CHAPTER ONE
This fanfiction used to be "The Start of Something New", but I rewritten it. In this story, Jiemma and Minerva became good people and Tartaros never happened. Please read and review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
Sting's POV
It was just another hot and boring day at our guild. We do our usual stuff like drink, chat and argue. It's been two years after our lost to Fairy Tail during the Grand Magic Games, and I'm proud to say Sabertooth has changed for the better. We became a guild that could fit into Natsu-san's definition of it. And we are also part of the Fiore Alliance, along with the other participants of Grand Magic Games that year, except for Raven Tail.
I looked around the guild hall to find Rufus and Minerva making out in the bar counter. They have been a couple since one and a half year ago and their relationship is still going strong. But their public display of affection is most of the time disturbing. Why the hell can't they get a room?! In another corner, I can see Orga singing, and it's actually annoying to his audience. The table besides mine is occupied by our guild's exceeds. I can hear Lector lecturing Frosch how great I am, and I'm secretly cheering him up. Yukino is being beautiful as usual- okay, forget what I said if you still want to live. It's true, though. But what I meant to say was Yukino is chatting with our other female members who just joined the guild. I can hear Master Jiemma's complains upstairs for the loads of paperwork cut out for him. Rogue, on the other hand, was sitting across me doing… well, nothing.
I am so fucking bored.
"Hey, Rogue," I called out to him. "Can we go on a job? I'm bored as hell. Or maybe we can visit and annoy my cousin in Magnolia. What do you think? Let's do something entertaining."
"We just got back from a job this morning, Sting. And I won't go to Magnolia with you so you can be entertained. I think Lucy went to go on a job. She does need to pay her rent by the end of the week."
"I can always pay for her, she's family," I responded. "Why did she live in an apartment, anyway? She can always move in with Rufus anytime. I mean, he is her brother, right? She doesn't need to work. Rufus earns more than enough money to suffice both of their needs. She can run to Laxus-san, too. I'm sure he will not let her on a job, and pay the rent himself."
One year ago, we found out that Rufus and Blondie are actually half-siblings. And that they are my cousins, along with Laxus-san. Since then, they had referred to us as Blonde Cousins. Tch. Can't they make a cooler name?
"One, they are not the closest siblings obviously, since they are not members of the same guild," Rogue pointed out. "Two, she doesn't like depending on other's money. Are you forgetting that she once ran away from being a rich man's daughter? Three, I heard Laxus-san and his tribe are out on an S-Class mission and they haven't reported to be back yet. Four-"
"Wait, there's four?!" He just glared at me for cutting him off, and continued talking.
"Four, you do know she can be scary as Erza, right? Don't try to push her, Sting. Five, riding train would be troublesome and we are not asking Lector and Frosch to fly us there because it's three towns far."
I shrugged at him, and stand up. I made my way to Yukino, who was oblivious of the fact that I'm coming. I saw the girls that she was talking to started leaving one by one because of me.
"What's up?" I sneakily asked her when I was right behind her.
"Sting-sama!" she shrieked. "Did you need something? Please don't sneak out on me like that. You almost gave me a heart attack."
"Yes, Yukino," I smirked. "As a matter of fact, I do need something,"
"What is it?"
I faced her and leaned down. I could tell her face was starting to heat up because I'm covering our distance inch by inch. I leaned lower until my lips are near her right ear.
"I need you," I whispered huskily.
"Eh?" she took a step backward with her head down.
I knew she's blushing. She wouldn't look up. I can hear her heart racing and I can also smell her blood that's rising up her face.
"I need you, Yukino. I need you to stop addressing me that way. Sting is fine."
"Oh, okay."
She managed to calm herself down after my teasing and I sat down in the table she was in.
"So, wanna go on a job with me?" I invited her.
"I have to pass," she shook her head. "I'm visiting my sister's grave today. It's her death anniversary. I'm sorry."
"Why don't I accompany you, then?" I offered.
"Are you sure? I'm riding a train and its two towns away from here."
"I'll be alright. You're with me, right?" I smiled at her. "Besides, I still have the pills that my cousin's spirits gave for my motion sickness."
"Okay, if you say so," she responded. "Anyway, can I ask you something, Sting?"
"Sure."
"Don't you think Rogue-sama is acting a little strange?"
"What do you mean?"
"He is not doing anything besides breathing, sitting and sighing."
"That's how Rogue is. What part of it is strange?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Well, normally if he does not have anything to do, he would sit down by the counter and pet Frosch."
"Maybe it's because of the couple making out in there?" I pointed out.
