Greetings Ladies and Gentleman, I'm not one for really talking or leaving an Author note in my stories but I feel the need to do so since I'm just returning from my hiatus. First off, let me just say, thank you all for Reviewing, Emailing, and PM'ing me while I was on my break.
All your kind words really made me want to come back sooner, and made me want to attempt this story.
Agurra of Darkness, Goldenpiggy, Natsu is Awesome, Earth Dragon Arnighte, Kid A, Sciani, Shigeru610, Lemony Yuri Snicket, BasFUl, Arnighte, On Soaring Wings, animeGeEk2000, Swallowmysoul, Oyaku of Anime, The Manly Man, Theyurireviewer, Jenna the resident Saiyan, ethemeakai, LuckyLucy1257,Keiei, ObeliskX,
I notice all your reviews, and Pm's and I want to thank you for them. It brings me nothing but joy to read your thoughts and know what you think :)
To all my Favorite's and followers to numerous to list up here I thank you too. I notice each and every one and never over look you all :D
To show my thanks I wanted to make a story a little bit different then my other ones. So for this story, it's not going to be a one shot. Its long, longer than any other stories I've written on here. I'll be posting chapters progressively over the next few days for you to enjoy, and yes there will be multiple on Christmas as my gift to you guys.
On the final chapter of this story once its posted I'll be uploading another finished story as well, and with this I hope you enjoy~
"Meeeow! Meeeeeooow!"
Constant cat noises rang out, amongst other sounds as a loud slapping was heard. "You were looking at her again today, why?" A loud snapping noise echoed followed by a shrill whimper. "I know you enjoy this but I expect an answer. Tell me!"
Snap!
Snap!
Snap! "Meeeeeoooow!"
Smirking, a lone woman dressed in black raised her bare foot up before lightly pressing it against another's chest. "I might reward you, you know so why not tell me?" The downed girl whimpered a bit before finally nodding.
"I… I love her… I want her…"
The imposing figure standing over her smiled satirically. "Is that so? A lot happened while you were away it seems. Did you grow up and find a new Mistress?" She chuckled darkly before withdrawing her foot. "I guess I'll just have to make her my pet as well then, after all, I'm the only one who can play with you."
The woman sprawled on the floor looked up at said Mistress shocked, her eyes lighting up with elation before she meowed in approval. "Hehehe, such a good kitty. You'll get your very own pet soon enough, I promise~"
~ Two days later, Fairy Tail Guild Hall ~
Mirajane hummed happily to herself as she ran a wet cloth down the length of the bar cleaning away the stains that had amassed over the day. It was quieter than usual today considering who was still there. With just a couple months away from the next S-Class Mage Promotion Trial, a lot of wizards old and new began taking on a lot more jobs to gather greater attention.
This of course included Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Juvia, Elfman, Cana, Wendy, and of course… As the door to the hall opened up, her mood brightened upon seeing Lisanna walk in triumphantly. "Welcome back Lisanna, I take it your mission went well?"
The younger Strauss smiled happily at her sister as she moved towards the bar. "Hey Mira, my mission was amazing! Everything went down perfectly. They liked me so much they even asked me personally to come back for any missions they have in the future!" Lisanna gushed excitedly.
Mirajane smiled, delighted upon hearing that. "Well I'm proud of you. I'm glad to see you're improving. I bet you'll get selected for S-Class this year for sure." Giggling at her sister's words, both Strauss siblings chatted for a bit before Lisanna finally waved to talk with some of the other guild members still there.
Watching her younger sister chat with the others made her heart flutter. After Lisanna returned from Edolas, she expected her to be a completely different person then she knew three years back. New world aside however, she was completely the same in every way.
Smiling happily, Mirajane began humming to herself as she went back to work. Today was a good day. As her eyes traveled over the Guild hall she had to smile once more. It was rather empty making her job much easier this time of the year. No fights, no spilled messes, no Erza destroying columns out of rage by her guild mate's actions… she kind of missed it. As the doors to the guild opened, Mira spared a glance as she saw a familiar blond enter with a glower in her glare.
