Chapter Three- For Those Worlds Apart

Standing is the hardest part of waking up in a strange place. Lucy can hardly believe her eyes when she spots a floating river. Fish leap out of it and fly about with ease. Islands float all around her and the blonde mage rubs her eyes to make sure that the bright light that she saw when appearing here didn't damage her eyesight. Her jaw drops finally, after she pinches herself to make sure that she is truly awake.

"Ouch!" She mumbles in response to her skin jolting with pain. Obviously the sight before her is real, and for once, Lucy feels afraid. She wishes Natsu was beside her. Happy and him would be able to make this better. Instantly, she feels a sense of loneliness coming upon her and after that her stomach grumbles. Rubbing the aching bruise on her head, she starts to make her way towards what looks like a path. It's what they would want, right? They would want her to keep moving forward.

The trees seem endless, and eventually the amazement of a new world wears thin as the soles of her boots do the same. Her feet and heart ache for the comfort of home. As if her luck is upon her, the mushroom shrubs part to reveal a pumpkin building. She picks up her pace, starting to circle the building to search for an entrance. Another shock comes to her instead when she spots another building across the clearing.

This structure looks more like a tree than anything else. Two tips spiral outwards into the sky and hold up a sign that gives Lucy hope. It's orange and has the symbol she has been searching for. Fairy Tail. The orange sign has the white insignia blazing as it blows in the wind. A grin appears on Lucy's face and before she knows it, she is running towards the doors. She bursts in and like always, nobody seems to find that odd. For a second it seems like home, until she glances around. The decor matches an earthy feel, with mushrooms and plants replacing furniture. She admires the atmosphere for a second before she notices a pair of eyes watching her from behind a table. A very familiar pair of onyx eyes.

"Natsu?" Lucy beckons, tilting her head as she walks closer. He shies away from her, and bumps into a very large man.

"Juvia-san! Wait for-" The form falls forwards, crashing on top of the flame-brain who bumped into him. Lucy's eyes take a look at this man's face and she pales, "Gray?"

"L-l-lucy's back?!" Gray exclaims, clutching on to Natsu as both of them tremble at her appearance. All heads turn to look at the encounter, heads perching up at the sight of their guildmate returning.

"Oi! Gorilla strength woman, stop distracting everyone while I'm trying to work," A voice shouts from behind her. It sounds familiar, but she has never heard it so angry with her. Her body turns, spotting a familiar bluenette. She is clothed in a skimpy red outfit, with a skull headband. Lucy tilts her head to the side, confused at the other girls anger, "L-Levy-chan?"

Whispers immediately start up through the guild, and Levy drops her wrench, looking shocked at the Celestial Spirit mage.

"Lucy-san, are you feeling okay?" Cana questions. Her outfit is strange as well, a white ruffled dress with a large floppy hat to top it off. Lucy stares at her strangely, starting to notice large differences between these people and her own guildmates.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Lucy questions, starting to doubt that she truly found the Fairy Tail she so desperately was searching for. The confusion and kindness in her words causes mouths to drop, Levy is the first one to move, walking up to her, "What game do you think you're playing? Go beat up Natsu or some other time wasting activity like you usually do."

"B-beat up Natsu? I-is that possible?" Lucy stammers, looking around at the guild. She has never done any of those things, and it is strange to have Levy yelling at her. Her mind races to find a solution, but all she can come up with is that these are not the same people, but they have to be. This is Fairy Tail.

"Levy, stop yelling at her! Can't you see that mark on her head?" An unfamiliar voice calls out from the crowd. The people part to reveal a white haired girl standing there. Her hair is cut in a bob style and she wears a blue tanktop with a white shirt, held up by a flowing pink sash. White gloves cover her arms.

"What do you mean, Lisanna?" Levy questions, grabbing Lucy's face and turning it to examine the mark on her head. It is bright red, and rapidly bruising. The Celestial Mage winces at the rough treatment. Lisanna walks forward a bit, staring thoughtfully at it, "Could her memories have been altered?"

"I have heard about this happening," Levy admits, nodding her head. She didn't feel the need to be angry at this new Lucy. She is too different to get upset at. Lucy looks at the both of them with bewilderment. Lisanna pokes the mark, earning a yelp from Lucy as she tries to pull away.

"What do you remember?" Lisanna questions thoughtfully, pulling at one of Lucy's cheeks while Levy yanks at the other. Lucy bats them away gently, clearing her throat, "When I got hit? The city was falling… and-"

"The city?" Levy interrupts with a giggle.

"Nirvana… Don't you guys…" From the blank looks on their faces, Lucy can tell that this isn't a concept they are familiar with. Her face falls, and she looks at the ground as a blush forms on her face. The act of this sends the guild into a shocked silence.

"Even your personality has changed," Mirajane observes as she nears the group surrounding Lucy, staring at the mark on her head, "It must have been some accident."

"Do I look that bad?" Lucy asks with a frown, her lip protruding. A couple anxious chuckles echo through the crowd gathered.

