Part 2: Shadows of Magic (Rogue Cheney X OC)

Chapter 12

Hope's P. O. V:

I sit in the guild hall wearing a pale blue collared-top with a hot pink tie under a grey-blue and hot pink striped sweater, also she is sporting a hot pink mini-skirt with grey-blue plaid designs and black suspenders. I am also wearing two pink beaded chokers and dark grey over-the-knee socks with black polka-dots. My shoes are dark blue heels with white trimming and pink bows on the tips. My silver hair is down in the back, but the front portion is tied in two high-pigtails that curl towards the end and my bangs are down, while trying but failing to write my new upcoming single.

I was having trouble focusing because of the first Akatsuki attack in 7 years, and my mind is scrambled from it as well as the fact Persephone targeted Rogue instead of me directly. It was also hard with Natsu continuously pestering me for a fight.

"... Come on, Hope-chan! I wanna fight!!" The Dragneel was whining, standing off to my right. I clench my teeth as my knuckles turn white from how hard I grip my pen. Lucy and Wendy glance at me wearily. "You've gotten so much stronger in seven years and I wanna rematch!"

"Why don't you challenge Gray to a fight?" I grit out. I really wasn't in the mood...

"Because he chickened out! Come on, please?!"

I twitch. But since he said the word please...

I slowly set down my pen and briefly close my eyes as I rise to my feet. "Alright, Natsu, I'll give you a fight... if you'll leave me in peace afterwards."

An eager grin appears on his face as I step over the bench.

"Alright!! Get ready for this, Hope-chan!!" Natsu says as he swings his fist around towards me. With my eyes closed, I activate my Ether Form and clench my right fist tightly and ram it right into his stomach with force, but without ethernano.

I think I hear a crack echo as everyone gasps and seems to freeze in place. Natsu remains frozen over my fist with a pained expression on his features, eyes bugging in their sockets. Then he slowly slides off and hits the floor heavily.

"There, are you satisfied? Now, leave me in peace, Natsu. I'm not in the mood," I say as the rest of the guild members laugh, except for Lucy and Wendy, and I open my eyes again, Ether Form fading.

"Round 1 goes to Hope!" Macao declares.

I ignore him as I whirl around and sit back down, putting my cheek in hand. Wendy gets up and goes to heal Natsu.

Lucy speaks up wearily, "Um, are you alright, Hope?"

I let out a sigh as I drop my hand. "I just haven't been able to stop thinking about The Akatsuki, and the way Persephone attacked me that night. Every other time she's always targeted me herself or sent her members after me. But this time, she targeted my boyfriend. How did she even know Rogue and I were dating?"

Erza muses, "Perhaps she watched you fight in the Grand Magic Games with a lacrima vision? And then sent one or two of her guild members out to watch you from a distance?"

"That's creepy!" Exclaims the Heartfilia. I hear Natsu groan his thanks to the Sky Dragon Slayer as he gets to his feet.

I mutter, "Tell me about it. And I thought she'd finally given up during your guys' absence. Why attack now, of all times, when you've returned?"

"Who knows what she's thinking?" Gray mumbles with a shrug.

I let out another depressed sigh. "I just wish I knew her next move so I know how to protect Roguey. It makes e so mad," I growl as I tighten my fist on my pen, knuckles turning white and making Lucy nervous, "knowing that she'd targeted my boyfriend and forced him to attack me!" There's a snap as my pen breaks in half due to my grip, causing Lucy to gasp as she forms a tiny sweat drop.