Lucy

The other team had the ball first. Natsu, Gray and I stood around the circle; awaiting the whistle from Mira, our very unbias referee. The other team, the ones wearing the away practice jerseys, were filled with the older teammates who had experience but getting a little too old for the game so they're just our subs. They had their era, now it's our turn.

I'm all fired up.

Mira was looking at her watch then her stopwatch, whistle in mouth ready to go when the clock hits the minute. My whole body was quivering with excitement. This isn't even an official match the way it's laid out, one would think it was a real game. I couldn't stop bouncing on my cleats, anticipation clawing my whole body watching Mirajane keep a close eye on her watch. My heartbeat quickened if that were even possible for me right now.

Finally, Mira raised a hand signalling the start of the match.

Macao and Wakaba passed the ball in the midfield circle before passing it back to be retrieved by one of the other experienced players.

"White, move up!" Erza shouted.

Natsu shot out on his side with Gray right beside him. I took up the rear of the two keeping a close eye on the opposing team footwork. Natsu was able to corner one of the players the ball entered; standing a stiff ground watching the player eye to eye. I ran forward a bit just in case Natsu was able to win the ball and needed someone up field to pass to. The player against Natsu was in his late twenties, his eyes darting from place to place before he finally made a move.

The right winger didn't expect a perfect ball through the legs. Well, his fault for being so stiff and leaving his legs wide opened like that. I started running back immediately, chasing behind the midfielder but he passed it off quietly to Macao once again.

Macao took the ball out to the side, stretching our defense wider. Dammit, these guys do have the experience. Erza called the forwards backed immediately just in case Macao is in the mood to pass it back to his midfielders. Just as I passed the line marking the middle of the field, Macao crossed the ball towards Wakaba, who ran down just in time for a volley.

Shouts and screams from the black team filled my eardrums, thinking they have scored. It was a pretty scary volley though. If Elfman saved that, I'd treat him to a weeks worth of chocolate.

"Push up, White!" he shouted. I blinked twice to see in his big arms, the soccer ball Wakaba shot only seconds before.

"Forwards upward!" Erza ordered.

I backtracked on my feet just as our goalie made the punt clear over the many heads of our team and straight to Natsu. He trapped the ball easily since the opposition completely forgot about us. They were too busy thinking they actually scored against our team.

Natsu took the sprint as one of the midfielders dropped back to try and get the ball. I ran a little behind my friend, watching his back almost. When the right center back of the black team came into view, Natsu took a quick glance at me over his shoulder and passed it back. I one-touched the ball back to him and we were passed the defender before he could even blink.

Alright, we're so close to penalty area now. All Natsu had to do was cross and we get the point. I could see Gray not too far behind ready just in case there's a rebound just for him.

"It's all you, Luce!" the right-winger suddenly shouted.

Shoot! Why is he giving me the pass now?! Oh, that's right. He's Salamander the Killer. Literally, his passes can kill anybody.

With a full on sprint, I lost my mark who was too busy with her eyes on Natsu. I looked back once doing some quick calculations as Natsu's right foot collided with the ball. Perfect.

I ran blindlessly towards the goal, completely aware the ball was right above my head. I could see the goalie of the other team watching the ball all the while running up to it. I did what no other striker should do. It did throw the goalie and some of my teammates off but I know what I'm doing. I completely turned my back towards the goal and ran for the ball or the spot where the ball is heading.

The goalie was one me in seconds but I jumped, twisted a few degrees and tapped the ball with the tip of my cleats towards the ground behind us. His body collided with mines, I fell but that didn't hurt. The sweet sound of the ball kissing the net above made my hands shoot upwards. The goalie was on his knees, eyes on the ball laying the goal a foot away. No one said anything as they registered the goal. Mira's whistle had blown the minute the ball went in but I don't think anybody has heard.

Except one person.

The next thing I knew I was off the floor and up high. Looking down, I saw Natsu's smiling face leveled with my waist with a giant smile, "You did it! You caught my pass, Luce! You caught my pass!"

I smiled down at him and pumped a fist upwards, "Goooal!!!!!"

The rest of the white team started cheering themselves, giving one another high fives. Natsu walked me over to the rest of our teammates. The moment he let me down, I was jumped by everybody. Levy squeezed the life out of me while Cana gave my back two big pats. Gray held up his hand for a high five which he pulled me into a hug. Erza gave me a double high five as we made our way back over to our side with, "That was beautiful, Lucy. Absolutely amazing."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Normal

The center back watched in utter disbelief. He had his doubts when his teammates announced she was in town. He voiced his doubts but he wasn't so sure himself. If the new player really was her, he'd be in huge trouble. The defender did hear that some of his high school friends had gotten her to agree to join the team. He decided to be a little late, to get the scoop on her without having to be so close to her.

He moved from the bleachers and headed down to the field where the game was going on. All the while his eyes watching the blonde hair as she successfully and easily got the upper hand of one of the senior players.

"You're here, Loke," Makarov said as the player came up behind his coach. Coach Makarov was keeping a close eye on the game. "So what did you learn from this game?"

"It's her, boss," Loke answered without hesitation. "I recognized that shot anywhere. You do too, don't you?"

"Hmmm," Makarov sighed. "It's too big of a coincidence that Lucy looks exactly like her, but her style of play is the same as well."

"She went missing not too long ago," Loke started, catching Makarov's attention.

"Is that so?"

The defender nodded, "Her father sent me a message two years announcing she ran away. He wanted me to bring her home if she does show up around me."

"Are you going to do that then, boy?" Makarov looked at his player as if challenging him to say the wrong thing.

Loke was watching the new player with total concentration. It is true her father wants her home but Loke never promised to deliver. Besides, he's liked his aunt more than his uncle, even if she's only related through marriage. He respected her to no end. He was there the day she closed her eyes forever and promised her he would always watch out for her daughter no matter what happens.

But he promised much more, he promised he'd make sure her daughter found happiness. This is his duty to the family that disowned him long ago but his aunt always came looking for him, making sure he was happy and living well. She was also the only one who supported his choices of moving out with the one he loved. His aunt... the day he heard she was ill, he broke down as well. When her daughter gave him the call, he broke down. He cried more for her when he couldn't shed a single tear when his own mother died.

"No," he said simply, to the coach.

Makarov seemed pleased with the answer.

"I can't put Lucy through hell again," Loke replied, determination in his voice. "I'd be killed if she ever have to returned to that hell of a house."

Makarov met the players eyes and smiled as Loke continued, "There's no way I'm putting my baby cousin, the only family I have left that still idolizes me after all that I've done, back into that prison where she can only cry her days over."

"Of course we wouldn't let that happen," the older man replied softly. " I promised Layla that I'd help protect her daughter and I'll do just that. I'm afraid the Fairy Tail family is too attached to her, however, especially one in particular."

Loke's eyes widened, his attention the field again when Mira blew the whistle signalling there was yet another goal scored by none other than Lucy. The right winger, Natsu, ran to her and gently tackled her to the ground; both laughing loudly that Loke's ear twitched.

"If anything were to happen to Lucy," Makarov laughed, amused. "I think Natsu would be the first one to destroy Earth to get her back. You might be a step too late."

If Loke agreed, he didn't say anything to validate it.