'Speaking of messes…' As she watched Lucy walking her way her eyes lingered on Lisanna for but a moment. The younger Strauss's eyes glued themselves to her before she looked away hurriedly. "Hey Mira I'm back from my mission, is Master Makarov here?"
Looking back at her friend she smiled warmly before shaking her head. "Sorry Lucy but he had to go to a guild master's meeting up in Clover Town. I'm standing as the active head while he's away though so I can sign your mission complete.
Nodding, Lucy lifted the request sheet for Mira as she stamped it, officially declaring it complete. Taking the flyer away, Lucy sat back at the bar before yawning tiredly as her head hit the counter. "Rough job?" the blond nodded before resting her chin on her palm.
"Yea it was kind of bad actually. The job itself wasn't hard it started with me just guarding a coach some noble was riding to another town but then it was attacked." Mirajane smiled with amusement. "Well the flyer did say they wanted someone to guard them, isn't that your job?"
Lucy scowled before rolling her eyes. "That wasn't what annoyed me I expected something to happened but when the coach started moving we had to stop constantly for the guy I was protecting. He wouldn't stop complaining, he also kept looking at me really creepily. I could have sworn he tried to feel me up to…" She shuttered before shaking her head.
"I guess you could take that as a compliment?" Mira shrugged before setting a glass down beside her. "That's not the kind of compliments I want," Lucy mumbled lightly before taking the drink from her friend.
"I guess all and all what bothered me was how boring it was. I kind of miss not having Natsu with me, I wish he'd stop going off on his own like that. If he was a candidate for S-Class last year he's sure to be selected again this year."
Smiling at her friends words, her eyes traveled over to Lisanna for a brief moment. "Well if you want to take someone with you, you could always have Lisanna tag along. I know she's been lonely on her own without Juvia to go on missions with."
Lucy blinked in surprise at the mention of her friend's younger sister. "L-Lisanna? I'm not sure about that. We haven't really spoken a lot since I met her, I kind of get the feeling she doesn't like me." Mirajane pouted before leaning closer to the blond.
"That's not true, Lisanna likes everyone she's just shy is all. Trust me when I say that if you spent a little time with her, you'd see her in a much different way." Frowning Lucy met her friend's eyes before sighing. "Alright, next time I see her I'll ask her if she'd like to come with me on a job but… I don't know I still get the feeling something's bothering her. Whenever she sees me, she always acts so cold with me… She never speaks to me and always retreats when I go near her like I'm a plague."
Mirajane smirked before resting her hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Trust me she'll be all over you in no time."
~ Unknown ~
"Everything's in place now my little kitten, by tomorrow she'll be all yours. Do you remember what you need to do?"
A loud purr was heard as the woman cloaked in black stroked her pet. "I know what to do but how will you get her to agree to this?" Smirking, the prone figure just caressed her *kitten* as she hummed. "Just let me take care of everything."
Nodding, she nuzzled her face against her Mistress's lap contently…
~ Fairy Tail Guild Hall ~
Lucy held her hands crossed behind her head as she walked towards her Guild Hall. It had been a couple days since her terrible mission, but she didn't care about that anymore. All she wanted to do now was get a new one, and maybe have Natsu and Happy join her again like they used to.
'Jeez, we're partners for a reason. We can look just as good together at missions as we can alone. Besides, I'm not trying to impress anyone.' Frowning, her thoughts drifted over to what being an S-Class wizard was like.
As she imagined herself fighting monsters and saving whole towns her eyes lit up briefly before her thoughts turned dark along the lines of what fighting said monsters would be like. As she smiled hollowly, she shook her head.
"N-N-No thank you, I'm perfectly fine doing what I'm doing now! Erza and Mira can have those types of missions…" As her thoughts drifted over to the S-Class wizards in question she blushed. 'It would be kind of cool to be held to such high regard as them, though. I wonder if I'd get a cool name too.'
Fantasizing at the thought, her head was up to high in the clouds to notice the figure walking towards her. "Oh hey Luc- AHH" Lucy screamed as she stumbled into someone as they fell to the ground. "Owe, owe, owe! Lucy, you could, at least, watch where you're going."
