Lucy

I landed on my back for the eighth time (yes I'm counting). It's true that Natsu's been trying to save me but most the time Gajeel would swing right on pass.

Victor wasn't helping either.

Macao, Gray and Elfman all got themselves yellow cards just for arguing for my falls. Erza and Jellal have been quite calm but the unfairness of the calls and the game was getting too much to handle.

The first half ended with us tailing. Thanks to Elfman's card, Phantom scored another PK as well as a shot from right outside the box. Ending with a 3-1 lead.

The Element 4 were there but they didn't need to do anything. Phantom was already making us feel flustered enough without their greatest having to do anything. They're just wandering the field for show. I was shocked that Cuckoo hut lady, or Juvia, was one of them.

We tried our tactics once more but the defenders figured out our plans. Natsu's strength alone couldn't hold that metal faced captain no matter how much he tried. The first time yes because it was a surprise attack.

In the locker room, the most frustrated players kept their mouths shut. I, on the other hand, was already working with our captain and the officer on a plan of attack.

That's when I got an idea.

"Erza!" I shouted. "I got it!"

They exchanged a look just as I erased the diagram cleaned. Natsu and Gray have just returned from the bathroom just as I shouted.

"What cha got, Luce?" Natsu's elbow rested against my shoulder. I will admit I tried to ignore the electricity of his touch going through my body but I have to remain calm.

Nobody knows about my crush for him. I'm not even sure I have one yet but I will admit, he makes me feel different.

"The defenders as well as the Element 4 hang up here a lot more," I marked several Xs around the upper section of the field. "If we continue shooting long shots, they'll keep pulling up."

Jellal snapped his fingers, "And when the time is right, we score a close range shot."

"Good thinking," Gray patted my shoulder.

"You two," I pointed at him and at the other wingman. "No more picking fights with the refs. Even if the calls are unfair."

"What?" Natsu's dragon like eyes narrowed. "We should just stand idly by while that bastard of a captain rams you to the ground?!"

I shook my head, "The refs are out to get us. I appreciate that you care for me but I'm fine, I promise."

My crush didn't look convince so I flashed him a smile, "Don't worry about me. Worry about just shooting no matter your location."

"Listen to her," Erza warned then to everybody else. "Stay calm and clear your minds of the unfairness."

"It'll be better if we win even with the refs being blind," Natsu said. "I want to see the look on their faces when we win with their damn handicap."

This got Fairy Tail pumped up.

"Then it's settled," Makarov jumped into a bench. "We play, no arguments just accept the calls without question. We win, we'll show Phantom what it means to be the strongest team in Fiore."

Everybody cheered just as the whistle signalling the time for the game to resume. Our teammates started filing out. I got up and placed the clipboard on the bench when an arm grabbed me. I turned to see Natsu's face, the most serious face I've ever seen.

"Wait for the rest of the team to leave," he said.

Erza caught my eyes, I only nodded at her to continue on. She closed her eyes and shut the door after her.

"What is it?" I blinked.

He started opening his mouth than closed it. All the while his arm still on mines.

"You," he started than stopped.

I blinked. I what?

Natsu's hand slid down my whole arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. They didn't stop their descent until his hand wrapped around mines.

I watched him with wide eyes. His own eyes closed.

"W-what is it?" I shuttered.

"I'll make sure Phantom Lord pays," he growled, his eyes suddenly opening. "I'll make sure they pay for ever touching you, hurting you on my watch."

"Natsu..."

"They will pay," the winger growled once more. "I'm all fired up now."

~~~~~~~

Right when we entered the field, Erza met me with a hair tie waiting between her fingers. Natsu walked passed me to greet some of the other players.

"You," she sighed as I started working on my hair. "Have some explaining to do after the game."

All I could do was smile at her.

'And we are back folks with all our -'

'Hold on a minute Jack... the new striker are you able to see the last name on her back?'

'Yes, Kim I can make it out.'

I heard Kim cover the microphone with her hand. Everybody's whispering about the sudden interest in me. Victor called us to the center circle to kick off the ball for the start of the second half. If my plan is going to work, we might be able to get two goals back maybe even a third to win the match.

Erza and I stood facing one another, waiting for the referee to blow the whistle. Placing my hands on my hips, my eyes traveled to the Phantom Lord side of the field. They all looked happy with their performance. Anyone can see they tipped off Victor, it's that obvious. I'm surprise the ref was stupid enough to make it so obvious for everybody to see.

"Let's win this, Fairy Tail!" Natsu suddenly shouted, causing us all to smile. "We're just down two points, let's get 'em back!"

"Alright!" we all shouted.

I met Erza's eyes and she nodded just as Victor blew the whistle. She led the ball off to me. I took it slowly straight towards the midfielders aka the Element 4 stood. It wasn't long until I found myself facing my kidnapper.

"You're not getting pass me, Blondie," she growled.

I smirked, "I'm not trying to."

With most my strength, I kicked the ball up field over Juvia's head. She only watched the ball as it sailed towards the goal. Gajeel had to drop back a bit to try to block it. A flash of pink whipped across the field. Natsu jumped higher, thanks to the speed he had building up from his insane run, and headed the ball dead center straight into the net.

Not exactly my plan but it works.

Victor blew the whistle to signal that it was a goal.

The crowd yelled at the top of their lungs. Natsu turned from the goal and with his head toward the sky, he roared like a dragon would. Intimidating if it were somebody else but it's Natsu. It just made him look cool.

He started running up field, hand raised in the air in a fist. When he was close enough, I tackled his stomach until he was on his back.

"You did it Natsu!" I shouted at him with a smile.

Salamander gave me his warmest eyes, "Yeah, all thanks to your pass, Lucy." The rest of our team started piling themselves on top of me in fits of laughter and congratulating the both of us for a good 1-2 combo goal.

'That's who she is? Are you sure, Kim?'

'I have never been so sure in my life, Jack. She's here, the Celestial Striker has returned to the field with Fairy Tail after almost seventeen years of absence.'

At the mention of my mother's nickname, we stopped cheering. Slowly, everybody stood up from the human pile to look around.

Visible and audible gasps filled the stadium when it was mentioned. Fans of Fairy Tail looked like they didn't believe it and I don't blame them. The last time they did see my mother ever put cleats on and played, I was still just a toddler. My mother did quit so she could spend time raising me.

'The golden hair, the golden cleats, the insane way she scored the first goal. Jack, there's no doubt on who she is.'

'I thought Layla Heartfilia has passed away not too long ago? Why is she on the field again, looking like she's in her teens? She's reincarnated!'

Is this dude serious?

'I have a feeling that this isn't the Heartfilia we are used to seeing, Jack. This Heartfilia is her daughter, Lucy Heartfilia. Who took her mother's nickname but has never entered the field with it before. That's why it's so odd seeing her on the field again.'