Hey guys! Music Dragon here! I just wanted to say thank you so much to all of you guys who have favorite, followed, and reviewed. I really appreciate it, I can't believe that so many people like it and it has only been one chapter! So thank you, thank you, thank you! And let's get into the story!
Lucy P.O.V.
Seven years later...
I gasped awake from a loud bang from my door. I let out a breath of relieve, 'It was just another dream' I coaxed myself. It has been seven years since the virus started, seven years I've been alone, seven years since I lost them. The knocks from my apartment door grew louder, and I began it get irritated.
I let out a sigh, as I pulled the red blanket off my small body, and my skin felt the chill of the morning air. "I'm coming!" I yelled to the door, I am not a morning person. I unlatched the multiple locks on my fragile door, and swung it open, opening it to that inevitable golden hair and gorgeous looks. Loke. Though, my irritation subsided as I saw a blood stained gash on his right cheek, that ran up his chiseled jaw to high cheek bones.
I shook my head in disappointment, and let out an exaggerated chuckle. "Get your self into more trouble play-boy?" I teased to lighten up the mood, and widened the door frame to gesture him inside. He too chuckled as he walked in, and stride toward my small wooden table and sat on the matching chair beside it.
"Na Princess" He aired out sarcastically, "A couple of punks jumped me when I was walking down the ally way."I smiled and took a clean towel and dabbed a blob of alcohol on it, and took Loke's chin and, playfully but harshly, turned it to face the gash. "Hey!" He said in surprise, but I continued to examine his wound and lightly dabbed the cloth gently on his exposed cheek. He hissed at the stinging pain of the alcohol, and quickly, but politely swatted my hand away and looked me in the eyes. "I'm fine" His eyes stern but thankful.I 'tsked' at his answer, but obeyed his orders.
Loke is such a play-boy, but I must admit he is quite the looker. His golden blond hair, that had a perfect mix of orange, always reminding me of sunsets, my favorite time of day. His very well built body that become quite muscular over the years, not to mention his features on his face. He had a framed jawline, eyes that were not just brown but had a mixture of blue, grey and black making them absolutely enchanting.
Loke has been my best friend, like a little brother, after I was separated from Jellal and Wendy, I was some how able to get to the next check point. Loke found me, and we have been partners ever since, he took care of me, no, we took care of each other. Loke too lost his friend and both his parents due to this damn virus.
"But it makes me feel honored that the Princess finally cares about be" He teased. "You know I hate being called 'Princess'" I scolded and rolled my eyes. "Well you do look cute when you're flustered" He flirted back and shot me a cheeky grin.I leaned on the edged of the kitchen counter, or what's left of it, and gave Loke a interrogating glare. "Why were you going down the allies. You know we never go there unless we need to"
The allies are where a bunch of gangs, drug lords, and so called 'rebels' are. They set their territory there, and they give people jobs in exchange of ration cards. Though I can't blame Loke for taking a job. It's hard to get ration cards at this time of the year, even if it's summer, they limit them so that people won't hoard the cards for winter when there it a limited supply of food.
"I can't help myself Princess" Loke said with a shrug, "I wanted the guns and ration cards that Ivan promised me for going on that job. And all I got from his men were these ration cards." A frown was placed on his face, as his nose shriveled up and he hunched his shoulders forward.
Though he shoved his hand into his pocket, and he pulled out a hand full of ration cards and placed them on the table. "That should last us a couple of months" Loke said letting out a quiet sigh. "We need those guns though"
"But I know that the men who attacked me were sent by Ivan" Loke said with a devilish look in his eyes "And I know where he's hiding"
"And what are you going to do then" sarcastically asking though I knew his answer. "Well, we have two choices here."Loke said suggestively "We can, I don't know, ran sack the allies, take Ivan's guns and come back here. Or I have a friend who got the guns from Ivan who said she will trade the guns for a valuable favor."
"Neither"I blatantly replied and smiled at Loke's surprised expression. "I would rather stop doing the jobs. Remember what we did before, I'm not proud of it. And I will never do it again" I snapped seriously, as the shivers from my near memories flashed in my mind. Sure I'm young, but the things I've done was to survive. But that's not the best excuse, and that's why I don't want to do jobs any more.