The blond rubbed her head before looking up. "S-Sorry my bad… Mira?" Lucy blinked in surprise as she saw Mirajane rubbing her backside as she got to her feet. "If you walk into people like that you might get labeled an airhead you know. Some in the guild already call you that because of your hair, no need to give them another reason."
Lucy gritted her teeth, fuming in anger at Mirajane's statement. "Who the hell calls me an airhead?! I've never heard it!" Standing up, Mira patted down her maroon dress before extending a hand to Lucy. "Well, Natsu calls you it all the time, same with Happy. Didn't you know?"
The blonde's eyes widened in shock. "I… I'd expect that from Happy but Natsu said that?" Mira could hear the hurt in her friend's voice. "Oh you know Natsu, he's just like that." Mirajane giggled before helping Lucy up.
Looking down, the blond frowned. 'I know he's childish, but I didn't know he talked about me behind my back.' Clenching her fists, she began stomping towards the guild hall before Mirajane stepped in front of her. "Is everything alright Lucy? You look a little mad?"
The blond frowned before looking down. "I was going to find Natsu and ask him myself why he calls me that…" Mirajane shook her head saddened. "Sorry Lucy but he left on another mission this morning. He said something about not wanting to waste any more time on anyone so he could make S-Class."
For a second time, Lucy's eyes widened as she felt a pang of hurt. 'W-Waste time with someone… I'm the only one who goes on missions with him, though…' Feeling sadness wash over her, Lucy turned around before she began walking away.
"L-Lucy? Where are you going?" The blond remained quiet for a moment before craning her neck. "I… I'm actually not feeling that great… I think I'm just going to go home for the day instead. I'll see you later Mira…"
As Lucy walked home, tears threatening to escape from her eyes she failed to notice the small smile on the elder Strauss's lips…
~ The Next Day, Fairy Tail Guild Hall ~
Lucy gently opened the door to the guild hall before quietly entering. It was early in the morning and only a few faces were there. 'He's not back yet… 'It had only been a day, but Lucy was hurting. She wanted to figure out what was going on with her friend.
Sighing, she moved over to the Request board before looking it over. 'I guess I'll do what I had planned…' Taking a mission would get her mind off things… hopefully. As her eyes scanned the board, she was suddenly startled by a hand on her shoulder.
Eeping, the blond jumped back before her fear died down. "M-M-Mira! Don't startle me like that!" The elder Strauss smiled happily before lifting up a sheet of paper. "Sorry, Lucy I just wanted to make sure you get this. I wanted to give it to you yesterday, but you left to fast. Feeling any better?"
Taking the paper from her friend, Lucy nodded before looking it over. "A request paper?" Mirajane nodded excitedly before pointing to the details. "Take a look, take a look. It's perfect for you!" Lucy read the paper over closely before her eyes shot open.
"Wanted, skilled mage(s) for the long job. Requesting immediate help with guarding a rare treasure currently being transferred to a safe location.
Threats, minimum. Bandits, rogue mages, property damage. Reward, 200,000 jewels and a choice of the proprietors Silver Celestial Spirit Gate Keys (Maximum of three, only to be given to a celestial mage if present at all).
Expected time of employment, 7 to 10 days. Accommodations will be given to the mage(s) along with a bonus of 10,000 jewels per additional mage accompanying.
If the job is completed to its fullest as per the employer's request, a special prize will be given at the very end.
Date of departure: 12, 14, X784
All mages must be present to receive payment before the date present or the reward and job are relinquished to the next applicant. If the mage(s) of employment leave before the contract is met, they relinquish all rights to their reward and bonus's.
Lucy's hand's shuttered as she reread the paper over and over. "T-T-Two… Two hundred thousand jewels! A-And, and celestial gate keys too?!" Lucy's eyes were shining with excitement. Not only was the job extremely worthwhile, it also offered something special to her and her alone… well and other Celestial mages but they were a rare bunch to begin with.
Mirajane nodded happily as she looked over Lucy's shoulder. "I know it's only offering you Silver Celestial Spirit Keys, but I thought you'd be happy to see it. As soon as it came in I snatched it off the wall to save for you."
Lucy's eyes lit up as she looked at Mirajane revered "I… I can't begin to thank you for this Mira! If someone else got to this before you did, I would have missed out on one of the best missions I might ever do!" Lucy squealed with excitement.
