapped his fingers. Silver spears were coming my way but I dodged them.

"Illusion magic?! Then how come yours feel so real."