"Since when did he care on what other people do?" it was her turn to raise her eyebrow.
"Why don't we ask him, then?"
"Ugh, Sting? Do you know you're planning to ask ROGUE CHENEY what's going on his mind, right?"
"What's wro- oh, do you have a better idea, then?"
"Let's ask Frosch instead," I nodded at her idea.
"LECTOR, FROSCH, come here!" I yelled at the exceeds and they rush over us immediately.
"What is it, Sting-kun?" my exceed asked, but we turned to Frosch.
"Frosch, do you know what's wrong with Rogue?"
"Fro thinks that nothing's wrong with Rogue except for Rogue doesn't pet Fro anymore. Rogue doesn't even cook for Fro in the morning when Fro thinks grilled fish is the best for breakfast."
"Since when did he start acting like this?" Yukino asked.
"Fro thinks Rogue has been like that since Mama's last visit which was last week."
Yukino and I looked at each other and I smirked. Lucy, huh? I knew it! He likes Blondie.
"Thank you, Frosch. Would you like some fish?" Yukino asked which cause the little exceed's eyes sparkle.
"Can I have some, too?" Lector asked.
"Of course, if Sting and Rogue doesn't mind for you guys to come at my place?"
I nodded at Lector and told them I will be the one to tell Rogue. Yukino said I can pick her later this afternoon. They exited the guild while I made my way to Rogue but Master said he's announcing something.
"Is Dobengal not back yet?" he asked and we answered no.
Master asked Dobengal to deliver some papers at Lamia Scale this morning. Come to think of it, he should have been here an hour ago and he's never late for anything. Did something happen to him? All of a sudden, I feel uneasy. There's something wrong.
Then, someone burst through the door. It was Dobengal, holding a lifeless blond girl.
It was Lucy. WTF!
No One's POV
"Master, Rufus, Miss Lucy is *pant pant* I found her on the forest, she's dying!" Dobengal said.
Rogue rushed to him and took the girl since he was the first one who recovered from shock. For the first time for a long time, he was scared. He was afraid that the girl would lose her life in his arms.
"What are you waiting for, you idiots?! Take her to the infirmary, NOW!" Master Jiemma exclaimed angrily to his guild members. "Minerva, go to Lamia and get the Sky God Slayer to help. Rufus, go get the Sky Sorceress, hurry! Sting, go with Rufus and talk to the fairies' guild master. Orga, go and get Yukino to get help from the other guild's doctor. All of you apply necessary first aid at Lucy! Rogue, you watch over her. Move! Dobengal, come here because I need to talk you."
Everyone went to do what their master had said. Rufus and Sting rushed to Fairy Tail. Minerva went to Lamia Scale. Orga went to get Yukino, and they went to ask for help to the other guilds. Luckily for Sabertooth, they have a member who knew a thing or two about first aid and had her fixed Lucy for the time being. Rogue stayed by her side, not only because of his master's orders, but also because he needed to.
"What the hell happened, Dobengal?!" Jiemma asked his guild member who just arrived.
"I- I don't know. I just found her being carried by her lion spirit who was pretty hurt, too. He asked me to take her here," Dobengal responded. "He said that he will visit later. He needs to recover, too. And he instructed to never let any sort of fire get near her, or she'd freaked."
"Fire?" the guild master asked then ran into the infirmary to confirm his thoughts.
He saw Rogue who just exited of the infirmary.
"Rogue, how is she? Does she have burn marks?"
"She's getting worse and worse if they don't get here soon, Master. And she doesn't only have burn marks, she is practically burned. I don't know why but my hunch is that the fire that burned her is from a phoenix. Even though she's unconscious, she's yelling about something to stop. When the healer tried touching her, she is struggling to break free from the holder unconsciously. Her breathing and her heart beat are not stable. Have you spoken to Dobengal of what happen?" Rogue stated.
"Yes, but unfortunately he doesn't know what happen. He said he bumped to her on the arms of her lion spirit who was also severely injured. He said that the spirit will come and explain later. He just needs to recover. So he took Lucy and ran here. He was also told not to let any kind of fire near the girl."
After a while, Cheria, Wendy, other healers from different guilds and even Porlyusica arrived to heal the blonde. They arrived with Master Macarov and Laxus. The healers kicked everybody out of the infirmary to avoid disturbances. They soon gathered on Jiemma's office with Dobengal, Rufus, Minerva, Orga, Yukino, Sting, Rogue and the crying exceeds.