"But there's one catch Lucy." The blond stopped jumping excitedly as she looked at her friend confused. "Did I miss something, what's wrong?" Lucy scanned the paper with worry. "I saved that request for you not just because you're my friend. Remember the conversation when you came back from your last mission?"
Lucy blinked once, then twice before it dawned on her. "Wait… you picked this one for me because, because you wanted Lisanna to do it to?" Mirajane smiled as she pointed to the bottom of the paper. "You get a bonus if you bring another mage, Lucy. The rewards a perfect size for two mages and it should be a cake walk for you two."
Lucy frowned at what Mirajane was asking her. "M-Mira… I, I can't thank you enough for this but… I still don't think Lisanna will agree to this." Mirajane scowled as she looked around the guild hall. "I'll tell you what, you just ask her to join you and if she says no, I won't bring it up again."
Lucy frowned once more at what she was asking her to do. 'If I just go up to her and ask she'll probably say no… proving my point she doesn't like me.' Sighing, Lucy nodded. She didn't want to make enemies with guild mates but if Lisanna didn't like her, it was best to get bad blood out of the way. Maybe she could get some insight to why she was being avoided by the younger Strauss at least.
Lucy looked around the empty guild hall before frowning. "Do you know where Lisanna might be? This mission says it ends tomorrow. In order to make it on time, she and I would have to leave within a couple hours."
Mirajane tapped her chin in thought before smiling. "Well, she should be here shortly. I leave about an hour earlier then she does to get things ready for the other members." As if on cue, the doors to the guild hall opened as the familiar white blond walked in with a smile on her face.
'I guess now's a good enough time to ask if I'm going to make this deadline…' Putting a smile on her face, Lucy walked towards Lisanna before standing in front of her. "H-Hey Lisanna, long time no see… I, I wanted to ask you, would you be interested in… In accompanying me on a job? The pays good for us both and, and I'd really enjoy the company." Lucy spoke honestly. She did miss the companionship of someone else with her.
Silence passed for a moment as Lisanna looked at Lucy in surprise. 'Why does this feel so awkward…?' Lucy whined inwardly. Couldn't Lisanna just reject her and be done with it? Why did she have to drag it on an- "Sure I'll go with you, Lucy."
The blond blinked in shock as she tried to process what was just said. "W-W-Wait, y-you'll go, go with me?!" Lisanna corked an eyebrow at her before nodding. "I don't see why not, it sounds like fun. When do we leave?"
The blond just sputtered for a moment before showing her the paper. "U-Uh, w-well we should p-probably leave soon, maybe an hour or so if we want to make the deadline. The missions in a small town west of Hargeon… Are you really ok with this, I, I mean doing this with me?"
Lisanna just looked at Lucy confused. "I don't understand why you're surprised, we're friends aren't we? I'll go pack some things and get ready. Let's meet up at the train station all right Lucy?" The blond just stared at her shocked before nodding quietly.
"Y-Yea… see you there…" Lisanna turned to leave after that before exiting the guild hall, leaving a very confused Lucy in her place. "I told you she'd accept it. Lisanna doesn't hate anyone." Mirajane whispered next to Lucy's ear, causing the mage to jump.
"M-M-Mira I told you not to do that!" Giggling, the elder Strauss grabbed the request sheet from Lucy before pulling a stamp from her dress pocket. "Alright, as acting guild master I approve of this mission," She said happily before signing it off to her.
Handing the paper back, she watched Lucy wordlessly accept it as she looked down at the parchment. "Is everything alright?" After a moment, Lucy looked up before frowning. "I don't know why but… I have a bad feeling about this… I guess it's just jitters but…" Sighing, Lucy shook her head.
"I think I'm just over thinking this… I'll see you later Mira, I need to get ready." Turning to leave she waved goodbye to the platinum blonde before exiting the guild hall. "Too easy." Mirajane smiled viciously before heading over to the bar.
