Rave Master Fan Fiction ❯ Upon a Shooting Star ❯ Chapter 1: Echoes of the Future ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1: Echoes of the Future

It was awkward, Lucy decided, here she was in a four year old body and with her parents again when she clearly remembered both of them being dead. She still kept believing she would wake up and this would all be some heartbreaking dream. Then there was that time yesterday, when Layla had, surprisingly, summoned Aquarius so Lucy could meet and discuss terms to their, future, contract.Flashback
Lucy clutched onto her mother’s skirt as she eyed the keyring in the older woman’s hand, more specifically on a key that she last knew as broken. She held back the tears at the memory as Layla inserted the key in the pond.“Open, Gate of the Water Bearer, Aquarius!” Layla intoned, much like Lucy had/will do.In a splash of water, the irate mermaid appeared, hefting the water jug as she gave a mild glare to Layla. “What?”Layla gave a warm smile to her. “Hello, Aquarius, I hope I didn’t disturb you too much.”Aquarius huffed and her blue eyes zeroed in on Lucy. “So, this is the little urchin. What’s her problem.”Lucy sniffled, bringing up a hand to her watering eyes as she a heartbreaking, deliriously happy smile. “H-hello, Aquarius.” [She’s back…please, please, please don’t be a dream….]Aquarius raises an eyebrow as Layla starts comforting her daughter. “Aquarius, this is my daughter, Lucy. I know it’s been a while since you’ve seen her last. She was just born last I summoned you all, I’m sorry for it being such a long time.”The mermaid queen huffed. “It’s giving me plenty of to be with, you know, my boyfriend.”Layla smiled as Lucy regained control of herself again, still staring up at Aquarius in awe. “How have things been with Scorpio?”A pink blush colored the bluenette’s cheeks. “Good…very good…”“That’s wonderful to hear. Actually, there is another reason I summoned you, Aquarius.”Aquarius looked at her master. “What this time?”“I was hoping you could make a contract with Lucy.”Lucy snapped her head up to look at her mother in surprise. [Contract…? But…I didn’t contract any of the Zodiacs until after Mama died…]Aquarius blinked. “A contract? How old is she, three? Aren’t you pushing things too much?”Layla shook her head. “No. Lucy’s magic, for some reason, got a very strong boost some nights ago. I thought it was just a fluke at first, but it hasn’t gone down since. I believe she can summon you and hold you out for quite some time still.”Aquarius looked thoughtful, staring at the gobsmacked Lucy. “…I’ll go back to the spirit world then. See if the urchin can summon me after all.” She disappeared in the signature gold light of the Zodiac spirits.Layla then pressed Aquarius’ key into Lucy’s hand. “The incantation is this, Lucy. Are you ready for your first contract?” She smiled proudly at her.End FlashbackLucy kicks her legs in the pond water, watching as koi suckled on her toes. [I can’t believe I got Aquarius’ contract so much earlier…well, in suspension until Mama officially passes her key on to me. But…have I really gotten that much stronger or…] She blinked and stood. [The wish…did it just transfer my soul directly to my younger self? Or…] She bit her lip, glancing at the pond again.“Can I…still use it?” Lucy closed her eyes, holding her hands out to the pond, trying to feel the water. She then let out an undignified yelp as the water rose in an explosion and drenched the blonde girl. “…I’ll…take that as a yes…”Lucy touched her collarbone, feeling a fleeting warmth as her magic dies down. “So…I still have Aquarius’ magic…” She wiped away the water from her face as one of the servants hurried over, already with a towel in hand. The blonde smiled as she was ushered away from the pond and back into the manor to dry. [We’re still connected…] She giggled, completely missing the dark look a servant tossed her way as she passed.*****Aquarius grimaced as Lucy once more ran a comb through the mermaid’s hair later that night. “I really don’t see why you’re pestering me for this. Don’t you have other kids to play with?”Lucy paused and looked down. “…they’re scared. They don’t like that I can use magic. And…you can also help me with my Water Magic, right?”Aquarius glanced at her. “You have water magic? Let’s see it then.” She smirked, thinking her future master was pulling her fin.The blonde child bit her lip. “Umm…I can’t really control it that well…” She looked at the bathtub, focusing on the still water.Aquarius gave a “tch” of annoyance. “Get on with it, urchi-“ She blinked as a geyser of water spurt right in her face. “…”Lucy, panicked, waved her arms in front of her, the water sloshing in agitation. “Sorry! I didn’t mean it, Aquarius!” She grimaced as her magic levels dropped lower.Aquarius shook her head and smoothed her hair back. “Tch, so you really can use water magic. You’re low on magic now, urchin, call me tomorrow and we can work things out.”Lucy peeked up at her. “You…mean it?”Aquarius sighed. “Yeah, just get some rest and call me next bath time.” She grimaced at that thought and blinked as two arms wrapped around her.