"Jiemma, what happen to her? She's just supposed to find an ancient book. How could this happen? Who in the world did this?" Macarov said. "Her team would freak out when they hear about this."
"I was against her going on a solo job on the first place," Laxus said.
Yukino was trying hard to be strong as she hugs the crying exceeds. Jiemma told them what he knew, with Dobengal supporting him. They were trying to deduce what happened to Lucy when a light in the room appeared. It was Loke.
"We were on our way to visit Sabertooth when we were attacked by a fake Natsu," the lion said.
"FAKE NATSU?!"
"Hai, I knew he wasn't Natsu because his flames are different."
"How would you know he's not Natsu?" Rogue asked, emotionless as ever.
"One, I know Natsu won't do such thing. Two, the attacker's flame are different from Natsu's. It's true that Natsu's fire can burned everything but it doesn't hurt. I already experienced being hit by Natsu but it won't hurt, sure there's damage but it doesn't hurt. Unlike the attacker's fire, it stings. The pain is just unbearable. And the color of the fire is red, as in blood red."
"Phoenix… Only a phoenix can produce such fire. I'm sure of it," Laxus said.
Then, Cheria, Wendy and Porlyusica entered.
"How is she?" they all asked.
The sky magic users look at each other and sighed. Then they look at the oldest healer. Porlyusica nodded at them, signalling that she will report about Lucy's condition.
"Her wounds and burn marks are healed," they all sighed in relief. "Her physical recovery is certain. She'll be whole again in a week or two."
"There's more than to one person than her physical health," the older woman added. "Basing on her harsh reaction and adrenaline, there's a possibility that she will not recover mentally."
"You mean she caught a trauma?" Orga asked and the healers nodded.
"A bad one," Wendy whispered. "She won't be okay if we don't do something about this."
"What do you mean she won't be okay?!" Rufus asked furiously.
"We noticed irregularities at her trashing around earlier," Cheria answered. "It was as if even her body felt betrayed."
"What happened to her?" Wendy asked. "Who did this to her?"
"It was a fake Natsu," Loke answered. "I know he's not him because of his fire and attitude. Also, my senses may not compare to a dragon slayers but I also can tell that the attacker was not Natsu because he doesn't smell like him."
"That must be it," Cheria concluded. "She was brutally attacked by a familiar face who is her best friend."
"And if we don't do something about this," Porlyusica added. "She can never be with Natsu or any other people who use fire again. Her trauma affected a part of her brain that directs to her reflexes and adrenaline. She will act as if Natsu was the one who hurt her."
"This is so messed up. Natsu will never be able to distant himself to her since they are close," Laxus said. "What do you suggest we do?"
The healers looked at one another and the oldest of them sighed.
"Well, you could always have her deal with it," she said. "Or give her a new life with new memories."
"Wait a minute; she will not distance herself to us, right?" Sting asked. "We're dragon slayers like Natsu-san. Besides Wendy who is a girl, we generally gave off similar feels."
What he said made the slayers flinched, even Orga. They turned to the healers for an answer and they didn't like the reply.
"I don't know, but it is possible."
"Well, I don't know about the others, but I think she'll be fine with Rogue," Loke intervened.
"What do you mean by that?" Orga's questioned made Loke blinked.
Rogue understood what he meant, looked at Loke and shook his head.
'So they still do not know,' Loke thought.
"I think we really need to give her a new life," Rufus said. "I am her brother and I can't help but to be disappointed to myself since I have failed in looking after her. I want her to start a new, and this time, I'll be at her side."
"You're not going to take her from Fairy Tail, are you?" Laxus glared at his cousin. "I won't let it, neither will her team."
"You've done many things for her, don't you think?" Rufus retorted. "It's my turn, Laxus. Besides, I will not restrict her from meeting you guys, you're still her family. I just want her to be at my side so I can look after her. Though I know it's too late, I want to be her brother like how I am supposed to."
Laxus could not argue after that. Macarov sighed as he thought of losing a child. He also wanted to argue against Rufus, but he knew where he's coming from. Rufus did have a right to Lucy in terms of blood relationship.
"I guess I can count on you then to take care of my child?" Macarov asked him and saw him nodded. "As long as you won't keep her from us, I won't have any problems of her leaving the guild. Most specially if it's for her safety. I'll take the responsibility, and explain to the guild myself, especially to Team Natsu."
"Gramps," Laxus whispered.
"So how are we gonna give her a new life?" Minerva asked.
"We'll erase her memories," Wendy said. "And if you really want to have her start a new, give her a different identity as well."
