Chapter 1
Today, Lucy hadn't planned on going to the guild, but when Mirajane said that she was needed at the guild, Lucy had no choice but to go.
"Weird. Wonder what they need me for? Maybe Natsu is trying to burn down the guild again." Lucy wondered aloud. It didn't take too long before she reached her guild. The doors being shut, Lucy easily pushed them wide open.
"Hey everyone! I'm here!" Lucy declared.
Practically everyone in the guild replied by saying 'hey' or 'hello'. Even though all of their greetings sounded mostly cheerful, there was something in the tone of their voices that Lucy just couldn't pick up. She then decided to ignore it and walk over to Mirajane, who was talking to Elfman and Lissana, to ask her what she need.
"Hey Mira." Lucy said, making the bar maid slightly jump.
"O-oh. Lucy, hi." Mira said.
"So, what did you call me for?" Lucy asked.
"The Master...he has something important to talk to you about." Mira said. This time, Lucy could pick up what the other tone in Mirajane's voice was. it was sadness.
"Mira, what's wrong? I mean, the guild seems to be a bit...gloomier today, isn't it?" Lucy said.
"No! It's nothing! The guild is probably just having a bad day is all!" Mira said, waving her hands in front of her while wearing a nervous smile.
Lucy knew something was wrong, but she decided she would talk to the Master about this important thing first then talk with some of her friends to see what's going on. Lucy walked up stairs to the Master's office on the second floor.
"Master?" Lucy said, knocking on the door.
"Come in." Lucy heard. Lucy opened the door to see the Master sitting on his desk.
"You needed to see me?" Lucy said, entering the room and closing the door behind her.
"Ah, Lucy. Yes, please sit down." Master said. Lucy did just that and sat down on a chair in front the desk.
"You see, Lucy, the Magic Council has this mission that you have been selected to do." Master said. After hearing that, Lucy rose from her seat fast to make it fall backwards. That was also the moment she completely forgot about the attitude of the entire guild.
"Are you serious!? A mission from the Magic Council!?" Lucy exclaimed.
"Yes. But, you must go by yourself." Master said.
"By myself? Well, I guess that would help me as training. But, why me?" Lucy asked.
"Don't worry. It was selected for you perfectly based on your skills. And you are to leave for it as soon as possible." Master said, giving her a piece of paper.
Lucy quickly snatched the paper out of his hand and looked it over. The reward was 100,000,000 jewels, so that obviously peeked Lucy's interest. Still, she paid attention that the mention was to kill a demon in a isolated mountain cave.
"Master, do you know why the reward is so high?" Lucy asked.
"...I don't really know. That just shows how much of a problem this demon is." Master replied.
"Alright then, I'll leave right away! I'll see you later Master." Lucy said, rushing out the door.
During the entire time she was talking to him though, Lucy didn't notice that the Master, like everyone one else in the guild, wore a worried and sad expression. Lucy quickly came down stairs and the began to rush towards the door.
"Lucy!" someone called out. That made Lucy skid to a stop right in the doorway. She turned around to see Natsu, Erza, Gray, Wendy, and the exceeds.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Erza asked.
"Guys! My bad, I was in such a hurry I forgot to tell you guys. I got a really special mission from the Council." Lucy said, obviously excited. Due to that excitement, Lucy could barely the worry written on their faces and in their voiced.
"Wow. A personal mission the Council. That's...great, Lucy." Gray said.
"Um, if you guys are worried, don't. It seems like a pretty easy mission and it picked just for me." Lucy said, trying to make them less worried from what she noticed.
"Shouldn't someone go with you? I mean, I know it's just for you, but still." Natsu said.
"Sorry, Master said I have to go by myself. And to leave as soon as possible, so I'll have to talk to you guys later." Lucy said, waving goodbye before jogging out of the door.
"Man. What was up with them? Maybe Mira was right, the entire guild must've been having an off day. Wonder why though? I'll talk to my team once I get back." Lucy said as she headed back to her apartment to pack her things.
The city the mission was near was a two day trip by train, then the long trek up the mountain, so she decided pack a hot pink tank-top and a long sleeved black shirt, with a pair of jean shorts and gray sweat pants. Not to mention some jewels. Lucy was already wearing her combat boots and belt that held her whip and keys, so she only needed to pack some clothes. She then left to head to the train station, but Lucy decided to stop at magic shop that caught her eye.
"Might as well stock up. They may have keys." Lucy said.
She entered the shop and began to search through the shelves until something caught her eye. It was in a box full of rags and clothes, on top of it was a pair of black leather elbow length gloves. The fingers were silver colored, the wrists were wrapped with chains, and there was a circular sapphire gem on the back of each place where the hand was. Something about them just made Lucy have to have them.
"Excuse me, how much for these gloves?" Lucy asked. The store owner looked at her to see what Lucy meant.
"Probably just a hundred jewels. Those were sold to me by some crazy old man who said they can destroy demons." the store owner said.
