The following text is a fan fiction. I do not own any of the characters or places mentioned, except Jeanne and her family. Flames, comments, and critiques are accepted, but I should warn you, Erza won't be happy if you make me cry. Contains spoilers about the Phantom Lord Arc, or as I call it, Lucy's story. Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.
It took me almost a week to finally return to the guild, because it was only then when I learned Laxus had left for his own work. But that day, I walked to the guild…
...and found it destroyed.
WWW
We were all congregating in the basement, but none of us could find the motivation to work. Instead, we all moped and grumbled about Phantom Lord, the only guild who would dare to vandalize ours. I mean, come on, how petty can they get? Anyway, that's how Erza and her team found us the next afternoon.
Natsu, of course, wanted to go off immediately and whoop their butts, but Master would have none of it. After all, fighting between guilds was forbidden. Never mind that they started it, no one was harmed, it was just "a small case of vandalism." I understood Natsu's anger, though. This guild was like home to him, to many of the members. Even I was furious at the Phantom Jerks, but mostly... I was disappointed.
'What could I have done? Nothing. If I were here when this had happened, I probably would've died. There's got to be more to what I can do than hiding in shadows!'
We spent the rest of the day like that, and when we left, Master suggested we go in groups; safety in numbers, and all that. Macao-san and Wakaba-san were kind enough to walk me most of the way, and when we separated, I concealed myself until I arrived home.
When I reached the apartment Rita and I bought (yes, bought; we pool everything we can into the payments every other month) at South Gate Park, I undid my magic as I opened the door. Rita was waiting for me inside with a huge, bone-crushing, 'reassuring-I'm-still-alive' hug.
"It's okay, Rita-chan, it's fine," I said soothingly, returning the hug. "Phantom Lord will have nothing to gain by attacking us again."
"What did they gain this time?" my terrified sister countered.
I remained silent. What could I say to that?
WWW
The next morning, Rita and I woke up early after a fitful sleep.
"I wanna go with you to the guild," she announced. "I don't have work the next few days, and I'm tired of sitting around worrying for you, while you mope around at your bar. This time I'm at least making sure you leave with a job."
I smiled, and gave her a big hug; I knew how she felt around strangers, especially a large group of them, and really appreciated what she was doing.
When I opened the front door, the sun was just coming up. It seemed like it would be a beautiful day. There were few clouds scattering the sky, painted brilliant pinks and oranges by the rising sun. Birds were singing their morning praises. There was the gentlest, slightest hint of a breeze in the cool air.
And Rita and I were standing on our front porch, frozen in horror.
Pinned to the tree in front of our house with metal bands, battered, bruised, and broken, was the Shadow Gear Team: Levy, Jet, and Droy.
Rita clutched at my arm, her face frozen in a silent scream. I had to do something! I ran to the guild, dragging Rita behind me, only one goal in mind. I had to find the Master, fast!
'Please be there, please be there, please be there!'
When I reached the guild, I slammed open the doors, screaming, "Master! Master!"
He appeared quickly on the landing. "Jeanne-chan, what happened?"
He sounded worried, very worried. Of course he was; I'd never screamed bloody murder for him before. Tears started to pour down my face as the reality of what had happened really sunk in.
"Ils- Ils-," I sobbed, before realizing which language I was speaking, "they're just hanging there! They'd been tortured, et le bâtard vient de les laisser là, suspendus!"
Rita's knees gave way, and she fell to the floor, still clutching my arm. "Oh sacrebleu, oh sacrebleu!" she cried softly.
"Show me," Master Makarov commanded, appearing in front of us in his white coat and holding his staff.
I nodded, and pulled Rita off the floor. "Allez, Marguerite, nous devons nous dépêcher." She blinked at the use of her full name, understanding the severity of the situation. We had to hurry and get them down.
I started running back to the park, Rita stumbling behind me and struggling to keep up. But Master stayed beside me easily with no effort.
"We just opened our door, and they were there, right in front of us, I had to do something, they look so hurt, Phantom's mark was branded on her, they're practically crucified and oh, mes dieux! Ils pourraient être morts!"