"Okay, before jumping to conclusions, how about we check out what my friend has to offer, and if you don't want to do it we won't. Just remember I'm here to protect you, and we need those guns. You know more and more people are turning, and we need to be ready to leave any second." Loke stood up rubbing my arms up and down. Just like how he did.
"Fine" I answered, pushing off his arms. Loke gave me a smile and I turned to my bed room to get ready. My bed room consists of an old spring loaded mattress (with a fleece red blanket), a closet that holds the few clothes I have, and a book shelf I've been dreaming to fill with books.
Walking over to my closet to choose what to wear, I glanced to my picture frame that lay on the top of my book shelf. It was the photo of Jellal, Wendy and I back when the virus never existed. Some times I forgot was that was like, other times I wish I could go back. I've never stopped trying to find them, but some where in me knew that they were gone for good.
Letting out a deep sigh, I continued to look for something to wear. I decided to wear my deep blue and black flannel, and my trusty jeans. Quickly, I slipped them on and walked outside of my room, and there Loke was, looking through my drawers seeing what he could find.
"Hey! Are we going to go? Or are you going to see what you can find?" I scolded irritated. "Sorry Princess, you know I like snooping around" He said innocently and shrugged.
"Sure Cat let's go" I said with a wave of my hand. He reluctantly moved away from the counter and opened the door.
I caught a glance of myself in my reflection in my window. My face has changed so much, I almost forgot what I used to look like. My usual mid-length hair has now been tied up in a high pony tail, and bridged with grease and dirt, causing it to be rough and darker, and my hair has grown to touch the lower of my back even tied back. The places that used to be squished with a little bit of fat or my imperfections, has now been replaced with muscle or bone.
I had lost so much weight, and my face and eyes had lost its glow of hope and happiness that have been replaced with an ice cold look that no one could penetrate ( except Loke ).
I will be turning twenty- one, twenty-two? I lost track. However I turned away from the window and quickly grabbed my trusty pistol that lay in my desk in the 'secret compartment' and followed Loke out the door.
This is who I am now, the world turned me into this and the old Lucy... Well I know she's in there some where, but I'm not counting that she will help me now.
Loke and I walked to the bottom floor of the apartment building, old, run down, but it's home. We walked out side to the usually morning guards that loitered around making sure every thing was in place.
The streets were gray, with every corner garbage pilling high. Every building you could see was broken, missing windows, old with burn marks, rusting slowly and dying away. I must say it's still quite beautiful, even if it's rundown there are signs of vegetation. Trees and patches of grass that rise out of the cracks on the concrete road, and moss that was eating away bricks, wood, and abandoned cars.
"Now tell me Loke" I said breaking the silence. "Who is this guy and what does he want us to do?" I questioned. "Well Princess, he's an old friend I met a while back. And guess what, he is with the Fireflies"
The Fireflies are a group of people who try to oppose the government, they think are tyrants, and they want to bring back balance and control of the country by finding a cure to prove to the people that they are worthy of leading us. I must admit that I wanted to become a firefly once but the government are the people who keep me some what filled and give me a home.
I've been living peacefully, but I'm not proud of it, I know I don't deserve it after the things I've done in my past. That's why every now and then I smuggle a firefly of two around my secret passage that only Loke and I know about, so I'm guessing that's the job.
"Well aren't you best friends with those guys, where do we meet them?" I asked as we approached a building that Loke led us to. The building held the secret passage that Loke and I used to get around the border unnoticed, however, every now and then a few runners happen to crawl around there.
"Well the more people you know, the more information you get" He said smiling smuggle at me, as we walked into the building and down the corridor. There were people sitting around here or there, drinking away their sorrows, the occasional perv, or the people who just carried on with their day.
We walked up the the usual apartment, labeled 658. Loke knocked two sharp knocks on the door with the back of his knuckles, his palm turned outward. The door opened and there was our good friend Virgo, who took care of the apartment and kept our passage hidden and safe.
"Princess, Big brother! What a pleasant surprise, please come in." She said as she gestured us inside.
"Loke, you never said we have to cross the border!" I snapped angrily at him. "Well it's not too far" he answered with a shrug.
"Good to see you Virgo, sorry, we need to use the passage." I said apologetically, though she waved her hands in front of her face "No problem at all Princess, I see you and Big brother have another job to go on?"