Reaching into her other pocket, she pulled out a small cylinder like Lacrima (one most would commonly associate with a crystal ball) before channeling her magic into it. "Hello, this is Mirajane. I need to cancel my appointment with Sorcerer Weekly for this week. I have a personal family matter to attend to. How long? Oh, I'd say a week. Probably ten days to be safe. Thank you for understanding. Have a nice day."
~ Magnolia Train Station ~
Lucy bit her lip as she looked around. It had been about 10 minutes since she arrived, but Lisanna wasn't there yet. 'I know the train to Hargeon doesn't leave for another 30 minutes but… what if she doesn't show up…?Maybe she changed her mind about me.'
Lucy paced back and forth with worry. She didn't want to be on the younger girl's bad side. 'It still doesn't make any sense… We've barely talked since she came back and she avoids me like I'm viral… does she really think of me as a friend?'
Racking her brain, Lucy growled before shaking her head. 'No she said she'd be here, and she will. I don't know Lisanna that well but I know she wouldn't just lie to my face like this.' After a few more minutes of internally ranting, the blond sighed before moving towards one of the train benches.
Flopping down, she gazed at the train passengers bored, as they boarded and departed. 'Time's almost up…' Tilting her head up, she closed her eyes before sighing. As more minutes passed she was suddenly aware of a shadow looming over her.
Cracking open an eye, she blinked before eeping as she saw Lisanna's face looming over her curiously. "What are you doing?" Jumping up from the bench, Lucy blushed before looking away. "I-I, well I was just waiting for you, and I kind of got… tired."
Hearing a faint giggle from the white blond, she looked back at Lisanna but something was amiss. She had no bags or suitcases, even she, herself, brought along a small pack. "Umm, Lisanna, why do you not have anything with you? This is going to be a week-long mission."
The younger Strauss just smiled nonchalantly. "The request sheet said we'd be accommodated, I didn't feel the need to bring anything after reading that." Lucy looked at Lisanna surprised. 'What happens if they don't give you clothes then?'
Sighing, Lucy shook her head before turning towards the train. "Well alright. I bought the tickets already here's yours." Lucy reached in her pocket before bringing out a small slip for her. Lisanna's eyes widened before she frowned.
"U-Uh, t-thanks… you know you didn't have to do that for me…" Smiling Lucy shrugged. "I don't mind. I didn't want them to be sold out after all. We're cutting this a bit close." Turning back, she failed to notice the faint blush on the younger girl's cheeks.
Following behind Lucy, they both headed to the terminal before boarding together. As the train was just about to leave one last passenger got on, unbeknownst to everyone else… Turning her head back, she smiled faintly as he watched the train departing, a silver lock of her hair gently fluttering in the wind…
~ Outskirts of Hargeon ~
Lucy rested her chin, on her palm as she watched the train slowing down as it reached its destination. It wouldn't be much longer now till they arrived at the port. After that, it would just be a matter of walking to the next town. Too bad the train couldn't take them the full way.
Glancing away from the window, she looked over at Lisanna as her head rested tiredly on their cabin's wall. The trip wasn't that long, but she seemed awfully tired, almost exhausted actually. 'I wonder if her last mission wore her out more than she thought.'
Almost if knowing, Lisanna's eyes started opening before looking at Lucy. "I-I-Is something wrong?" The blond smiled before looking back out their window. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. I was just surprised to see you sleeping. I hope you'll be alright when we start our mission."
Smiling back, Lisanna nodded. "I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night… something kept me up." Lisanna blushed faintly before going quiet. Raising her brow at the girl, Lucy was going to ask her what she meant before the door to their cabin opened.
Lucy looked at the door surprised as she saw a woman dressed in a stewardess dress walk in, a small cart behind her. Looking the woman over, Lucy was puzzled. She had long flowing auburn locks and a slightly freckled face. What was strange though was the fact she gave off a vibe. It was almost like she knew who she was.
"Can we help you?" The stewardess just smiled before taking a tray off the cart behind her and placing it in front of them both. "Pardon the intrusion but you were amongst the last few passengers to board and I didn't get to you both until now. Because you're traveling in first class you both get to receive complimentary food for the remainder of the trip."