"Can you erase her memories, Rufus-san?" Cheria asked. "You're a memory mage, right?"
"I cannot," he sighed. "My magic can mold, but I can't erase memories of anyone except for myself."
"Can't you make a potion like that, Porlyusica?" Macarov asked.
"I can, but the potion needs an herb from Edolas to work," Porlyusica answered. "All of the animas are close. There's no way we can go there."
"Ruffa," Minerva mumbled, which cause everyone's attention to him.
"That's right! Ruffa can do a spell like that!" Orga said.
"Who is this Ruffa-san, Sting-san?" Wendy asked.
"Ruffa Lohr is our strongest mage but like Gildarts from your guild, she isn't the one to stick in one place for a long time," Sting answered. "If my memory serves me right, it's been 8 years since we last saw her so I don't think Yukino knows about her. She uses a lost magic type memory magic. She can control, erase, and see memories of people, unlike Rufus. And finally, she's Rufus older twin sister which makes her Lucy's sister as well."
"But even though she can do a spell like that, she's nowhere to be found. We can't even contact her," Rogue said.
"You don't need to. I'm already here," said a voice leaning on the office door.
It was a blonde woman, in torn clothes, covered with wounds, burns and bruises. She started walking towards them, but she lost her balance and fell on the floor.
"Are you okay?!" Orga said rushing to her. "Where the hell did you get these wounds and bruises? Wait a minute, why are some parts of your skin is burned?"
"I'm fine, Orga," the woman replied. "These are nothing but scratches. Well, I might as well tell you that I know who did that to your blonde friend."
"Ruffa, she's not just any blonde friend," Rufus said. "She's our sister. Lucille Verdel Heartfilia."
"WHAT?! Shit, this isn't happening," her head was down, tears were coming out off her jade orbs. "Just what mom would say if she found out that I failed to protect her?"
"It's not your fault, no one wanted it to happen," Orga comforted her.
"That's not the point! I let it happen, it's my fault! I should've known he can also burn water ropes!"
"What do you mean?" Laxus asked.
"That phoenix guy you were talking about is related to the job I just finish. He's a hybrid monster slayer from another kingdom. I was sent to capture him, and bring him back to Julia. I already captured him and I was heading to the Magic Council when he escaped by burning the water ropes. His name is Firoz, the phoenix. He had senses like, no, more advance than a dragon slayer. He told me that his purpose to come here is that he wanted to kill the missing heirs of his kingdom so his employer could take over. He can also transform to anyone he likes. He can see your memory, that's why he copied Salamander. And then the reason he attempted to kill Lucy is that he wants her to become a notice to the younger heir."
"Do you know who this heir is?" Jiemma asked.
She looked at them seriously. Like if she's telling them not to be shock.
"It's… The heir is… He is… *mumbled something only the slayers can hear*," she looked down again.
"I didn't quite catch that," Minerva said, not noticing that the slayers flinched.
"And what happen to you?" Rufus asked the five, Jiemma, Minerva, Macarov, Yukino, Porlyusica, Loke, and the exceeds are confuse as well.
"She said it's… the heir is," Sting said as he look down.
"She said the heir is me," they all turned at the one who talked. "Then this happened because of me, huh?"
It was the Shadow dragon slayer, Rogue Cheney.
"But how come you know about this?" Orga asked.
"He told me. He was sent in Fiore by your uncle. You see, in Julia, if there's no corpse, they won't believe you died. Your biological parents, King Rex Vasileía and Queen Regina Vasileía erased you and your brother's memories and left you here for safety. They died a few months ago. The kingdom needs a ruler and they refuse to give the thrown to your uncle because they still hadn't found your bodies. Your brother who is nine years older than you somehow remembered and erased his scent that connects him to the kingdom. Do you understand now why he attacked Lucille? It's because he smelled your biological smell on her."
"Rogue has a brother?! Do you know who?!" Sting yelled.
"Prince Raios Vasileía of Julia or Rogue Cheney, your brother is Prince Gino Vasileía of Julia or Gajeel Redfox. Your dragons knew about this so they decided to change your names."
Silence immediately took over. They were too shocked by the news.
"Uh, so what happen to this Firoz guy?" Orga asked.
"After he attacked Lucy, he let his guard down and I took the opportunity to attack him behind. I got a little help from an independent guild, Crime Sorciere's maternity sense mage," Ruffa answered. "I took him at the Magic Council's HQ. I even told Dranbolt not to hand him to Julia because he's an accomplice to Rogue's uncle, which of course, he granted since I told him about attacking Lucy."