Hearing that, Lucy automatically bought them. Because of the price and what the store owner said. After that that, once she got to the train station, bought a ticket, and got onto the train, Lucy put on the gloves. She looked at them on her arms at all different angles.
"Destroy demons huh? Not sure about that, but they may come in handy." Lucy said, clenching and unclenching her fists.
Lucy decided to sleep most of the train ride, besides when she had to eat or when she just looked out the window. It felt weird to her to be going on a mission on her own, but Lucy knew it was for the best if she could just get the job done. Before getting off the train once she reached her destination, Lucy changed into her long sleeved shirt and her jean shorts. Even from the train station, Lucy could see the mountain.
"Man. Ignoring how far away it is, that's gonna be some climb. Unless..." Lucy said, pulling out Virgo's key.
"Open, gate of the Maiden: Virgo!" Lucy chanted. A golden magic circle appeared and, in a puff of smoke, Lucy's favorite pink haired maid appeared.
"You called princess?" Virgo said, bowing her head.
"Yeah. Virgo, see the mountain? I need you to take me to the top of that thing. But, just not too fast, ok?" Lucy said nervously, remembering how fast Virgo can run.
"Of course princess." Virgo said.
Picking up Lucy, Virgo took off running. Even if it wasn't Virgo's top speed, it was pretty fast to Lucy, so she tightly held onto Virgo's sleeve and kept her eyes closed with all the wind hitting her face. It took at least ten minutes until Virgo reached the mountain itself, then an extra five minutes for her to get to the top.
"We are here, princess." Virgo said. Lucy, finally able to open her eyes, looked around carefully had Virgo put her down. She stumbled a bit, but Lucy regained her balance.
"Thanks Virgo. You can go back now." Lucy said.
"No punishment, princess?" Virgo said.
"No Virgo." Lucy laughed. With that, Virgo disappeared.
"Good. Now, to find that cave." Lucy said, walking on the trail that still lead a small bit upwards. Luckily, it didn't take long at all until Lucy found the cave. It was actually where the trail was leading. Just from standing out side of it, Lucy could feel an evil presence coming out of it.
"Oh man. Well, no backing out now." Lucy said, pulling on each of her gloves. She pulled out a key.
"Open, gate of the Lion, Loke!" Lucy chanted. In a matter of second, Loke, in his usual tuxedo, appeared.
"Hey Lucy. Been awhile." Loke said.
"Loke, see this cave?" Lucy said, ignoring his usual flirty attitude and focused on the cave. Loke the looked at the cave and got the same feeling Lucy did.
"I need you watch my back, got it?" Lucy said, grabbing her whip.
"No problem." Loke said, making his fist glow.
They both carefully entered the cave. The evil presence seemed to strengthen the deeper they went in, not to mention it got darker. Either good or bad luck, they didn't have to go in too deep before they found what they were looking for. Or rather, it found them, because the first thing that happened was Lucy suddenly felt something grab her ankle and she was slammed into the wall of the cave.
"Lucy!" Loke exclaimed.
"Ow! Crap, what was that!?" Lucy groan, kneeling on the ground. Before either of them could figure it out, they started hearing a mixture of a laughing and hissing noise.
"Ssu-ssu-ssu. Ssso, those foolsss sssent another one to me." someone said. The voice was feminine, but because of the cave's echoes, Lucy and Loke couldn't figure where the voice was coming from.
"Who are you!?" Lucy shouted, looking around her.
"You of all people should know that. You were sssent to kill me after all." the voice said. Following that, Lucy felt something wrap and around her waist and this time she was thrown against the ceiling if the cave.
"Lucy!" Loke exclaimed again, this time catching her. Lucy couched up a little blood and she had a few scratches and bruises now, but other than that she was fine.
"Lucy, are you ok?" Loke asked as he set Lucy down on her feet. Lucy just wiped a little blood off of her bottom lip.
"Yeah, I'm fine. So, you're the demon? Then why don't you come out and face us!?" Lucy said.
"Ssu-ssu-ssu. Even if I did, that wouldn't change anything. Now that you are here..." the voice said.
When she stopped speaking for a moment, Lucy and Loke began hearing the sound of something moving across the ground. The two of them looked around, but it was still too dark to see anything that was far away clearly. But, before either of them could try and worry about finding where the noise coming from, Lucy and Loke suddenly felt something wrap around their waits, pinning them back to back.
"What the!?" Lucy exclaimed, looking down. But, the strange thing is, Lucy didn't see anything.
"Loke, what's happening!? There's nothing there!" Lucy said, trying push off something that she couldn't see.
"I-I don't know!" Loke said.
"Ssu-ssu-ssu. Asss I sssaid, now that you are here, you will die!" the voice said.
(2 days later) *The Fairy Tail guild*
After Lucy left, the started becoming its usual loud self, but it was much quitter than usual. Obviously, everyone had something on their minds. But, those thoughts were interrupted when the guild doors suddenly burst open.
