'Sarai Williams' newest release: Echo.

Dedicated to my dearest parents who love, and care for me, and raised me with their hearts.
And for Dannico for so many reasons...

Lola Lilith watched in disgust as the man pulled a knife on her, grazing her neck....'

Deleting what she had written Sarai sighed, slamming her head onto her desk. "Why is there no inspiration?" She groaned, glancing at her computer screen.

She had been working for two days straight, with the exception of a couple bags of chips and frozen meals, and she still didn't have a good idea for the story she was entering in the contest.

Was it because tomorrow was the last day to enter and she was under pressure? Most likely.

As she started to write again, her mind went into auto-drive as the few sentences were written.

'The world is such a delicate thing. As one small touch can create a crack bound to destruction.

The sound of boots tapping on the cold metal floor made her head shoot up, as the dangling of keys in her cell door came to her attention. "It's time." The gruff voice was relieving, as she shot up from her hunched over spot of the ground, throwing her arms around the persons neck.

"Oh my god- you have no idea how great it is to see you..." She breathed, pulling away from the boy around her age. "So Sherlock, you got in. But how do we get out?" The boy grinned devilishly, holding up two of the guard uniforms.

"Ready to change Red?" He asked her, quoting her hair. "Speaking of red, did you cut your hair?" He gaped at her sheepish smile.

"What? Do bangs not look good on me? And to think as children we had the same face." She playfully winked, taking the smaller uniform from her brother's hands and walking back into the cell. "Brandon?" She asked, tilting her head as she observed the uniform.

He replied with a hum as he shoved his hands into his pockets and observed the corridors around them as lookout. "Were there even any female guards?" Flinching he turned around, pointing to the uniform in her hands.

"Yeeeaah....don't put that on." He stated. Slapping her forehead, the cuffs that still lingered on her hands from when she broke them off of the wall, clinked, catching her attention.

With a sly grin her onyx eyes flashed up at her brother. "You can still manipulate metal....right?" Catching onto what she was saying, he walked up to her, and grabbed the cuffs on her wrists.

Swiftly, he broke them off, instead, bending the two together making a small dagger. "Now, we have a weapon." '

Huffing she saved the draft, and opened a new tab. Sure she didn't have any inspiration to continue writing it now, but that didn't mean she wouldn't have any inspiration to later.

Any old drafts she could use? Maybe there were some..... Aha!

'The dust that lingered didn't dare fly upwards as she walked in the old attic.
The boxes that were scattered about, their titles and writing faded through time, and the narrow doorway into the next room creaked loudly as she passed through.

It seemed so familiar, like she belonged here, like she had been there before. Her pale fingers traced along the board made walls, collecting dust.

Ghosts still lingered in the sounder web filled mansion, and she was almost one of them oh so long ago.'

"No no no..." She muttered, saving it and opening a new tab once again. Why was the inspiration so far away? The idea and plots were right in front of her, yet she couldn't grasp them long enough to write an actual 3000 word story!!

Maybe something sad would work?

'She screamed...that was all she could do, as they nailed her small white wings to the wall, watching them bleed, out, and for them to stain crimson.

She knew for a fact, that she probably wouldn't live through what they had planned.

Time had passed and the pain subsided from her lack of struggle. But as soon as she began to wonder when they would return, they waltzed in the room, with a very...sharp....crimson coloured blade.

She looked at them, fear overwhelming her whole body, she shuffled against the binds around her wrists and ankles.

She couldn't do anything.....they had cut her wings, and began to rip them from the wall, and in half....

The sound of the ripping skin, and the hot liquid flowing out.....they laughed, when tears spilled down her face, unable to make a noise, due to her throat being raw from all her scream of pain.

One wing gone.

She cried when she heard the loud thump of the red wing fall to the ground. When she glanced at where in used to be on her back, her eyes widened in horror. It was the smallest bit left, and it was pouring out blood. It had gone num for a seres of hours. Until they came back.

