Hello, everyone! ☆ Here is the first chapter to Fairy Tail: Shadows! I couldn't wait till tomorrow to publish the first chapter, so..you're welcome. ^.^ I have a few things I want to say, of course.. I'm a little worried about the length of this book. I want it to be at least twenty chapters, but at the same time, I'm afraid it won't be able to go that long. I wanted to make a split book because I wanted more suspence, but I don't know how much it'll go. :/ All I know it that it will be over ten chapters. c: Oh well, maybe I'll think of something to add later so that it'll be longer~

Multimedia: I have the main "theme song" that describes the whole book's setting. You can find that to the right~ It's basically the whole theme for the book, so... c: I hope you enjoy it!

My Appointement: I'm alright. c: I just was assigned to drink tons of water, and they checked to see if my blatter and liver were alright. However, they don't know what's wrong with my stomach. I have to go to a different doctor soon, and see if he can figure out what's wrong. :( For those who wanted to know, there you go!

Moving on, I dedicate this chapter to fairytailnalu1! c: He's such a great friend; thank you so much for always giving me complements! :'D You were excited to read this, so I wanted to dedicate this to you. :) I hope you'll enjoy this story, as well~

So, I hope you all enjoy, and don't forget; feedback is very much appreciated! Until next time, everyone! ^.^

яу-¢нαи, ❝тнє иαℓυ ωяιтєя❞



=======================================================================

Natsu was silent, leaning on his hands and knees as he hanged his head low.  His eyes were covered in shadow, which obscured his face as well.  The only thing that was visible was his teeth, which were clenched tightly in mixed emotions.

Please, Natsu...save everyone in my exchange.  

Lucy's voice ringing through Natsu's mind triggered a reaction, which was his muscles tensing as he slowly stood up, turning away from the cliff.

The machine was dangerously close to being completed.  The percentage was at seventy-five percent, and was steadily growing just like the storm.  However, Natsu slowly walked towards it - which was only ten yards away - with silence, his teeth still clenched tightly.

Eighty percent...

Natsu walked on.

Eighty five...

Natsu came to a stop in front of it, his fists clenching so hard the whites of his knuckles were showing.

Ninety percent...

Suddenly throwing his head back, Natsu's face came into view.  It was filled with emotion; anger, sorrow, and despair.  Natsu's pupils were contracted, showing immense pain and crazed fury inside them.

Roaring as loudly as he could, Natsu slammed his fist into the machine, making sure all his power was in that attack.  The machine exploded into thousands of peices, smoke, debris clouds, and fire flying into the air.  The ground rumbled as the machine crashed to the ground, and the dark clouds seemed to start to clear.  There was no more thrashing winds, and no more quakes.

All was silent.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Erza and the others finally made it.  It had taken them forever, but they had been transported back to the bottom of the mountain, outside the portal and into Fiore again.

They screeched to a stop when they saw the building in a crumbling pile, with the bridge collapsed.

"What happened here...?"  Erza murmured, and they looked around, dumbfounded.

Gray smirked.  "Looks like Natsu destroyed everything.  That could only mean he beat Lores."

Happy pumped his fist in the air.  "That's Natsu!"

Wendy spotted something.  "Look, everyone!"

Turning their heads, they spotted the ruins of what must have been the machine.  There was something appearing out of it, making the top debris roll down off the sides of the pile.

Natsu sprang from inside, his head thrown back in a vicious roar.  Tears were running down the corners of his eyes, which were clenched tightly shut.

Carla's breath stopped in her throat.  My vision!  It's exactly the same!  B-But what is Natsu crying for?  He's not one to cry easily...

What happened here?!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Wendy covered her eyes, dropping to the ground as she began to cry.  Erza placed a hand on the girl's head, kneeling next to her and trying to hold back her own feelings.  Gray slammed to his knees, his eyes wide in shock as he stared and Natsu.  Happy was silent, his mouth parted in shock though tears streamed from his big eyes and snot appeared out of his nose.

"Lucy's...dead?"  Happy asked Gray, who's face was intensely strained.

Natsu was walking off, leaving them behind to deal with it themselves.  Natsu didn't want to let them see him crying; he hated crying.  But he couldn't help it.  How could he not cry, when Lucy was...

He couldn't even say the word, let alone believe it.  He dropped to the ground, feeling all his energy gone.  No, it wasn't because of his injuries, but because of the incrdible loss he felt.

His Lucy was gone.

Natsu didn't just feel sorrow; he felt overwhelming anger.  But at who?  Lucy?  Lores?  Or even himself?  Natsu didn't know anymore; he was too overwhelmed with sadness.  His nightmare had come true, without him even realizing it!  Those dreams had been a warning; he should have never ignored them!  Because of that, Lucy was gone!

Stumbling to the cliff edge and dropping to the ground where Lucy disappeared, Natsu held back a sob.  Scratching at the ground, dirt was surfaced from the earth in the line of Natsu's fingers.  And right where Natsu's fingers had been, teardrops fell to the ground.

Don't worry, we're all here for you!

Natsu, thank you.  I promise I'm all better now.

"Damn it..."  Natsu muttured, clenching his eyes together as more tears poured from the corner of his eyes.

I'm sorry I failed in helping you find Igneel, Natsu.  It's my fault.

I don't care if Igneel isn't here!  Natsu exclaimed through his mind hysterically.  Just come back..Lucy!

Natsu couldn't hold it in anymore.  

Why did this have to happen?  Lucy didn't have to sacrifice herself; she didn't have to do it!  Natsu could've pulled them up if it had came to it!

However, deep down, Natsu knew they would've both died if Lucy hadn't let go.

Frustration built in his chest.

"Lucy, you idiot!"  He screamed, and his voice echoed throughout the chasm's walls.

Everyone's face was heartbroken, and they watched Natsu sadly.

There were footsteps scuffling against the ground, and everyone turned to look ahead of them in surprise.

"Loren!"  Happy exclaimed.

Loren looked defeated, bruised and injured.  She had a sad look on her face, looking ashamed.  Natsu didn't turn at the sound of Loren's named called; he still was looking at the ground.

Loren's eyes shook.  "You...were able to free me.  Thank you."

They all looked happy for a second, but it turned back to sorrow because that didn't change the fact that Lucy was gone.

Loren glanced at Natsu, her eyes narrowed sadly.  "I'm sorry...about our trouble.  We didn't know we were doing these things, honest.  But...now I know what we've done, and I greatly apologize."

They could tell in her tone of voice that not only did she not only mean the machine, but Lucy's death.

"It's not your fault."  Caral replied.  "You were brain-washed, remember?"

Loren nodded, turning her head to look at Natsu.  "Salamander...my brother is still out because of your power.  He was mostly influenced by Vallen's power.  I thank you."

"Vallen?"  Erza muttered, looking up.  "Who might he be?"

Loren's face darkened, though the sadness remained.  "The man who controlled us."

Natsu was still frozen, no reactions coming from him at all.

"That was his name?"  Gray asked, now sitting down on the ground, his face exhausted and torn.

Loren nodded.  "I..finally know what it is he wanted."

"What?"  Wendy asked, confused.

"You're not going to like it."  Loren replied, her voice low.

.

.

.

.

================================================

Stay tuned for the next chapter, Chapter 2: A Chance.