"No, let's get you cleaned up," Mirajane murmurs softly, throwing a hesitant arm around the girl. Lucy feels comfort from the embrace and she sniffs slightly, missing her own guild. She couldn't tell them this. Who would ever believe her?

By the time the group reaches the traveller's inn, night has already fallen. Erza reads the sign on the top, "The Traveller's Inn, Rise. Gray, what does the request say?"

"It says that this woman took a bunch of money from a bunch of people for some diet food called Metamo-chan. The whole town got addicted and then went bankrupt. They are calling it the City without Sound since so many people have been leaving. They want us to reprimand her and get their money back," Gray reports, placing the page in his jacket pocket, which he surprisingly still wears. He looks forward at the large yellow building, noticing a lack of presence from their dragon slayer partner. Happy paddles up behind them, looking up at Erza, "Natsu isn't happy."

"How can we expect him to be?" The reequip mage bluntly states, looking back at their friend. He stares up at the stars, clutching Lucy's keys in his hand. Gray frowns at the sight, looking over at the inn and then back at the moping pinkette, "Flames for Brains, you going to mope or destroy some shit?"

The man in question turns towards him, hardening his eyes as he catches sight of the ice mage, "You calling me out, Ice Nugget?"

"Are you too chicken, Flame Spewer?" Gray finds himself retorting as he stalks up to the dragon slayer. A red aura builds around Natsu, and they both are ready to fight when Erza steps between them, "Mission, remember?" She doesn't reprimand them for arguing. The fact that they both seem to be getting back to a normal routine brings the smallest hint of a smile to her face.

"What are we doing?" Natsu turns his head from Gray, looking at the building in front of them. The ignored ice mage crosses his arms, frowning at the question, "If you had been paying attention, you would know."

"If you were interesting, maybe I wouldn't ignore you," Natsu taunts, a hint of a smile playing on his face as he looks defiantly at his friend. Gray looks a bit shocked at the quick reaction from the dragon slayer, instantly hardening his face at the comment. His mouth opens to retaliate when Erza chuckles, starting for the building without a word to say to the two of them. Natsu trails after her, with Happy flying behind him. The ice mage gapes at the behavior, closing his mouth as he races after them, unknowingly leaving the request and his jacket laying on the ground behind him.

"There you go, good as new!" Mirajane exclaims as she finished dabbing Lucy's forehead with a sticky substance. The Stellar Mage looks up at the kind woman, feeling a heavy weight settling on her heart. She is so much like the real Mirajane, the likeness is impeccable and it makes her heart want to break. Why did everyone have to be so different?

"Thank you, Mira-san," Lucy replies numbly, staring at the wall across from her bed. Her eyes grow misty once more, but she wipes them. Her eyes catch Mirajane's. The bartender has wide eyes, hands over her mouth. Lucy reels back, touching her face, "Is there something on my face?"

"N-no! You've just never called me Mira-san before… I-it's nice," The whitehaired woman replies with a kind smile, giggling softly as she puts away the towel that she was using. She looks back at Lucy, blue eyes flashing, "Now. Are you ready to go out and see everyone?"

"Wait! Mira! W-what am I supposed to be like?" The blonde questions softly, looking down as she waited for the answer. The bartender pauses, tilting her head slightly, "Scary. You are good at beating up Natsu and have a rivalry with Levy, but I think you are truly sweet underneath. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you forgot."

"Thank you," Lucy mumbles, fiddling with her hands as she stares at her hand. The guild mark is gone. The more she rubs there, the more upset she feels. Mirajane starts to leave, hand gripping the doorknob when the Celestial mage calls out to her once more, "Mira-san… do you know where my keys are?"

"Keys?"

"Like the Portals to the Spirit World?" Lucy looks over at the other woman, finding pure confusion over her face. Her heart sinks down into her stomach. Mirajane smiles slightly, "Your magical weapon? It's on your belt."

Lucy glances down to see a whip attached to her hip. No more spirits. The other woman didn't even understands when she had mentioned it. The blonde grasps the weapon, taking it out of her belt and staring at it. It looks just like her old one, but further inspection shows her that a magical lacrima rests at its base. She flicks it gently, watching the leather expand out at her will. Carefully, she places the weapon back onto her belt and lays back on the bed, frowning sadly, "I miss you. Natsu… Happy… everyone."

"I miss Lucy," Happy complains suddenly, causing the group to turn around and look at him. The traveller's inn is empty from what they can tell and it makes it seem all the more lonely. Erza nods towards the Exceed, acknowledging his grief. Frankly, none of them know how to quell the empty feeling in their hearts. Natsu angrily clutches the keys in his hand, ordering out a response, "We should split up."

Nobody questions it, the isolation allow time for self realization in the death of their friend. Happy trails after the pinkette, knowing full well that he would need aid in his mourning.

"Natsu, you're going to break the building," Happy complains to his fiery friend. The pinkette slams the door to the empty room, cracks appear on the edge of the frame. The dragon slayer huffs, stalking over to the next door, "There's nobody here!"