"Yes, yes we do" I shot a glare at him.
"Well let's get to it!" Loke walked over to the book shelf, and pushed it away, and there lay a hole, not too big or noticeable, just enough for one of us to fit at a time. "Ladies first" He said gesturing to the hole, deep and cold. I rolled my eyes, nodded thankfully to Virgo, and jumped into the hole.
It was about a two foot drop, I landed some what gracefully on my feet, and moved over so that Loke wouldn't fall onto me. I heard Loke jump from behind me, "Let's go" He exclaimed, excited. However, I heard that sickening, inevitable sound that instantly turns your instincts on.
I grabbed Loke's arm and pulled him back, and placed my hand on his mouth. He was about to say something, but I put one finger on my lips and listened, as did he.
Click, click, click.
It was a clicker, it let out loud ridged breaths, and screaming heavy screeches and moans. "Sh*t" Loke cursed under his breath as I removed my hand that was clamped over his mouth. I let my hands down and crept towards the nearest wall, and listened. Loke followed my lead and began to take out his gun from his pocket, but I stopped him by laying a hand down on his gun.
He looked at me with a confused expression, but I nodded and he understood. The clicker continued to let out loud clicks and yelps, it was close by, however the passage was almost pitch black unless I turned on my flash light, but I can't risk getting caught by one of those things.
So I dangerously crept behind it slowly, carefully, and stealthy. Taking out the knife from my back pocket, my eyes began to adjust to the lighting and the clicker was up ahead, close enough to grab. So I took a deep steady breath, and jumped for an attack.
The clicker thrashed at my grip and screamed in surprise, but I kept my grip strong around its neck. I raised my knife and jabbed its head, as it made a cry in defeat and fell limp in my arms. Dropping the body and placing my knife back in place, I breathed out a sigh of relieve. I took a look at my surroundings to see if there were any more infected around, but I heard nothing.
"You can come out now" I called to Loke, and he emerged from his hiding spot, and gave me an approved smirk. "Nice job Princess" I nodded and gave the best smile that I could. My hands were shaking slightly, so I moved them away so that Loke wouldn't see.
There are about four stages to the infection, to enter the first stage, one has to either inhales spores. A pollen looking substance that floats through the air, and started this whole pandemic. Or to get bitten by another infected one, causing the host to turn insane and hostile to others. Soon after the Virus has spread to one's brain, the infection alter's their brain and giving it only one mission. To eat, and spread the spores to others.
In the with in the first stage of turning, the person turns into what we call a Runner. Runners are the first and weakest stage of the infection, the fungus pin points its self on the host's eyes, however runners still have fairy good eye sight in the light, but not in the dark. Runners are hostile and aggressive usually only if they are attacked first, and still have most of their human senses.
Not long after the Virus spreads though one's brain, the infected starts to evolve and turns into a Stalker. This is the second stage of infection, Stalkers show signs of fungus growth, that have now started to bulge out of their head. They still have slight eye sight, but starts to use echolocation by letting out slight croaks and moans. Stalkers are not as common, and can hide and sneak-up on their prey, hence the name Stalker.
The third stage is after a couple of years being infected, and the fungus has totally grown all over the infected's face and areas in their bodies. In this stage, the infected has enhanced strength but no longer has their sight. They are called Clickers, because since they no longer have their eye sight, they use what is called echolocation, similar to a bat, to find their prey. They send out loud clicks, so if you ever hear one, you better hide.
The final stage of infection is when the infection starts to spiral out of control. This stage is the rarest stage of infection, and we call them Bloaters. The fungus has grown all over their body, causing a protective shield, and are almost un-penetrable. Bloaters are extremely aggressive and will attack in sight ( Not really cause they can't see ), they absorb spores and attack by throwing clouds of spores at the enemy. They are very slow, but deadly, you should never encounter them for your chances of survival may be slim.
( Sorry for the long explanation, but I though it would make more sense to people who haven't played the game or watched the run through's )
"Let's go" I said cold-heartedly, as I turned around and searched for the nearest lamp that we keep around the passage ways. I jolted at the sudden motion when Loke placed his hand onto my shoulder, and nudged me to turn around. First I grabbed the oil lamp that I finally found, turned it on, then turned towards him. I stood still, my eyes looking around South of his eyes.