"Someone, please, help!" a familiar voice exclaimed.
When the guild members crowded around the door, what they saw put them all in shock. It was Aries and Virgo, carrying a very, very, injured Lucy. They couldn't see her face, but her clothes were practically just small rags hanging on her body, only her belt, whip, keys, and gloves they've never seen before were intact. There was dried blood all over her, on her arms, legs, face, even her hair. If Virgo hadn't had done a quick patch job, Lucy obviously would have bled to death.
"Oh my god..." Wendy said, holding her hands over her mouth.
"What happened to her!?" Gray shouted.
"Sh-she and Leo were fighting a demon, b-but they they couldn't see it. In the end, Loke had to leave because he was too injured and Lucy had to run, just barely escaping." Aries exclaimed, unshed tears in her eyes.
"We appeared with our own power and bandaged all her major injures. Using the train, we got back as quick as we could." Virgo explained.
"Someone, get her to the infirmary! Wendy, go and wait there to heal her." Erza said.
Wendy quickly nodded her head and ran to the infirmary. Natsu was the one who picked up Lucy and took her to the infirmary. Lucy was definitely unconscious as Natsu carried her. Levy, Gajeel Gray, Erza, the exceeds, and Mira and her siblings were the ones who followed Natsu and Lucy. It took at least half an hour, Lucy was finally cleaned up and as healed as she could be. Her forehead down to her eyes were wrapped in bandages, both arms and both legs were completely bandaged, along with her chest down to her stomach.
"Wendy, will she be ok?" Mirajane asked.
"Well, she lost a lot of blood, so it my be awhile until she wakes up. Not too mention, something is wrong with her eyes, but they should be fine too." Wendy explained.
"Thank goodness." Levy sighed.
"I just can't believe how badly injured she got." Lisanna said. Just as she said that, Lucy began to squirm in the bed she was laying. Everyone in the room watched Lucy as she even began to sit up, just a little bit.
"Lucy, you're awake!" Happy exclaimed.
"Ugh...What? What happened? Wasn't I-...Oh yeah, that's right." Lucy mumbled. She reached up and touched the bandages around her eyes.
"Ah, please don't take those off Lucy! Your eyes seemed to be damaged so they need to heal." Wendy explained.
"Oh, thanks Wendy." Lucy said.
"Lucy...what happened out there?" Natsu asked.
"Well, I summoned Loke right before I went into the cave where the demon was waiting. When we entered, I was suddenly thrown into the wall and the ceiling of the cave. We started hearing the demon talking, the voice was female and it talked with long 's' sounds. The worst part of it was, neither of us could see it. Loke got too injured and had to go to back to the celestial world and I started taking to many hits to even summon a spirit. But, right as it was about finish me off, I felt my hand touch something and the demon suddenly screamed as it threw me out of the cave. And, next thing I knew, I woke up here." Lucy explained.
"So, you just barely survived because of luck?" Gajeel said.
"Basically." Lucy answered.
"It was lucky indeed." Master said. Everyone looked back at the door to Master Makarov standing there.
"Master! I'm glad you're here." Lucy said. Makarov approached Lucy's bed.
"Are you alright Lucy?" Master asked.
"Yes, I am. And don't worry, I haven't given up on the job. I'll just rest up before going again then-" Lucy began to say.
"No! You are not going on that mission again." Master sternly said. Lucy let out a small gasp after hearing the Master raise his voice like that.
"What? Master, what are you saying? I mean, the mission was picked for me and-" Lucy tried persuading him.
"No! Even your team and friends agrees with me, that mission is too much for you and you are forbidden to go on it again!" Master shouted. Lucy stopped talking after hearing that. She just looked in the direction she knew they were in.
"Guys...is he telling the truth?" Lucy asked.
"Well..." Wendy said, picking up Carla in her arms.
"I mean, look at you, Lucy." Gray said.
"You would've been killed if you weren't so lucky." Natsu said.
"So, yes, Lucy. We agree with the Master." Erza said.
"We're...so sorry, Lucy." Mira said.
"A man has to know when to back off." Elfman said.
When Lucy heard what all of her friends said, she couldn't even think about what to say. For a moment she just faced her friends, but then she looked down at her lap and tightly clenched the blanket that was covering her while forcing on a smile.
"Ok, I get it. You guys do know what's best for me after all. I understand, I'll get some rest." Lucy said. Her hands began trembling as she still clenched the blankets tightly.
"Um, guys, I think we should leave Lucy alone for awhile." Levy said. Everyone agreed and left the room. After they did though, it didn't take dragon slayer hearing to hear the sobs coming out of Lucy's room.
"...Master, now what will we do?" Erza asked. Makarov stayed quite for a few moments before answering.
"I'll have a talk with the Council. We aren't sending her out to die again." Master said.