Yes they were more gentile with the bloodshed, and she could tell....because they were trying to snap the bone in half...

Why were they doing this to her? She didn't deserve this....just because she is a hybrid, doesn't mean she can be treated like an old rag doll.

She didn't know.....all she did know...was that she wanted to die.....'

"Well, that's sad...but it has slight gore....." She sighed. She was running out of ideas, and fast. Yet she had to come up with one fast, or else, she wouldn't be able to enter the contest.

She had wanted to enter any contest for the longest time, yet never actually did. Brightening up at an idea, she clicked on another tab, and skimmed through her folders.

Would the contest accept fanfictions?

'The day was blurred. In fact the whole week before that day was blurred. I try to remember it. I try to remember why my partner just up and left.

I had been cleaning my apartment- that I hadn't been inside of, for over a year searching for him, just like he had asked- when I came across the very paper that I found that sullen day.

I read it over again, the words bringing my dejected mood all over again.

'Dear Lucy,
You are an extremely dear friend of mine, and I don't think I could've moved forward without you always there by my side. But now I'll have to.
This might hurt you...it hurts me to...but I can't stay with FairyTail and you anymore, it hurts to much to think that I can't protect you all, no matter how hard I try.
Did you know that half of FairyTail had a strange sense like they had 'already passed on' after the Grande Magic Games?
Erza found out later from Jellal and Meredy, that Ultear's body had been found dead, and that she had suffered saver burns<Which only comes from Fire or Lost magic> Apparently, they dug deeper and figured that the most likely possibility, was that she turned back time, resulting in her death.
I even saw you die in front of me Luce, I couldn't bare to see that again.
I'm leaving. And I won't be coming back... Lucy...you can have my scarf...because I can't take it with me... I'm pretty sure you're the only one who knows where me and Happy's house is...so can you clean it like you did that one time?
Happy will most likely cry...comfort him with your best efforts alright?
I'll miss you Luce. I really will. And...I'm sorry.

— Natsu
Ps: Come look for me. I don't care who it is...Just please, come look for me. Don't waste your whole life. Only use at most, a year. I love you and all of FairyTail. Thank you Lucy. Thank you FairyTail. (I know that sounds selfish)

(Im not sure what comes after Ps): You probably didn't know I was smart did you ice-stripper?'

That day, I'm able to remember that I couldn't stop crying when I read that aloud to the guild. I sighed, blinking away tears that had started to reform, as I stood up and walked over to my bookshelf.

Laying the page neatly on the 4th shelf, I stared at all the pictures of him and I. His cherry-blossom hair stood out like a dragon surrounded by humans.

My fingers covered his cheesy grin from where he stood, laughing, in the picture. I missed him. Everyone missed him.

I took a step back. 'I don't need to be thinking about this right now...We've already given up hope of finding him...'

11 years. I've known him for 11 years, although 7 of those years were spent in a deep sleep on Tenrou Island.

Correction.

I knew him for 11 years. Then he left. Without a reason.

I tucked a strand of my blonde hair behind my ear, my hand freezing as it touched the familiar back and white checkered scarf. Looking around my room, i found it as though it only brought bad memories of him.

'I should head to the guild...see who else is back from the search...' I reluctantly headed towards the door, my hand reaching towards the handle, but stopped short when I eyed my pink guild mark.

Why did I get it in the colour of his hair? The exact red and white shade? I once loved that guild mark, just as much as I loved my guild now...but my guild mark...

Without exactly realizing, I was outside in the middle of the street path. 'It's been a year...he wouldn't want me 'still' upset over him leaving...'

I sighed. I need to forget, to move on...

But I can't.

As I walked through the suddenly busy market streets, in the direction of the guild, I saw flashed of pink. 'I forgot about that...'

