Fight shadows with light

Disclaimer: Please note that I do not own Fairy Tail

Chapter 1:

Lucy's POV

It's kinda ironic… It's beautiful weather, sunny with a light breeze. It creates a happy atmosphere, which strongly contrasts with the destroyed buildings around me. A day ago we were fighting here. The dragon slayers tried to win against the big dragons, while the others wanted to stop the little ones. That time I ran past here as fast as possible, hurrying to destroy eclipse, to stop the future Rogue and to save everyone's lives. Now, I only keep a slow pace, enjoying the weather, but also regretting the destructions around me.

Wait… Do I hear someone crying? I look around and notice a little green cat, wearing a pink frog suit. The poor cat sits on the ground, tears shining from its large round eyes. I walk towards it, kneel down and carefully pat its head.

"Hey… Frosch isn't it? What's wrong?"

"Frosch is sad."

"I can see that." I respond with a sweat drop. "Do you want to tell me why?"

"Frosch is sad, because Frosch can't find Rogue."

"Don't worry. I'll look for him and bring him here. Just wait here and enjoy the weather."

I feel sorry for the cat, when I see him nodding and sniffling at the same time. I stand up and full of energy I start my search for its owner.

Rogue's POV

Accept it. There is darkness in your heart. Or no. I suppose I should say it will become steeped in darkness from here on out. All you can do is except your fate.

The dragon's words are ringing in my head. The moment I heard them, I didn't believe it. They were all lies. I'm not the type of person to become King of the world. I always felt the need to have nakama, the one thing Sabertooth lacked. When Sting interrupted the dragon by running towards me like a happy puppy, followed by another huge dragon, I knew one thing … If I become something evil, the light will kill me. Sting would never let me fall to darkness. He is my nakama, someone I want to protect. I'm certain he shares that feeling. A heavy burden fell off my shoulders.

However, all my doubts returned the moment Natsu told me that I have to protect Frosch in one year. The idea to lose the little exceed truly terrifies me. Fro is my first real friend. How can I protect him if I don't even know from what I should save him. What if I am the reason he dies. During the talk with the dragon I noticed for the first time that there was something dark nearby, possibly even within myself. Natsu confirmed this thought when he mentioned the last words of my future self.

The shadows try to consume me. They follow me around, wherever I go… and the day I lose Frosch is the day the shadows and I become one.

How can I save Fro? How can I save myself? Can I trust Sting to help me? My future self killed Sting solely for obtaining his power. What if this happens again in this timeframe?

Lucy's POV

I have been looking for hours. It's already getting dark. The energy I started with is almost gone and my feet hurt. Maybe Rogue already found his cat and went back home. I'll just turn the next street and if he's not there, I quit. I enter the new street and something black and gold in the distance pulls my attention. Is that Rogue? Why is he kneeling down? Is he hurt? I run towards him and call his name. When I reach him, he lifts his head up, causing me to stare back in shock.

As usual, his messy black hair covers half of his face. However, his normally calm face is now mirroring complete despair. A path of dried tears marks the skin below his one visible eye. What caused a man that rarely shares emotions to break down like this? Before I realized it, I'm already down on my knees, embracing the hurt man. I feel him tense up, before he softly pushes me away.

"Lucy… Please leave."

"I'm not leaving you like this."

I see a flash of anger cross his features. "Leave, before I hurt you."

"You wouldn't." I understand how he feels, when his anger turns into a look of sadness and regret.

"I already did."

"Rogue… This is all about your future self, isn't it?" I study his face and see him fighting against his own emotions, trying in vain to keep a neutral face.

"Rogue… You're different than your future self. You have friends to protect and the same friends will protect you in return. You know… I was looking for you, because Frosch lost you and he was crying over it."

"Why did you take the effort to look for me? I killed you."

"Your future self killed my future self. That's completely different."

"It's not… The shadows… I feel them… I know they will take over in the future... Nothing can change that."

"You're wrong. YOU can change that, but not by cowering in fear in despair. If you want to defeat the shadows, embrace your happiness. Fight shadows with light. Fight for your future and the future of your friends."

My little speech seems to work, since his face lights up with a small smile.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." I grin. "Are you coming with me?"

"I would like to stay a little more."

"That's fine. Then I'll stay here too. We seem to have a quite nice view on the stars from here. Stargazing is a great medicine for a troubled mind." I lay down and look at the stars, leaving us both in a comfortable silence.

Rogue's POV

I have been gazing at the stars for quite some time now. Lucy was right. It really has a soothing effect. I feel a light breeze coming up. Maybe it's time to go home. Strange, a while ago I was thinking of leaving forever and now I'm not able to think of going somewhere else.

"Lucy, it's time to leave." I spoke up, only to receive silence in return. I turn my attention to Lucy, leaving me completely mesmerized. Her eyes are closed and she is breathing softly. The light of the moon is reflected on her face, leaving a silvery almost angelic shine. I wake up from my reveries when I notice her shivering in her sleep.

I sigh and decide to lay down next to her. I take off my cape and use it as a blanket to cover us both. I look over at Lucy and realize how cute she looks. I slowly fall asleep with a smile remaining on my face.