To Any Cost

Chapter 12: Lyon or Gray...

Sorry it's been a while... I was sick a couple days ago and with the holidays an all... Oh joy... Anyways, I hope you all like this chapter! I've been looking forward to writing it sooo much!!! ;)

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   "H-hey Wendy?"

   She turned to face her balloon partner in surprise, "Oh, hey, Romeo!"

   "U-uh..." Romeo looked nervously back at his father who gave him a wave, urging him on, "C-can I ask you something?"

   "Yeah, sure!"

   "D-do you want to... um... well, I-"

   "Wendy!" a harsh voice sounded behind her.

   "What is it, Charle?"

   "You're too-" the exceed began but was cut off by Romeo.

   "Wendy, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the new shopping center with me!"

   "Oh!" her eyes glistened, "I would lo-"

   "Wendy!" Charle flew in front of her, "You're too young to go on a date!"

   "But Charle, I-"

   "No buts," Charle turned to Romeo, "I'm sorry but, she can't come."

   Romeo's ears burned red, "No, it's fine," he turned to walk away, "I understand. I shouldn't have asked-"

   "Romeo, I would love to go to the shopping center!" Wendy half shouted.

   He spun around, eyes wide, "Really?"

   She nodded, grinning, "Besides, I need to get a dress for the auction anyways!"

   "Now wait just a minute, Wen-" Charle began, but a certain annoying exceed flew up next to her.

   "Hey, Charle!"

   "Happy," she sighed in defeat.

   "Maybe we could go to the shopping center too!"

   "Oh..." she blushed a little. 'No! Stop blushing!' she thought desperately.

   "That way I could buy more fish-"

   "AGH!" she flew off frustration.

   Happy frowned, "What did i do wrong?"

   Natsu came up next to the blue exceed, sucking in some fire from a torch. "I dunno... Bad mood?"

   In the distance, Lucy face palmed.

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   'So this is it, huh?' Gray stepped off the train. The city in front of him had been reduced to rubble. Ruined houses, apartments, stores, and buildings had barely a frame standing. Splintered boards were strewn across the street as if they were nothing more but articles of clothing, and the broken glass that littered the ground crunched beneath his feet as snow normally would. Old paper flyers lay crumpled against the dirt. Despite the eeriness of the town, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the sun shone brightly above. 

   "This is nice..." he thought, "To get away and finally have some piece and qui-"

   A large, crashing sound shattered the air as a gigantic figured loomed into view not to far away from him.

   "Crap..."

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   "Lyon, now!" Juvia shouted as the monster bared down on them.