Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 20

The town of Magnolia was filled with lively energy as everyone eagerly prepared for the grand Harvest Festival. Lucy looked around in amazement, guided by her friends through the busy streets. For once, Natsu had left her side in favour of looking for some food with Happy, which left her with Gray and Juvia who decided to keep roaming before they had to head back to the guild hall to help with preparations themselves.

"The streets are packed," Juvia stated with a small smile. Lucy hummed in agreement.

"Yeah, no joke!" She laughed.

"It's because people from all over come to Magnolia to see the Fantasia parade," Gray yawned, a hand in his pocket.

"Crap, I almost forgot about the Miss Fairy Tail contest," Lucy groaned. She wanted to see more of the festival decorations, but she guessed it would have to wait until afterwards. "Tell Natsu I'm going back to the guild to get ready if you see him! Wish me luck!" She waved goodbye to them before she started jogging towards the guild.

"Maybe she should've waited for Natsu, I don't know, I just have a bad feeling about this," Gray mumbled to himself as Juvia looked at him in concern.

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"People of Magnolia and people from nearby towns! The Fairy Tail beauties will perform on this stage, so without further due, let the contest begin!"

Lucy's hands were shaking, just hearing the crowd outside made her nervous, but she took a deep breath to calm herself. Behind her, Levy and Bisca were chatting off their own nerves, while Mira and Erza waited patiently.

She clasped her hands together, closing her eyes in a silent prayer. Everything would go fine, she would perform her cheer and win that prize money!

"May I introduce to you our first contestant, Cana Alberona!" And with that, the girls went on, until it was finally her turn. She had to admit, if she wasn't intimidated before, she definitely was now. Everyone had such cool tricks to show off, would a cheer even really be enough?

"Seventh contestant! Our cute super rookie, Lucy!" Mentally, she thanked Max for alluding her last name, taking one more deep breath before putting a smile on her face and walking out. The crowd erupted in cheers, jeering could be heard from all over as she waved to everyone. Her eyes searched the crowd until she found a tuff of pink hair. Natsu had his eyes locked on her and for some reason, it caused her to smile brighter.

"I-I had a little routine prepared for you all," Lucy shrugged off her jacket, exposing her unique cheerleader uniform underneath, reaching for Virgo's key to summon her.

"Number eight," a sultry voice cut in. Lucy whipped around, turning to face a brunette in a green dress with... wings?

"What the heck?" Lucy murmured, wary at the sight of the newcomer.

"Let's just end the contest right here and now, it's obvious who the winner is," the woman chuckled sarcastically, "who else could it be? It's me, of course."

"You're joking right?" Lucy glared, irritated with the entire turn of events. The woman turned slightly to look at her, pulling her glasses up with a smirk.

"What did you say, little girl?"

In an instant, Lucy felt her body freeze up. She couldn't move before her entire world went dark.

"Lucy!" Gray yelled, standing up, knocking over his chair, in a haste. At the sight of Lucy's stone figure, the hall erupted into chaos. Max yelled for everyone to get out as Fairy Tail members gathered around the stage, each and every one of them furious.

"What are you doing, Evergreen?! Are you trying to ruin the festival?" Master Makarov chided, but the self-proclaimed Fairy only laughed, revealing the other stone statues she had made behind the curtain. Erza, Mira, Cana, Levy, and Bisca had all been turned to stone as well and this made the guild voice their displeasure.

Suddenly, a heavy pressure fell onto the building, a dark magical energy that was tangible in the air. Natsu slowly rose up from his seat, brushing away Happy who crowded him in concern. The cup in his hand burst into pieces. His face was blank, emotionless as his eyes found Evergreen's. She flinched slightly at the intense stare he had on her, eyes skittering away.

"I don't give a shit what you're trying to do here. Turn Lucy back to normal." He demanded.

"And if I don't?" Evergreen scoffed at his behaviour.

"I'll fucking burn you to a pile of ashes, there won't even be a bone left to bury," Natsu promised her. Happy looked at him worriedly. If he didn't know any better, he probably wouldn't even take Natsu seriously, but he knew Natsu meant what he said. One thing he knew about Natsu was that Natsu refused to reveal his true emotions. He acted standoffish, but it was all a front just to protect himself. There was just something about his quiet anger that made everyone shiver.

Still, he hadn't conjured a flame or anything, just tightly clenched his right fist as he stared at the statue of Lucy.

Again, he didn't protect her. Couldn't even save her. He didn't even know which one pissed him off more.

"Oi, Fairy Tail idiots, the real festival begins now!"

In a flash of light, the rest of the Thunder Legion had appeared on the stage beside Evergreen. Laxus was smirking, a bright light appeared above him, cackling just like lightning. Natsu blocked his attack from hitting Lucy, making fire appear on the right side of her stone.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Natsu pushed out, his teeth gritted angrily.

"Lighten up Chaos, I'll be taking these girls as hostages," Laxus laughed obnoxiously, slinging his arm around Lucy. Natsu had long since tuned out their conversation, eyes focused on the arm Laxus had placed on Lucy. He felt his control slipping drastically, even though he tried to pull himself together.

He is threatening Lucy's life right now. He will kill her. No, gotta get control. Gotta stay calm, think it through. Get Lucy back and keep her safe.  S tay in control. Keep it together.

His mind was at war, conflicted with what to do yet, he couldn't seem to ignore the small voice in his head.

That's my mate, my imprint. She's  mine.

He felt helpless, Laxus had all the power in his hands and he knew it. So, when everyone turned to rush out of the guild and find the Thunder Legion, Natsu ran too.

That is, until, he smacked into the barrier that Freed put up around the guild. The red runes mocked him as he pushed against the barrier, growling. He had to get out, he had too! Lucy needed him.

"Natsu — " Happy frowned.

Natsu laughed in a condescending way of utter disbelief. Of course, no one above 80 years old could pass. Laxus always loved to play dirty.

With all the pent-up aggression he had let build inside him, Natsu stalked over to a table. He flipped it, yelling and screaming as he trashed the guildhall, leaving burn marks on the wall. He was wild, like an animal. His flames burned ferociously as they consumed him until there was nothing less.

"I'm going to slaughter them. Every single one." He growled viciously, punching the wall one last time.

At that moment, Happy took a step back, standing next to Master, who watched the boy sombrely.

To be continued...