Another silence took over.
"So, how is she?"
They all looked down; shame is visible on their faces. Ruffa, sensing that she will not get a proper reply, read Wendy's memory which caused her to groan in pain.
"Ruffa!" Rufus and Orga said/yelled at the same time.
"Stop pushing yourself!" Orga exclaimed.
Cheria and Wendy rushed into her and began healing her body. But that didn't matter to the older mage, since she saw what her sister's condition is.
"She's that serious?! I'll cast the spell right away!"
"No, I can sense you lost a lot of your magic," Jiemma argued. "You can't even stand straight, Ruffa. We'll wait for your recovery."
"MY RECOVERY?! I LOST MORE THAN HALF OF MY MAGIC AND IT TAKES MORE TIME THAN USUAL FOR IT TO REGENERATE, MASTER! IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK, THAT'S TOO LONG! I CAN'T ENDURE TH"- Ruffa was cut off by a loud scream down stairs, the infirmary.
It was Lucy. They all rushed down into the infirmary and flinch at the scene they saw. It was Lucy struggling out. She was in tears. Screaming in pain and agony but her eyes was close. She was having a nightmare. Then, something wasn't expected happened. Rogue rushed down to her side, and hugged her. He wrapped his arms protectively around her, place her in his lap and buried her face to his chest.
"Wake up, Lucy. It's okay, no one will hurt you," everybody but the guy, the lion spirit, and his exceed was surprise at his gentle tone. "I won't let them, I'm here. Please open your eyes. You don't need to be scared. You're with me, you are safe."
Everyone except Rogue, Loke, and his exceed were still dumbstruck at the scene. Then Frosch made her way to Lucy and Rogue, she sat down on her "mother's" lap.
"Mama, wake up. Fro doesn't feel good when you're like that," Frosch said in her usual cute voice.
Lucy stirred her eyes open and cried on Rogue's chest.
"Shhhhh," hushed Rogue. "You're okay, Lucy. You're with me."
"R-rogue," she sobbed. "R-rogue, Na-Natsu di- how could he? I was thinking of a w-way he can m-make up to L-lisanna. But why did he do that? To think he's my best friend."
"No, Lucy, that wasn't him," Rogue responded. "I'm sorry, this is my fault. I'm sorry for making you go through a scary incident."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked. "He was clearly enjoying the sight of me burning earlier."
"Lucy, Natsu will not do that to you," Rogue answered. "You know him better than that, right? It was an impostor who was coming for me."
Rogue explained what really happened, and he also told her the current situation she was in. The others were wondering what made Rogue honest towards the blonde. He filled her up to the tiniest details and such. It was like as if he can never hide something from her.
"You want to erase my memories?" Lucy clarified. "Is my trauma that bad?"
"Yes, Lucy-san," Wendy answered. "You yourself will not even realize it, but your body will make you keep your distant from Natsu-san, Romeo, or even Macao-san. You will not be able to be comfortable with a fire mage, or anybody who gave off the same feeling as Natsu-san."
Lucy kept silent as she process her thoughts. It must be the reason why the other slayers, including both of her blonde cousins are keeping a distance from her. She doesn't want to continue living on like this. And she was sure that Natsu, Laxus, and Sting will not be able to live that way.
"You'll be with me, Lucy," she saw her brother approach her. "We'll take you away from being a mage for a short time for you to recover. Then we'll go back here at Sabertooth. You will start fresh, but don't worry. You will not be kept from Fairy Tail. We'll change your name, too."
"Huh? To what?" she asked her brother.
"Rufina Verdel Lohr," Lucy heard an unfamiliar voice of a woman.
It was the woman being supported by the lightning god slayer. It was a blonde lady with jade orbs. Lucy thought she looks like Rufus in many ways.
"Who are you?"
The woman smiled at her.
"I am Ruffa Verdel Lohr, Sabertooth's strongest mage. I'm also Rufus' twin. And I will be the one who will remove your memory. I apologize for what had happen to you because of my carelessness. I hope you can forgive me, sister."
Lucy's eyes widened.
"But she will do it once she had recovered," Orga added causing the woman he was holding to glare at him.
"No, I will not wait for my recovery. I will cast the spell once my sister is ready."
"Don't be stubborn, Ruffa. If you cast a big spell right now you'll lose half of your magic."
"Screw my magic, Orga! I don't care if I will be the weakest mage if I had completed the spell as long as my sister no longer suffers! I can still resign as a mage and work here as a barmaid. Please let me do it."
"I'm ready," said a voice, it was Lucy.