Lucy's face went blank in confusion. "F-First class…? I never bought a ticket for that… I didn't even know it existed to be honest." The stewardess just smiled before bowing. "Well, you are in one of our first-class cabins so you must have bought the ticket for it. Either way, enjoy your food and drinks and don't hesitate to call if you'd like anymore."
Bowing the woman turned to leave before shutting the door behind her and carting off to a different room. "That was weird…" Lucy mumbled as she looked at the silver covered tray left in her and Lisanna's cabin.
'I've ridden the train countless times and never received complimentary anything. Is this something new?' It didn't make much sense to her. All she asked for back at the train station was two tickets to Hargeon. 'Did the ticket teller give me the wrong ones?'
As Lucy raked her brain for a moment she turned to Lisanna who had a just as confused expression on her face. "H-Has this happened in the past for you?" Lisanna asked surprised before receiving a no from the blond. "This is the first I'm hearing of it. I wonder if I overpaid for our tickets."
Looking the tray over, Lisanna reached for the lid before pulling it off. As it was removed both girls eyes widened at the fancy food lining the large tray. "W-Whoa, this looks like some kind of fancy restaurant food! What's it doing on a train?!" Lucy stammered.
The portions were generous and the food was cooked to golden perfection. It was even ordered and aligned perfectly as if a work of art. Next to the food sat a small mid-sized bottle with two crystalline glasses cupped in one another.
"Lucy, be honest with me. You didn't buy this did you?" Lisanna asked with worry before receiving another shake from the blonde's head. "I'm not lying. I have no idea why that stewardess brought this…" As both girls stared down at the tray, their confused thoughts were broken by a loud grumbling from their stomachs.
Blushing, both blonds looked at one another before rubbing their heads sheepishly. "I… I guess it wouldn't hurt to have some… it's complimentary after all." Lisanna whispered quietly. Mulling it over Lucy sighed.
"I guess you're right. If this is some kind of mistake it's their fault, not ours for eating it." As both girls began to partake in the food they were pleasantly surprised by the flavor. "Oh wow, t-this is heaven." Lisanna purred surprising Lucy.
'She can purr? She almost sounded like a cat.' Taking a bite herself, her eyes lit up in understanding. "Wow… you weren't lying, this tastes amazing! When did they start serving this kind of food on trains?" As both girls dug in, they were unaware of the smiling face on the other side of the door listening in.
As they ate happily something began to bother Lisanna. 'This… this taste… 'Her eyes began to grow tired. 'I know it…' Looking down at the food she was eating, she stifled a yawn. Darting her eyes to Lucy the same seemed to be with her.
As she ate, her eyes began to flutter closed. Setting her fork down Lisanna stopped eating as she racked her brain. 'Why does this taste… familiar?' Thinking it over for a moment she licked her lips as she savored it for a moment.
Suddenly her eyes shot open in surprise. "M-Mira…" Hearing a thump, she looked at Lucy as her head fell back into the headrest. She was out cold. As her vision began to blur, a small smile made its way to her lips.
'S-So… that's what she was p-planning…'Laying her head against the window she didn't fight the sleep forcing itself upon her. She was tired to begin with after all. As both girls drifted into slumber, the door to their cabin opened back up.
"I'm glad this train had a kitchen. This would have been a pain any other way." The stewardess from before mumbled as her face began to shimmer and change. As her hair, paled into beautiful silver, the freckles on her face began to fade to white, before her skin became flawless again.
Stepping fully into the cabin, Mirajane looked over the food she made before frowning. 'I figured they would have finished it before they fell asleep. So much work, wasted.' Sighing, she moved the tray out of the cabin before stepping back inside.
"Sleep tight my little pets. When you wake you'll be right where you need to be." Mirajane giggled as she sat beside her sister. Looking across at Lucy, she smirked. 'It won't be long now. Not long at all…'
~ Unknown ~
'M-My… my head…' Lucy's eyes clenched in pain as her headache blossomed. As they began to open, the blonde's vision was blurry. Moving around, her whole body wobbling with each action she made. 'W-What, what the hell happened?'
Rubbing her temple to soothe the ache, Lucy looked around before a foreboding feeling washed over her. 'Where am I?' Surrounding her on all sides were dark stone walls. Dirt caked them along with a thick layer of dust on the ever surface. Where ever it was, it hadn't been cleaned in ages.