"Hey, look at me" Loke lifted up my chin with his fingers, causing my to look him in the eyes. "I'm sorry I dragged you out here. I know with what happened and everything, I don't want you to experience that again, if you don't want to continue I totally understand. We can just go back, and I will find another way to get those guns."
I shook my head "No" I replied, I know we really need those guns, and I know that I need to be strong. I will not let my past experiences be a burden anymore. I gave Loke a reassuring smile "I'll be fine, let's just get this job over with and go home"
"Okay" Loke answered, pulling me into a warm embrace and I stood there for a moment, remembering how Jellal did the exact same thing to me. So I backed away out of comfortableness and my own insecurities.
I gratefully nodded and we continued down the corridor, there lay our supplies that we would need for our mission. All our things lay untouched, but clean in their usual spot on the table that had a small battery powered lamp off to the side. Virgo must have clean them a while ago, we haven't gone on a job in forever, but not long enough to find a Clicker down here, we better keep our ears open.
Loke walked over to his own bag, and rummaged around for his gun to check his ammo. "Not much bullets left" He said with a sigh, "Well make every bullet count" I shot back playfully. He smirked at me and continued to fill his bag with supplies.
I took my brown hunting bag in my hands and inspected the contents. Everything was where it usually is, so I grabbed an extra pack of bullets and a knife, and slung my bag over my shoulder nice and snug. "Ready?" I questioned, turning to Loke, and he nodded in response.
I turned on the flash light, that was strapped onto my pack, to guide us down the dark hall way. The corridor is not very long or far, but sometimes runners seem to be able to sneak into the exit and roam around here to look for food.
We quietly crept our way through, jumping over the occasional broken book shelves, or about anything that brakes or falls around here. I've memorized the path to get around the basement building, that our secret path leads us around, but due to the building almost falling to dust, it has been quite hard to get your way around and not forget to 'take a right here, or jump down here'. But thankfully we made it out quietly, and no runners in sight. I'm guessing that it's too cold in this building for them.
Loke and I emerged from the a small crouch space, that marked the end of the tunnel, I stepped out first and stretched my cramped arms out, and breathed in a load of fresh air and let the morning sun light breach my skin. "Ah fresh air" I sighed in relive, Loke too took in a deep breath "You could say that again"
I haven't been out in the outskirts of town in ages! It was almost refreshing to be able to get away from all the ruckus in the town. This place was totally abandoned, and many brick buildings stood side by side, leaving allies and leeway in between. However our nice stay, turned into an alarming welcome. A few gun shots arose, "Help!" a man with a panicked voice cried. Loke and I then sprung into action, and ran to the direction of the gunshots.
We ran between buildings to make sure we weren't seen, or looked as a threat, and for safety I took out my gun, gripped it with two hands at my side.
I caught glimpse of the people running away, one had raven black, slick hair. And the other had Pink hair?!
I could see that the man with black hair was injured, one hand was putting pressure on a wound on his torso and the other around the man with the pink hair. The pink haired boy was desperately trying to fend off the attackers, but I could see that the man around his shoulder was keeping him down.
"What do we do!" I whisper, shouted at Loke. "We can't just leave them to die!" Loke stood frozen with his eyes wide, 'what the hell is wrong with him?!' I shouted in my thoughts, but I knew my clock was ticking. Do I save those to men, or do I risk my life and possibly loose mine.
My bands covered my eyes "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, this is for my debt, and I sprinted to help then pink haired man. "Lucy!" Loke cried, as he came crashing back to reality.
I stealthily ran by the side of the wall, and when I saw the two men who were being attacked, by their inevitable hair I quickly yelled "Duck!" as I slid into the seance. I was in a kneeling stance, one knee kept me up and my aim on point, the other was stuck out, supporting me if I need to make a quick break.
The men turned around to me, and saw my deathly serious expression and did as I asked. They ducked down, and as soon as I was able to see the attackers faces I poised my gun and my bullet landed on my target.
The ricochet wasn't too bad, just enough to make my arms unconsciously jerk up slightly, but that didn't stop me. I continued to fire, one at a time.
Bang, bang, bang.