I remember the first month after he left. I went to the guild everyday, hoping that he'd be there smiling and laughing like he usually did. But he never was. I remember that on my walk to the guild, I'd see some flashes of different shades of pink, and immediately look in that direction, hoping I'd see his onyx eyes. But after a while I stopped looking. Every type of pink was merely, purses, shirts, and sometimes even hair. Just not his hair.

When the crowd passed, I should've been in front of the hustling and bustling, laughter echoing, guild hall. That wasn't what I saw.

The guild was eerily quiet, as if warning me not to enter. I readied my hands beside my keys, picking out Leo and Taurus, before opening the guild doors.

Everyone was here. Everyone was okay. No one was missing, like I feared they all would someday, rather...someone was added.

The blue fur-ball that had left in search of Natsu, claiming that he'd never stop until he was found, was sitting at the bar, slumped against a metal napkin container.

I sighed. 'I guess he gave up too...' Looking around the guild, I could see that everything was normal. Just like it was before Natsu left. But instead of Natsu being the role of Natsu, it was a boy, with light brown hair, and piercing purple eyes.

I didn't bother introduce myself now, wanting to have some of Mira's salads again -seeing that she didn't go with one of the groups- but...said boy had other plans.

As I sat down on a barstool I heard my name. "Lucy Heartfillia?" It was quiet, and soon, all the ruckus in the guild stopped. I resisted to urge to groan in frustration, when turning the stool to face the guild.

The boy from before was crying, purple eyes shaking. I felt a pang of guilt, I didn't know who this boy was but he clearly knew who I was.

"Yes...?" I stated wearily, as the boy started running forward, engulfing me in a hug, his head resting on my stomach. Half the guild returned to their normal antics, but half stared at the two of us.

I wrapped my arms around the crying young boy, shrugging my shoulders when people mouthed questions. "Quinly missed you too Lucy..." I held my breath.

Who was this kid? And who was Quinly? "I..." I can't tell him..crush his spirits... "I missed you too..." I laughed wearily.

When he let go of the hug, he gave me a wide grin. One that reminded me of Natsu's....

I heartlessly laughed. What am I doing? Sure I miss him, but I can't keep doing this... I looked in front of me at the smiling young boy that looked about.... 12 or 13? I'm not sure.

He wore a red vest, with gold lining, and a black t-shirt under it. He wore loose faint gold shorts, and red combat boots? I mentally shrugged, continuing to look over the stranger. He had a gold piercing in his right ear!? Well this is FairyTail after all...of course they'd allow it... Around his purple iris, was a rim of silver, and navy blue. His guild mark was yellow, and was located just under his shoulder.

I wonder what his magic is... At that moment the doors were opened with a loud eerie creek, and in walked in our familiar dragonslayer.

She walked over to Romeo, and I smiled at them. My smile grew when I remembered the deal Mira and I made against Gray, Erza and...Natsu...that they'd get together.

We are so gonna win.

I pat myself on the back for looking on the bright side of things instead of worrying over him again. Speaking of looking on the bright side, I need to tell Levy that I only have a few chapters left until my novel is finished.

"Ne, Lucy?" I was brought out of my mind when I heard the boy call for me. "Do you let still love Natsu-San after what he did?" I froze.

I didn't love him to begin with right? Of course not. He's my partner. My best friend...he was my nakama...that's probably what he meant...If I still loved him as nakama.

"Even though we're angry with him for not giving us a reason...he'll always be part of our family, and we'll always love him." I stated, proud that I came up with such an answer.

The boy snickered, shaking his head. "Oh, I didn't mean that kind of love Lucy...." Before walking off into the guild. My face heated.

'If he wasn't talking about family love...what kind of love 'was' he talking about?'

"Lushee...? How do you know Isaac?" I turned around to hear the soft, yet welcoming voice of one of the blue ball of fluff.

"Oh...is that his name?" I shook my head, setting up my arms for him to rest in. "That's the thing,..he knows me but I don't know him." As I finished, Happy's once sullen face seemed to brighten up a bit, flying into the spot I made for him.

