400 years

67

When I reached the eclipse gate I fell to my knees, I searched inside my pocket for my mother's Aquarius key. Luckily it was tightly crammed in the left pocket.

Desperately, I placed the key in its matching hole, just as before..

But this time, nothing happened. The other eleven keys were missing.

I clutched at the stone, at the latch like carving. Unable to hold back the tears, and my frustration. I screamed.

"Natsu! I want to be with you!"

But a nagging voice at the back of my head told me I was too late. That Natsu had already died in that thunderstorm. 'Or by Zeref's hands..'

~*~

Meanwhile, 400 years back..

Natsu fights against Zeref, in order to stop his plans of Neo Eclipse.

"Aaaahhh!" Natsu yells, his left fist's in full blaze as he takes a run and go towards Zeref.

The high powered attack slams into Zeref, knocking him skidding backwards. Smoke from Natsu's punch settles as Zeref straightens up.

"That's right, hit with me with all you've got E.N.D!" Zeref yells, his eyes are filled to the brim of crazed rage. "I.. You.. E.N.D will destroy all magic!" His twisted grin only tightens as purplish- black magic swirls around Zeref's raised hand, as he readies an attack.

But Natsu keeps a sharp gaze on Zeref, "Cat got your tongue, there big brother?!" As Natsu prepares for another blow from Zeref, he also readies his flames. "I'm Natsu, Damnit!..

..And I will protect it all from you!!"

....

~*~

Back with Lucy in the future:

'Shut up, nagging voice!' "I won't believe you! He's stronger than that!"

I wiped the tears away that burned my cheeks. 'I- I can't be alone.. Wait!' "Brandish! I finally understand! There's another chance!!"

Remembering the green haired lady when I first woke from my amnesia a month ago, as Brandish. I was reminded of the 'not so', strange things she said that day.. 'Her business card!'

Upon realizing I'd left my phone at my apartment.. I knew what I needed to do.

~*~

Two months later..

"Lucy, Your here early."

"Yeah, I'm a bit excited. You might could say."

"A bit? Heh, that's an understatement."

I only shrugged, not denying it. Because honestly, it was taking all I had to hold back how truly happy and excited I was to be going home to him.

We agreed to meet up at Zeref's memorial, in Alvarez Empire.

We'd been in constant contact over these last two months, and tonight there's another chance for the wormhole to appear.

"I know we've talked about this, but are you really ready to return?"

"I won't regret it. I'm ready."

'I'd already quite my job, created a nice story about going abroad, and said goodbye to my father.'

"Even if Natsu is already-."

"Natsu's alive. I can feel it."

"Hm, alright then."

Brandish smirked, while rolling her eyes. I've come to find out that she's not one for sappy situations. "By the way Lucy, since our return I've been going through historical records for any changes we would've caused."

She hands me a yellow filing folder. "I found a mentioning of you."

"What- really!?" I took the file and opened it. It was full of page markers and newsletter clippings. So much that it resembled a tropical bird. 'Hmm, nope, not this.. ugh.'

Brandish leaned over and flipped over a few pages to one labeled with a red tab. "Here, I imagine this is one of your stories?"

"What- oh my gosh!" The page talked about a scroll, consisting of a story. Apparently, it was demeaned the first of its kind. "My story I wrote Levy, for the babies!!"

It was like a warm hug was being offered to me through time and space.

"But, that's not the only thing." Brandish said, as she changed the page. 'Huh-!'

The page read:

Just before his death, Natsu ordered the name of the woman he loved be recorded for posterity. He said she was called Lucy, and that she was like a goddess, sent from heaven and more beautiful then the stars."

'Natsu, you really did it. You found a way to tell me. I'm on my way.. please, wait..'