I let out a breath of relieve, and slowly painting. Then two men look at me, with an expression of shock, however my hands started to shake and there was a pounding heart beat in my head. The attackers lay dead on the floor. My heart was pounding at my rib cage, and the side of my vision started to become blurry. Someone grabbed my shoulders and said something to me, but it was like everything was underwater.
Bile rose to my throat, causing me to place a hand on my mouth. I fell forward nauseous, and unwarily dropped my gun. 'Breathe Lucy, breathe' I coaxed myself, as I felt a reassuring hand on my back rubbing it back and forth soothingly. Soon after I was able to take in a few gasps of air, I realized that Loke was the one who was coaxing me, and the other men sitting around me.
"You good Princess?" Loke asked concerned, I nodded as I began to catch my breath and stand up.
"Thank you for saving us" I man with the raven hair thanked graciously, as he then turned to Loke, "I believe that we have some business to discuss, good to see you Loke"
I turned to Loke with a questioning look in my eyes, "Loke, is this your friend that you were talking about?" I questioned eagerly. He rubbed the back of his head and bashfully nodded "Oh ya, how are you doing Zeref?"
'So I just save these two punks a**es and they still want a favor' I begrudgingly thought to myself. I grunted at Loke, "Well isn't thing a coincidence, now isn't it?" Loke just chuckled in response.
Zeref faked a cough and extended his hand to me, "Thanks again.. um.."
"Lucy" I cut him off. "Lucy that's a beautiful name" He complemented as I too extended my hand and gave him a firm shake. "This is Natsu by the way, my brother". 'Your Brother?!' I thought, they don't even look alike. Though I still stuck out my hand for an shake, he just gave me a big smile, "Thanks for saving my butt back there Luce!" He exclaimed happily.
"No problem" I replied, slightly uncomfortable.
"Well Loke, Lucy, I need you to take Natsu to the capital building across the bridge. That is where the next Firefly base camp is" Zeref instructed.
The capital building?! That is way to far, almost two weeks worth of traveling and putting ourselves at risk of getting attacked. "And in return I will give you double of what Ivan bargained with you, as well as any resources you need."The man bargained
"We will do it." Loke answered without any contemplation with me, but I shrugged it off "If he's in, I'm in too"
Zeref nodded, but clutched his stomach where his wound lay, as he let out a pained grunt. The other boy, Natsu, quickly came to his rescue, and caught him in his arms. "Zeref! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, you need to go now, we are running out of time" Zeref warned tightly clutching his brother's arms. A loud siren shouted, as it came around the corner. "Get Natsu, out of here, I can buy you some time"
"No! We can't just leave you here, you're hurt!" Natsu cried. "Come on we can out run them, and get you medical attention" Loke reasoned. "I will meet you at base, just keep Natsu safe" Zeref said with a smile, as he pulled out a red button from his pocket. "Run" I shouted as I dragged Loke and Natsu, I knew that button is for an explosive.
As soon as we sprinted out of range, Zeref flicked the switch, and there was a fiery explosion, that knocked the three of us off our feet. We all screamed, as we stumbled forward, and the blinding light, and the heat of the fire crawled up our backs.
"ZEREF!" Natsu yelled in horror at the fire, as he ran over in attempts to save his dear brother. Gun shots arose, and the parole guards that survived the blast, were now firing and aiming for Natsu.
"Natsu look out!" and without thinking I pushed him out of the range of fire, and felt a sharp pain in my shoulder, I was stunned for a moment and had a ringing sound in my ears. I was knocked out of balance due to another shot somewhere, but my body turned numb and I couldn't feel anything. Next thing I know I start felling into a near by stream.I gasped, right before I came crashing down into the cold water.
I flailed around, trying to rise above the surface, however I never learned how to swim. As I started to loose air, I started to stop struggling, and started to drift away. Funny, I never thought I was going to die like this. Saving a random pink haired guy, on a job, and not going insane or even bitten. But if anything, in a world like this I don't think I would mind having my last moments saving a life.
So I just stopped, and that was it.
After a few moments, I started to feel a tug. Then, cold air at my skin. Am I dead? Then I felt something. Something I body was craving for.
Breath.
Thank you for reading, so sorry for the delay! I hoped you all like this chapter, and if you have any comments, please leave a review, and don't forget to favorite and follow. Love you all ^_^
~Music Dragon