"I'm glad you're back Lushee." I smiled, glad that Happy was still here...although he probably still wishes he went with Natsu...

"I'm glad I'm back too Happ—" Before I could finish, I was terrified by the sudden shriek of excitement.

"Lu-chan!!!" 'So Levy's back too?' I turned around happily, to see Levy running up to me, stopping short so she didn't crush Happy in the hug she was going to give.

"Levy-chan!! It's great to see you again!!" I squealed causing Happy to laugh and fly out of my arms, muttering silly things like 'girl talk'.

"It is!! Oh, there's so much that happened that I need to catch you up on!!" She giggled, at the dance I started to make.

"Yosh! Sleepover at my place? Or yours?" I realized my mistake too late. If we went back to my house...I'd just be reminded...

Dammit... I really need to continue looking for the bright side of things....

Levy seemed to notice my change and smiled brightly in an attempt to cheer me up. "How about at my place in FairyHills?"

I nodded happily, before clapping my hands together, remembering something. "Oh! And Levy guess what!? I only have a couple chapters left until my novel is finished!!"

The short bluenette giggling happily, taking both my hands in hers before jumping up and down. "I can't wait to read it!!"

When we both calmed down, we walked towards the bar, I still needing that salad, and Levy wanting some of Mira's famous chocolate covered hazelnut truffles.

After our orders were placed, we continued to talk while waiting for our food. "Hey, Levy-chan?" I asked, looking down at my guild mark, and running my hand over it in boredom.

"Mmhm?" She hummed for an answer, turning to her friend and away from where she watching FairyTails famous Black Steel.

"Who's that little boy...Isaac? He seemed to know me..." I stated, not sure how else to say it without being rude. Levy merely chuckled.

"He probably knows you because when he first came to the guild all battered beaten and worn, you were the one that brought his happiness back? Jeez, Lu, don't have to act so dense!" I blinked a few times.

"But...I don't know him Levy-chan...I really don't...." I sighed, looking over at said boy. A small hand was placed on my arm.

"Don't you remember? When I asked you why you helping him so much before...you said it was because he reminded you of Natsu...Are you positive you don't remember?"

I turned my head to her, stiffly nodding. "I wonder if something happened while you went searching for the year..." She thought out loud.

When the friendly barmaid came back with our food, I was glad to get rid of the nostalgia of days with my cherry haired friend, and almost immediately started eating.

Levy sighed, popping one of the chocolates in her mouth. "Whatever is going on, we shouldn't worry about it right now, instead catch up with everyone..."

I simple nodded, trying to push away the memories of the grinning idiot while I could.

O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~

Toothbrush and Toothpaste? Check. Hairbrush? Check. Clothes for tomorrow? Check, Pyjamas? Check. Am I forgetting anything....? Scarf.

My hand reached up, and brushed the familiar fabric around me neck. I mentally sighed, zipping my bag shut, before lifting it over my shoulder, and heading out the door, not bothering to look back anymore.

Closing the door behind me, and looking back in front, I was frozen. 'Why did he come back? Is this real? Why did he even leave? Will he stay?'

The pinked head turned around and I was met with his oh-so-famous smile. "Hey, Lucy. Can I still call you Luce?" He chuckled, and I gripped my bag tighter.

"Nat...." I stopped when the familiar shout of the fisherman brought me back to reality. "...stu...." I looked to where he was once standing. 'He was gone'

I shook my head, starting on my way to FairyHills.

~

The Mage groaned as he was kicked -again- in the stomach by the figure over towering him. "Did you really think you could get away with going back to FairyTail?"

The woman cackled, slamming her foot onto his head. She glanced at his hands, which held magic restricting cuffs. "They wouldn't even let you back in when you have no magic to use,"

He narrowed his onyx eyes at her. "Who said I was going back to FairyTail?" He smirked up at her, clearly not effected by her kicks, even after a whole year.