Feeling the cold touch of stone on her hands, she looked down before noticing it wasn't just the walls. The entire room was made out of stone. 'Is this some kind of cellar?' The room didn't exactly have much in it either.
In fact, the only thing it did have was a dirty mat she assumed was some kind of bed. 'This place almost looks like a dun… dungeon…' Her eyes went wide. Jumping to her feet, she wobbled from her quick action before catching her balance.
As she reached for her keys, a feeling of utter panic washed over her. "M-My keys, where are they!" Patting down every pocket, she felt a terror unlike any other. She was in some kind of dungeon without her Celestial keys and had no idea how she even got here.
"O-O-Ok Lucy, no need t-to panic, just think. You… you were on a train to Hargeon, yea… no Lisanna was there!" The blond panicked now. Where was the younger Strauss sister?! 'D-Did something happen to her too? No! Think positive. I bet she's searching for me now, no better she went back to the guild for help!'
Nodding, Lucy tried to rationalize things to calm herself, but it didn't seem to be working, as fear ran through her. "Damn it what happened, how did I get here?" Stomping her foot angrily, she paced back and forth trying to figure things out.
As she continued to look over the dim room, she noticed a few details she had missed before. 'Wait…' Walking over to one of the plain walls she tried to figure something out. 'There are no windows in here, why is the room lit?'
Tapping on one of the stones, it made a clinking sound. 'I-Is that glass?' Hitting it harder, she gripped her hand in pain. "N-Nope, definitely not glass." Shaking the lingering pain away, she frowned. The stones were somehow illuminating the room enough to see in but not much more than that.
Looking over each wall, her eyes suddenly stopped as she saw a rectangular indent in the shape of a door against the furthest wall from the cot. Walking to it, she did the same as before as she lightly rapped on the door.
As she knocked, however, she let out a light scream as she heard a knock back from the other side. "HELLO?! IS SOMEONE ELSE HERE?" Banging on the door/wall now, Lucy frantically tried to tell whoever it was on the other side she was here but heard no further noises.
"What the hell is going on?!" She finally shrieked. Suddenly she heard a loud click before the shape in the wall moved inwards. Taking a step back, Lucy's breath hitched as she watched the door push inwards before pulling outwards in a strange way.
As it opened it revealed a figure standing against a lighted wall on the other side. "I'm glad to see you awake, you were asleep for a long time Lucy." The figure melodically giggled before stepping into the room.
Taking a step back Lucy's eyes widened upon hearing the voice. 'W-W-Wait… is that...' As the figure walked fully into the room, Lucy gasped before excitement filled her eyes. "Mira! You have no idea how happy I am to see you. I have no idea how I got here, but-"
Lucy suddenly stopped as she saw the sickeningly sweet smile on her friend's lips. "M-Mira, a-are you ok?" The elder Strauss simply continued to smile. "I'm more then ok Lucy, in fact, I'm ecstatic." She chuckled quietly before swaying into the room.
Feeling a sense of confusion and dread washing over her, Lucy took a step back for some reason. "M-Mira?" As the silver blond stood in front of her, she grinned before snapping her fingers. Suddenly the door behind her slammed shut locking them both in.
"M-M-Mira t-the door!" Lucy tried to run around her friend but was suddenly stopped by her hand. "The door won't open Lucy, not by you at least. Only I can open it." Feeling the powerful grip on her wrist, Lucy tried to tug her hand away before feeling the painful grip tighten further.
"W-W-Why would it only open to you, I, I don't understand Mira, what's going on. Can we please just go you're starting to scare me?" She pleaded before she was pulled back by Mirajane. Mirajane's eyes twitched slightly as she gazed down at Lucy like a parent would a child.
"No, no that won't do at all Lucy. I think you need to remain right where you are." As her wrist was released, Lucy stepped back, as she gazed at her friend shocked. "M-M-Mira, what's gotten into you?" Chuckling, she just smirked at Lucy.
"Nothing yet. Maybe I'm just showing you my true colors? I am a demon after all." Lucy just stared at Mirajane perplexed. She knew, her friend had a strange past, but this wasn't the caring and kind Mirajane she knew.