"What about that room?" Happy questions, pointing at a door surrounded with large colorful plush animals. Natsu tilts his head, shrugging as he starts for it. The faded tan walls slowly transition to a sky blue wallpaper when he reaches the end of the hallway. Weird cat-like creatures line the doorway, making the room seem more childlike than ominous. Instead of knocking, Natsu goes right for the door handle, starting to open the door when it swings open on its own accord. A black haired woman stands waiting, munching on a weird snack in her hand. A strange shade covers her face as she starts to speak, mouth full of the weird snack in her hand, "Yup, yup? Come to buy young man?"

Natsu's face screws up in confusion, "Are you Daphne?"

"Yup, yup! Must be a customer! Come on in, come on in, quick quick, come on in!" She shouts as her face seems to glow in happiness at the prospect of him being here. A magic circle blooms underneath his and Happy's feet. They start to get pulled towards the door when Gray and Erza round the corner.

"Hey! Don't go beat her up without us!" The ice mage complains angrily, starting to speed up when a magic circle starts to drag the both of them in as well.

"Yup yup! More customers! Yup yup yup!" Daphne chants as the doors shut behind the group, locking them inside the dark room. Nobody moves for a second, until they all jump back at the sight of Daphne on top of a podium. Fireworks explode behind her as she starts to go into a sales speech. Music starts to play from somewhere in the room, shocking the group into silence at the saleswoman's behavior and splendor. She starts ranting about her beauty, and suddenly the bottom of her platform gets sindged.
"I could care less. Have you been swindling the townsfolk?" Natsu pipes up, annoyed with the antics and her lack of attention with their true priorities. Gray and Erza glance at him briefly, before looking back at Daphne.

"Yup yup yup! At your service!" A white tint glows over her glasses as she pushes them up, a mischievous look growing on her face. Immediately, Gray's shirt flies off as he rolls his shoulders. Erza reequips her armor, holding her sword in her hands as she stares down the woman. Natsu smirks, fire growing around him, "I'm all fired up."

"So let me get this straight, I'm the one who beats up Natsu?" Lucy mumbles softly, filing it under things in this world that made no sense to her. Lisanna giggles, leaning over the bar as she glances over at the timid pinkette crouching behind a table.

"Yep! But I was pretty sure you secretly liked him," The bar mistress responds with a grin. Lucy can feel a slight blush growing onto her cheeks as she shakes her head, "Him? No way."

"Probably not anymore, until your memories come back or whatever happened gets fixed," The other woman speculates, shrugging slightly, "It's weird having you be all chatty and calm."

"I'm trying to act better. What would I be doing right now?" Lucy looks around at the guild, slightly perturbed at the differences that the people here have compared to the ones back home. Lisanna hums softly as she tries to think of something, her face brightening as she finally says, "Arguing with Levy! Since you don't like to beat up Natsu."

"What kinda things do we argue about?" Lucy questions, trying to get a better feel for how she had to act to be accepted. With no hope of going home, wherever that is, she knows that she is going to have to get comfortable with this Fairy Tail, however strange the people act.

"Trivial things, mostly just yelling and shouting about little flaws about each other," Lisanna lifts her body off of the bar, noticing a guild member motioning her over. She smiles at Lucy, tilting her head towards the girl, "Good luck!"

Lucy gulps slightly, turning towards where she saw Levy last. The mechanic is working on some machine over in the corner. She needs something to argue about. Bravely, she gets off of her chair, walking over towards the other version of her best friend. The timid Natsu trials after her like some sort of dog. The Celestial mage gathers up her courage, hesitantly calling out Levy, "Why don't you work faster….. gear….weirdo?"

The woman in question bangs her head on the device as she jerks her head up in surprise. She looks over at the tentative Stellar mage. For a moment, her eyes cloud in confusion before she realizes what Lucy is trying to do. Immediately, she scowls, rubbing her head, "Look what you had me do, amnesia gorilla woman."

Lucy is taken aback for a moment, at a loss for good insults. She thinks back to Gray and Natsu, the way they would bicker back and forth. They always somehow came to a brawl at the end before Erza ripped them apart. After thinking for a moment, she comes up with something and tries to say it in the meanest way possible, but it only comes out slightly grumpy, "Are you calling me out… freaky mechanic?"

"I am calling you out, whiplash. Whatcha gonna do about it?" Levy retorts quickly, leaning in and staring at Lucy's face with a small smirk building. Obviously in this state the bluenette would win in an instant. Lucy has to try and think of some answer that wouldn't get her killed, when Lisanna comes walking up on the fight, "I think that's enough for one day."

She places a hand on Lucy's shoulder, guiding her away from the situation. Levy huffs, returning back to her work with a snide comment, "Wouldn't want to damage her head further."

Lucy can see a small smile on the young woman's face, and notices how the other guild members are starting to look at her differently. Maybe she could fake it after all.

This is soooo late and I apologize. School and pit orchestra took over my life for a while.

I hope you enjoy this suuuper late chapter.

Thanks for sticking around!

Thanks to Akela-Nakamura for editing! She only had one correction!

Sorry again,

-Spirit