"You spoke to the girl, and that's against our contract Dragneel." She stated, her deep blue eyes appearing almost black if it wasn't for the ring of pink around her iris.

"It wasn't a contract if you threatened me." He stated, onyx eyes mere slits of anger.

"Watch it boy" She snapped, gripping the pole of her scythe tightly. "You're messing with the wrong peopl—"

"Mynx" A droned voice came from the shadows of the alleyway. "I think that's quiet enough." The man stepped from the shadows, the setting sun just able to peek into the unvisited path causing his silver hair to shine as if it were a metal.

The girl visibly stiffened, stepping away from the dragon slayer who now knows them well. "Steel..." Her voice was stiff, as if trying to hold back anger.

The pink headed slayer knew all too well how these people acted, when they came after his many attempts to return to FairyTail. He had seen this all before.

Steel grabbed the two black ponytails over his companion and gently pulled her behind him, as he stepped towards the well known Mage. Mynx glared at his back, hoping it would burn a hole through his cream coloured cloak.

"Salamander." He stated, looking down at the slayer before crouching down next to it. "If you attempt that again..." He picked up a fist full of his pink hair, and lifted his head.

The mages eyes narrowed, internally wondering what he was going to say. Steel's right hand exited the side of his cloak, in it two pictures. One of a blonde beauty, with chocolate brown eyes and a smiling blue cat in her arms. The other of his home and all the people in it.

With one quick movement, both pictures shrivelled into a green dust, that fell between the mans tan fingers. "You loose everything." Natsu gritted his teeth, clearly frustrated but for reasons unknown to the duo.

He was frustrated like you wouldn't believe, and far more than what it looked like. What did they even want from him anyways!?

~

After making it to FairyHills, and meeting up with Levy, we decided to watch some movies first, too -As Levy stated before- 'get into the sleepover mood'.

Just hearing Levy say that after so long brings a smile to my face. I unzipped my bag, looking at my short friend as she turned on the TV that sat in her small living room. I pulled out a pair of light blue, almost teal pyjamas, the edges were outlines in navy blue fabric, for both the top and bottoms.

Closing the bathroom door behind me, I took a quick glance in the mirror, although that quick glance was longer than expected. I examined everything about me. From the top on my scalp, to my waist, where the mirror ended.

I hadn't changed a lot during the year I was gone. My hair has grown a few inches longer, and was now just below the middle of my back. My once light Amber eyes turned to more of a soft, and deep chocolate. My chest hadn't gotten noticeable bigger, but my waist shrunk quite a bit because of those days I forgot to pack extra food from the hotel.

I sighed. Thinking about how long my hair is...I should really cut it. Right under my ears maybe? That seems good...maybe I should ask Levy?

I quickly changed from my blue, peplum, and black jean shorts, into my extremely comfortable pyjamas, and exited the small, white tiled room.

Levy was already crouched down in front of the TV, picking out movies that laid in front of it, while the soft buzz of the reporters voice of the baseball game; Tarsian Trolls versus the Washingter Wings.

I looked at what my friend was wearing. A lime green and grey striped t-shirt, with soft grey almost white jean shorts, and knee high maroon socks. Speaking of socks, I knew I was forgetting something.

'I don't have my slippers her either...' I unzipped my bag and searched through it. I breathed a sigh of relief.

'Thank god...' I sighed in content, pulling out a pair of normal grey socks. 'They aren't the prettiest looking in the world but they'll do.'

I walked back over to Levy. "Hey, Levy-chan? You want me to make some popcorn?" I asked, smiling as said solid-script Mage sorted through the series of different movies.

"Hm? Oh yah! That would be great! Thanks Lu-chan." I nodded in response, but realizing that her back was facing me, I responded verbally.

"No problem." I walked into the kitchen and opened the cupboard that I knew Levy kept all of her spices in, and low and behold, there lie a flat package of popcorn kernels. Taking it out and unwrapping the plastic, I plopped it into the microwave and pressed the popcorn button.