"M-Mira I think we should take a second to-" Before Lucy could continue she suddenly felt a pain in her gut as Mirajane's bare foot came up, kicking her into the dirty cot on the ground. Coughing in pain, Lucy's eyes widened its shock.
"M-M-Mira…?" Giggling to near hysterics, Mirajane walked towards Lucy happily. "Don't call me that name Lucy. Friends call me that… you're not my friend, you're my pet." Lucy recoiled in shock for what seemed the fifth time that day. Pain coursing through her, Lucy tried to desperately comprehend what was happening but she just couldn't.
"M-M-Mira, who-"Lucy suddenly coughed as she felt a choking grip around her neck. In less than a second Mirajane was standing before appearing next to her with her hand clenched tightly around her neck. 'I, I d-didn't even blink?!'
Mirajane scowled at Lucy angrily, her fingers curling tighter. "I said, don't call me that! You are not my friend Lucy, you are my pet!" She hissed angrily before releasing the choking blond. Lucy coughed in pain as she tried to breathe the stale air around her.
Tears now falling from her eyes, the blond looked up pleadingly at her friend. "W-W-Why are you d-doing this…?"Mirajane hummed for a moment before crossing her arms. "All in good time my pet. I promise to answer your questions as time goes on but for now, I want you to really feel the situation you're in."
Confused by her words, Lucy was about to ask her what she meant before a dark magic circle surrounded Mirajane. "Take over, Satan Soul!" As the bright violet light engulfed Mirajane, Lucy's heart dropped as she saw the imposing presence of her take over, towering over her.
"Over the next week, I'm going to find out if you have what it takes to even be my pet," Mirajane said darkly in a much deeper and demonic tone. Lifting up hand up, a small dark orb formed on her index finger. "Soul Repression."
Lucy screamed in pain as the dark orb shot into her. Feeling her body being engulfed in darkness, she cried out in agony before the pain suddenly seized, leaving her panting on the cot. As the dark magic circle around Mirajane vanished, changing her back, she looked down at Lucy with a tedious expression.
'W-What's… happening…' Lucy shuttered as she looked up at Mirajane, tears streaming down her cheeks. "W-W-Why…" She croaked out in pain. Mira simply smiled before kneeling down next to the blond.
"You feel it don't you? That empty hollow feeling? It hurts. It's not physical, but it's a void that just keeps growing. Little by little it will eat at you before you're engulfed entirely." Lucy clutched her chest in pain. Her words rang true.
She felt an empty feeling in her chest. It was like something was eating at her from the inside out. It was horrible. "P-P-Please, s-stop, it!" Mirajane simply smiled before leaning closer towards Lucy's face. Pressing her finger against Lucy's chest the pain suddenly vanished before being replaced with a warm, gentle feeling.
Gasping in relief, Lucy's eyes widened. 'T-T-This feeling… It feels so… good!' Breathing slowly, she basked in the feeling before it suddenly began to vanish. Looking up at Mirajane pleadingly, she whimpered as she saw her hand retracting.
"N-N-No, w-wait, please don't go!" Lucy begged as she felt the hollow pain beginning to return. As Mirajane was about to turn and leave, she suddenly stopped. "Alright, I'll stop the pain." Hope shined in Lucy's eyes for a moment before Mirajane leaned down, her face inching closer to her own.
"Kiss me." Lucy recoiled in shock at her statement much to Mirajane's annoyance. "You lost your chance." Standing back up, Lucy tried to process what was happening before being withdrawn from her thoughts as the door to the room opened.
"W-W-WAIT, MIRA, WAIT PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!" She shrieked before the pain from before came back full force. It was agonizing! Falling backward on the cot, tears fell freely from her cheeks as she clutched her chest once more.
"P-P-Please… d-don't leave me…" Mirajane took one more look at Lucy before shaking her head. "See you soon, my pet." Stepping outside the darkly lit room, the door to her prison suddenly shut leaving Lucy alone, the hollow pain eating away at her more and more.
Curling up on the cot, Lucy cried. Whatever was going on, she just wanted it to end… she'd do anything to make it end…