“Thank you, Aquarius-nee.”The mermaid’s jaw dropped, staring down at the head of gold tucked against her stomach. “Y-tch.” She disappeared, hiding her flustered state. [Perhaps…it’s a good thing we made Layla rethink handing our keys off too early…]Lucy smiled, despite falling face first into the water. “We’ll be friends from the start this time, Aquarius…I promise…and I’ll try to save everyone else from their hardships too…” She gently touched the fading mark on her collarbone.Lucy blinked, staring at the small, rectangular box in front of her. She glanced at her parents curiously, since her birthday was normally quite a large affair for the family and staff. “What is it?”Layla smiled at her, looking more drawn and weak than she had that morning nearly six years ago when Lucy woke up in the past. “That’s why you’re supposed to open it, dear.” Jude nodded, looking uncomfortable as Layla continued. “After all, your father helped find it.”Lucy blinked. [No way…it can’t be…] She tore open the shining pink paper and lifted the lid, gaping as gold entered her vision. “I-I don’t…this is…” Her still small hand reached in and lifted out a golden key with a pronged end, Scorpio’s symbol emblazoned on the head of the key. “This is Aquarius’ boyfriend!”Jude facepalmed, twitching mildly before he recovered his composure. “Yes, it took a bit of time to track it down, otherwise it would have been yours last ye-umph!” The businessman blinked as Lucy hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Papa! Thank you so much!”Jude smiled softly and patted her head. “Of course, anything for you, Lucy.”Layla beamed at the sight before coughs racked her body. Jude immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Layla!”“Mama!”Jude makes a gesture to the door. “Go get the physician! She’s having another attack!”The servant bowed and ushered out, going to retrieve the family doctor. Lucy looked on in worry as the doctor came, checking over Layla again and shaking his head. “It’s no use, I’m afraid…I simply cannot discern where the sickness is coming from.”The blonde ten year old looked down, tears threatening to spill over. [I can’t change this…can I? If only there was a spirit that could heal…or if Wendy was here…Mama…]Layla looked over at her daughter weakly, gesturing her over. Jude, seeing Lucy didn’t notice the gesture, guided her to Layla’s bedside. Layla smiled at her only child and cups her cheek. “Don’t cry, Lucy, you’re far too beautiful for such sadness.Lucy chokes on her sob. “Mama…” [Mama…this is the second time I’ll lose you though…]Layla lowly hums a lullaby to try and sooth her. “You’ve already made contracts to my spirits, I think it’s time I hand over the reins to you fully. Especially after seeing you sneak away with Aquarius and Cancer’s keys so often.” She smiled teasingly, getting a soft laugh in return.“You noticed that?”“Of course I did. Cancer does excellent work in being a salon, no?”The two females chuckled over that, Jude unable to tear his eyes away from Layla’s weakening form as he quietly talks with the doctor. He doesn’t miss the exchange of keys from mother to daughter and gripped his chest to try and fight off the pang of heartbreak.“I am sorry, Master Heartfilia, there’s nothing more I can do. We’re lucky she even lasted this long.” The doctor placed his hand on Jude’s shoulder, offering silent comfort.“Thank you, for all you have done.” The patriarch dismissed him, walking back to his family.The doctor nodded and left the room, his hand slightly held out as a small pouch dropped into it before being pocketed. He then made his way out in haste.Lucy wiped away her tears and straightened up. “Alright then, I’ll just contract Scorpio! Watch me, mama!” She grabbed Scorpio’s key and held it in front of her, a look of determination etched firmly in her features. “I call upon thee in the world of the celestial spirits, I beckon you to my side at once. Pass through the Gate! Open, Gate of the Scorpion, Scorpio!”“We are!” Lucy couldn’t hold back the smile at the familiar verbal tick. She waited for the dual-color haired spirit to take notice of her as he looked around. “Huh, not a bad place.” He then flopped into and armchair, using his tail to kick his feet up. “So, you’re the little missy that summoned me?” His black eyes focused on Lucy.Lucy nodded. “I’m Lucy Heartfilia, would you like to make a contract with me?”Scorpio grinned. “You’re the “urchin” my mermaid princess keeps talking about, aren’t ya? Whatta ya got for me, kid?”Lucy grinned as she got a tablet and pencil to take notes. “Well, what days are you available?”Layla smiled as she watched her daughter form the contract on her own this time. “She’s grown so much…promise me you’ll look after her, Jude? Make sure…she always keeps smiling like that.”Jude took his wife’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Of course, Layla…she’s our Lucky Lucy after all…”Layla nodded tiredly, Scorpio dismissing himself once the contract was complete. “That’s good…I’ll just…take a rest then.” She closed her eyes, slipping into slumber.Lucy tentatively approached. “Papa…is Mama sleeping?”Jude sighed as he looked at his daughter. “Just sleeping.”Lucy looked up at him, her chocolate orbs shimmering with unshed tears. “She’s not going to…she’s not gonna make it…is she?”Jude walked around the bed and hugged the child to him. “We have to keep strong…for your mother’s sake.”“Alright…”
USSUSSUSSUSSUSS USSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSAuthor’s Postscript:
SSD: Done, be grateful since I normally don’t do two chapters in one day. I’ll try to pump out a couple more since I don’t have work tomorrow, but no promises.Erza: *smashing Lucy to her breastplate* I am here for you Lucy. Take your time and grieve.Lucy: *struggling* Mrf…’rza….an’t…eathe…SSD: *Sweatdrop* Uhh….anyway, about Lucy getting Scorpio’s key early, can anyone really say that was coming? She may get one or two more earlier than normal also, but yeah…I did a roll off to see who was contracted next. Granted in my head I was hoping for Scorpio anyway…the dice just love me…and certain other things….*glares at couples worksheet* Seriously?! How is this even scientifically possible!? Anyway, see you all next time on Chapter 2: DivergenceLucy: *gasps for air* Wait, divergence? What else are you throwing a wrench in?SSD: Nothing you need to worry about for now. Read and Review please!