A sinking feeling grew itself in my stomach and chest. It grew and grew until it felt like it was going to bubble over, and I'd burst into tears.

It doesn't feel right. Standing here thinking that everything is okay, and back the way it was before. Nothing will ever be as it was before though. No matter how hard I want it to.

Each pop from the microwave felt like my heartbeat that pounded in my ears. I looked down at my hands, only to see them shaking. Or was it my mind that was shaking?

Nothing will be the same without him. Without his cherry blossom hair. Without his bright onyx eyes. Without his determined mind. Without his heartwarming smile that made me feel like nothing could go wrong.

He's gone. He's gone. He's gone. Why did he leave?

Why?

Why?

The guild won't fight as often. We won't go on missions as often. We won't smile as often. We won't laugh as often. We won't do anything as often as we did before. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

Natsu...I...I...I'm sorry.... I wish I had told you... I wish I had realized sooner...that—

The pounding in my head stopped, the world around me stopped shaking, and my thoughts stopped racing, as the microwave gave 3 high pitched beeps to tell me that the popcorn was done.

I sighed quietly, taking out a bowl from one of Levy's bottom cupboards, and filling it with the buttery treat.

After doing this, I walked over to the couch. It seems Levy had decided to let me choose what to watch, judging by the wide array of movies on the table. "Lu, come sit!" She patted the seat beside her.

Ever since I walked in here, I was surprised at Levy's room didn't look like a library, but I guess we've all changed this past year.'

As the blonde reread the story she shook her head. "No...they probably won't allow fanfictions anyway....." Deleting the tab, she once again, began searching through her folders. Looking for something, anything, that's he could continue and enter.

'The sand under her feet caved slightly under her weight, the grains wedging themselves in between her toes.

The water of the sea in front of her was dark as night itself, as they waves became violent, slamming onto the shore just before touching the tips of her feet.

She turned her fierce green eyes towards the grey clouded sky. The few beams of light that managed to seep through the cracks were blocked, and cut off from the world below.

Only a few more minutes left. Only a few more.

Despite her thoughts, a sudden wave of water grew and slammed down on the shore behind her by a good 12 or so feet.

Though she should've been soaked, the water that should've hit her, evaporated, leaving a cloud of steam. Her ash-grey hands twitched into a fist, as the sound of water only grew.

A newer, larger wave of waters thrashed over the sandy shore, and not long after it descended back into the ocean, all of the water froze in place.

Letting a snarl escape her she watched the water in anticipation. He's here. From the water emerged a boy no older than 17, with almost white, blue tinted skin, and silvery fierce eyes, it seemed he was just as ready to fight as she was.

"Nora Delvinchi of the flame...It's truly a pleasure to meet you." He sneered, nose wrinkled as he gazed at her in disgust.

"Same goes for you Edmond Levan of the wave." Not moving from her original spot, she watched his every move, ready to strike quickly in case of emergency.'

She growled, finally having had enough. "You know what? Fine. I won't enter the contest." Tapping her painting fingers on her desk she gave up the idea of entering. Sure that would've been her chance to get some publicity on her books, but is it really worth being frustrated and overwhelmed?

Standing up from her writing desk, she headed toward the kitchen, finally ready to eat a real meal again.

Even though. She didn't enter this contest...there will always be others.

(Hello people!! As you couldn't probably told, some of the paragraphs Sarai wrote were far better than others. So why don't I explain that?

I was in Sarai's position while writing this, and two of those paragraphs were the ones I tried to write and finish but couldn't (due to lack on inspiration)

So I searched through some of my old folders and found some stories that I thought Sarai might write. And as you can see, put them in the story.

I hope this counts as 3000 words, so I'll be off.

I hope my improvising wasn't confusing to any of you, and I hope I at least get an honerable mention, BUT you never know.

I'm off now! Adios amigos! (This is going to be hell when I reread this. WattPad is lagging like MAD)