Rita gasped in terror, Master sent me a sharp glance, and I shut up, running even faster.
When we reached South Gate Park, there was already a large group of people there. Rita and I stayed at the edge of the grass while Master slowly walked toward the tree where three of his precious members had been left for dead.
"Destroying our pub is one thing," he started quietly, though his voice still carried to us, "but no parent can remain quiet after seeing his children's blood! This means war!"
WWW
We all marched to the large guild in Oak Town with furious determination. Of those who were from the guild, only Lucy and Mira had stayed behind to watch over Team Shadow Gear. But l don't think even they would have stopped Natsu as he ran ahead and blew the doors away.
"We are Fairy Tail!" Master announced to Phantom Lord, and we all charged in.
I pulled out my crossbow, and started shooting magic bolts, feeling immense satisfaction each time someone went down because of me. I watched the Master grow huge and he brought down his hand, crushing many members against the floor.
"You dared to hurt this monster's children! Do not presume to think that human laws will save you!"
"You're wide open!" a voice cried behind me.
Next thing I knew, a blunt object hit me on the side of my head, smashing the leg of my glasses to my skull.
'Well, that's gonna leave a dent in these.'
I turned around, and saw a rather short man wielding a club. I didn't even think. I brought my crossbow up, and shot him in the wrist. He clutched at the wound, dropping his club. I ran up to him and slammed the stock of my crossbow into his face, effectively breaking his nose and knocking him down. Bringing my hand up to my head, I felt the makings of a huge bump.
"Great," I muttered. 'I will not pass out! I refuse to be a burden! I will do my fair share of fighting, and I'll take down as many Phantom Jerks as I can!'
Forcing myself to focus, I backed up to the wall, and started shooting as best as I could. Someone thought they could sneak up on Cana, and I got him in the shoulder, causing him to cry out, alerting her to his presence. Gray was becoming overpowered with seven guys surrounding him, so I started randomly shooting in the general area of their kneecaps. I think I got at least three of them.
Suddenly, an iron pole started coming my way, destroying the wall and colliding with Fairies and Phantoms alike. I couldn't get out of the way in time; it hit me in the side, and sent me flying back into the thick of things. I fell on my face. My vision grew blurrier and my breathing painful. Not good. I looked up at the source of destruction.
It was a man with long, shaggy black hair, and piercings all over his face. He was wearing a long black sleeveless coat and baggy white pants, and right now was battling Elfman. I knew of him; this was Gajeel Redfox, the Iron-Dragon Slayer. This was the man who was responsible for our guild's destruction, the one who had tortured Levy, Jet, and Droy. Pure fury took over. I aimed my crossbow at his face.
"This is for Team Shadow Gear," I muttered, and I squeezed the foregrip, ready for the weapon to siphon my Power.
Nothing happened. Normally, the limbs would bend back as the retention string pulled towards me, and a bolt of concentrated magic power would appear in the deck, ready for the trigger to release it. Unfortunately, the safety was activated.
'Really? Not enough magic power?' I felt like crying. I really was so useless!
"Jeanne!" a voice called out. I looked up. Gray was running towards me. "Are you okay?"
I looked at the hand he held out to me, then I looked around at the battle still happening. Everyone else was still fighting, still had plenty of magic power. Natsu was fighting Gajeel now, while Elfman kept the other Phantoms from sneaking up on our slayer.
"I'll live," I gasped. It really did hurt to breathe. Definitely not good. I took Gray's hand and let him lift me to my feet.
"Thanks, by the way, for the help," he said, sending an Ice Lance behind me.
"De rien." 'That's why I'm here; background noise and barely helpful support.'
I was not going to be left behind! I stood straight, clutching my left side, and swinging my crossbow. Even if it couldn't fire anymore, I could still use it as a weapon!
"Oi, Jeanne!" Gray cried, sending a worried glance at my bow. "Are you out of magic power?"
"Not completely, just not enough to fire this. But I can still fight close range!" I was holding it by the deck, and I smashed the stock against the back of a Phantom Jerk's head. Each arm movement made it harder to breathe, but I've held my breath before.
