Zombies in Fiore. (10 year revision)

Chapter 2: It Begins

The rising whistle of fireworks could be heard throughout the town, mixed with jovial screams and laughter coming from the party.

A group of children were at play when one of them spotted the caves nearby. "Hey, look at those caves over there!"  Loke stepped in the way. "Excuse me, but those caves are off-limits to civilians tonight. Please go play over there." He pointed to Natsu, lighting the fireworks. "On second thought, maybe not. Here, go play with this." He pulled some sparklers out of his pocket, lit them for the children and they ran off giggling. "Nice! Loki." Lucy gave him a thumbs up and a smile. "Lucy, I must take a break. I tire and would like to go see Aries for a bit." He straightened his tie. "Okay, thank you for your help. I think I'll ask Warren to take the next watch. I want to party, and he needs to stop creeping on the guests. So if I put him by the caves, no one will go in!" She clapped her hands with a sparkle in her eyes, pleased with her plan, then made her way to get Warren. "Hey!  Warren! It's your turn to guard the cave." He turned around, and his face was covered in red marks. 'Go figure'  She thought to herself. "Warren... It's your turn to guard the caves, keep the kids out, and don't let anyone in." She walked towards Natsu, about to light a really big firework and stopped him. "Save that one for last." She winked at him and helped him line some up. Natsu handed her a stick and set it on fire at the tip. "Now run and light all of them." He said grinning ear to ear. She did just that,  looking back she caught him smiling at her before his eyes got wide. "Watch out!" She turned around just in time for her face to meet a post from the pier. She fell to the floor and held her face. Natsu came running. "Aaaahaa, that freaking hurt. Where the hell did that pole come from?" She looked down to find out that her bikini top was jostled loose and about to fall off. "Don't look at me!" She grabbed the top just in time and turned around so no one could see her front. "Natsu, tie this!" He responded quickly and tied it. "You didn't get all of the fireworks. You missed one in the middle." She turned around and sure enough there was one still standing. "Okay, go light it up." she said, still rubbing her face. Natsu walked over to it and lit the fuse. It shot up and exploded into a heart.

Atop one of the buildings that lined the beach, two men stood looking over the party, hidden in the evening fog that rolls in by the ocean. "Everything is in place, and they are here. Have you prepared the glasses and tableware?" The man who spoke was tall and he was remarkably tan for looking so gaunt. The man he spoke to stood with a slouch and had the features of an incredibly hairy ratwolf. The creature looked at him and responded in a low, rumbling voice. "Yes. It's been taken care of." Then beckoning to somewhere on the roof. He continued. "The time for your performance is near, darling." From the fog on the roof came a tall, lean woman with long white ears and a dark purple swimsuit. A snap of her fingers, and the ears disappeared. "Okay, into the caves, I go." She grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses and put them in a small space with another poof. "Remember, inside that cave our is where our man put the bottles. Unfortunately we weren't able to get them because the persons preparing the party wouldn't let us anywhere near them. Do not fail us. Do not break any of them. There are nine, to be exact. If you break one, he will be furious." The gaunt man said. She shot him a dark glare. "Do not underestimate my seductive powers. Don't you dare!" And with that, she left with another poof. "Why is she so touchy with that?" The man asked. The ratwolf just shrugged.

Back at the party. Natsu was eating some fire with an audience of confused party goers, and Lucy was playing volleyball. He was watching her jump and play and smile. He liked seeing her have fun. She was so beautiful when she smiled. Shit, actually, she was beautiful all the time. Something on the wind caught his attention, looking over towards the caves he took a few whiffs. "What is that?" He turned back to Lucy, who was hunched over trying to catch her breath. He looked at the ground thinking she would call him a pervert or something. She came over and sat down next to him, leaning on him. "I... Am worn out. That was a fun game!" She sat up and stretched her arms behind her, glancing at him with one eye open. "You could have joined in you know."  "It looked like loads of fun! But we both know I'd just set stuff on fire."  He looked out at the ocean, listening to the waves. "Oh Natsu, you can do more than just set fire. You and I both know that. You're kind, you're a great fighter, you're not just a destructive mage." She rested her head once more on his shoulder. "Besides, you should join next time. I could always use the help." They both chuckled