...This was very different, but I was going to think of it that way, anyway.
"Jeanne, you're seriously hurt, maybe you should hide until we're-"
I brought fiery eyes of anger to his face. "I am still a Fairy Tail mage!" I interrupted furiously. "Are you asking me to stand at the side lines while my nakama are fighting? I will not stand behind others who are willing to give their lives for people they love! I am not as cowardly as that!" Merde, tears were spilling out of my eyes. I was not that weak! I refused to be! Venting my anger, I kicked a guy between the legs and brought my crossbow to his jaw.
Gray seemed to be shocked. Like he was remembering something he'd rather not.
'Wait… Oh, imbécile! That's what he did with his mentor. He doesn't need to be reminded of that! Bon travail, baka!'
Gray shook himself out of his past and sent a smirk my way. "Sorry, Jeanne. Yeah, you fight it out to your heart's content. Let's give these assholes what's coming to them!" And he went off, shooting Ice Magic at multiple enemies.
Yes, I was still a member of Fairy Tail, and proud of it. I was going to get through this, and celebrate with the rest of my nakama with Fairy Tail-style party afterwards.
"Conceal Magic: Flash!" I disappeared with a blinding flash, and started attacking enemies from behind, invisible. Not cowardly; resourceful.
Suddenly, something fell from the rafters, creating a crater in the stone floor. The fighting paused for a moment as the object was studied.
"Master!" Erza cried.
'Master? What? But there was no magical presence there! What happened to him?'
"Hear that?"
"Their master is defeated! We can beat 'em!"
"Get 'em!"
The members of Phantom Lord seemed to gain strength at seeing our fallen Master, and started attacking with new gusto.
"Retreat!" came the cry. "Return to the guild!"
We all looked at the owner of the voice. Many others protested.
"Erza? What are you saying?"
"We can still fight!"
But Erza was firm. "No, not without the Master! Retreat, that's an order!"
Many of us started to run. I was about to, as well, but I took one jarring step, and immediately regretted it. The jolt of pain that passed through my chest caused me to stop and struggle to take a breath. As I stood there gasping, I saw Natsu turn to Gajeel, who was still hanging in the rafters, with an anxious look on his face.
"What?" he cried in disbelief.
"Natsu, what's wrong?" Happy asked, concerned.
Natsu's face contorted into something terrifying. He was furious. "Gajeel!" he roared up to the rafters.
"Let's settle this some other time, Salamander!" the iron slayer taunted. And he disappeared, along with the large man behind him.
"Lucy's been captured!" Natsu growled, practically radiating fury.
'What?' I thought. 'Why in Earthland would they want to capture Lucy, of all people? From an outsider's perspective, Mira is a much better target. She used to be a better fighter, she would appear to have more value to the guild, since she has been there for years. Lucy has only been in Fairy Tail for… not even a year! She's a rookie nobody, unless you counted…'
Suddenly, it clicked. The heir to the Heartfilia Konzern. They must have found out who she was! That was their goal all along: provoking us, drawing us out, and in the end either bringing Lucy here to them, or leaving her unprotected in Magnolia. Either way, they'd get her. Question was, why? Were they hired by some thugs who wish to blackmail her father? Or were they the thugs?
A wave of dizziness suddenly overcame me, and I reappeared; I was completely out of magical power. I was about to collapse when someone caught me.
"Jeanne, get a hold of yourself!"
"Loke," I gasped, recognizing the voice. "Lucy's been captured."
"What?" Loke sounded shocked, and I felt his heartbeat race.
'Now why the hell did I say that? To him, of all people?! Merde, Jeanne, is this another day where you say the wrong things to everyone?'
"Why tell me this?" he muttered. "It looks like Natsu'll take care of it."
I looked around. Natsu had grabbed a Phantom Jerk and was dragging him out the door, his face promising the worst of tortures.
"Thought you'd want to know," I muttered. "Considering who you are…"
I barely registered his shocked face before I blacked out.