Chapter 4: The Path of Irreversible Scars
AN: I know I know I am so sorry guys :( I'm officially the type of writer I hate. Here's an extra long chapter for my wonderful readers. Detailed note at the bottom.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
"What the hell was that?!" Gray yelled angrily after the several moments of silence that ensued. Everywhere he looked he saw no sign of the dark guild.
He waited tensely to be attacked again but the only sound came from the coughing and whimpers of others.
"Is everyone alright?" Erza's voice called out as the dust settled; her voice sparking life back into everyone as they all started talking at once.
"Aye!"
Natsu dropped down from Happy. "Ya we're good!"
Realizing it was safe to do so Gray quickly ran to Lyon and Juvia's side.
"How's Lyon?" He asked kneeling next to Juvia.
"He's okay," Juvia reassured him, "just unconscious."
Gray nodded relieved before turning his attention to Juvia.
There was a cut on her cheek that had smeared blood across part of her face.
"You're hurt," Gray said.
Juvia tilted her head questioningly at him before raising her bruised hand to her cheek; flinching when her fingers accidentally brushed the open wound.
Gray leaned forward and wiped some blood away; trying to avoid the injury.
Juvia froze when Grays hand touched her cheek.
"Hold still," he muttered concentrating.
That wasn't going to be a problem: Juvia couldn't move even if she wanted to. His touch had her hardly daring to breathe.
Gray-sama is touching Juvia!
Gray didn't realize how close they were until Erza appeared before them.
"You two alright?"
Juvia jumped out of his reach and they both quickly stood.
"We're fine," Gray snapped looking away embarrassedly, not liking the smile on Erzas' face.
"I'm glad, then I'll ask you two to help anyone who's wounded. Afterwards you can get cleaned up."
"Erza!" Juvia gasped, startling Gray.
He looked around wildly for the cloaked guild; realizing there was no threat when he looked to where Juvia was pointing.
"Erza," his eyes widened, "you're bleeding."
"I was careless, it's nothing," she brushed it off. "Gray you should get your arm looked at."
He tore his eyes away from her bloody torso to look at the odd angle his arm had bent; the pain starting to register again.
"Erza," Juvia looked at her worriedly, "you were stabbed, you should go to the infirmary."
Erza went on to argue but a shrill cry cut her off.
"Someone help Gajeel!"
Juvia turned shocked eyes to Gray and looked down at Lyon.
"You go," Gray said reaching for Lyon. "I've got him," he added as she hesitated.
Juvia nodded hurrying off as Gray lifted Lyon's limp arm over his shoulder and hoisted him up.
"Levy what happened?" Juvia asked once she reached her.
"Their magic," she stated shaking him, "Gajeel got hit and then..."
"WAKE UP YOU IDIOT!" Levy yelled suddenly, slapping him across the face.
"Levy?!" Juvia gasped in surprised.
"Wake up! Wake up! wake up!" She continued, berating the unconscious Gajeel.
Juvia quickly grabbed her hands. "Levy calm down! He'll be alright."
Levy nodded, her eyes never leaving Gajeel's face.
Once she was sure there'd be no more hitting, Juvia let go and pressed her hand to his wrist; feeling a steady pulse beneath her fingers.
"He's going to be okay," Juvia sighed relived as some of the tightness in her chest lessened.
Levy smiled sadly at him before standing.
"What is it?" Juvia asked surprised by her sudden change of expression.
"I just-...I have to get something," she muttered before walking off.
"Hang on!" Juvia called catching up to her, "you can't go out on your own what if-"
"I'll take Jet and Droy with me it'll be fine," she interjected. "Just make sure Gajeel is taken care of."
"They could still be out there Levy!" Juvia argued.
Levy glared at her, "Do you want to find out who they are or not? I have an idea that might lead us to them if I'm right."
Juvia's eyes widened. "You might-?"
She nodded. "I can't just sit by and let them get away, not after they..." she trailed off as her eyes skated to Gajeel.
"Juvia understands," she cast her eyes downward. "Make sure master knows and you take Jet and Droy."
"I will," Levy smiled tightly, "I'll be back before you know it."
Juvia nodded, the deep feeling of dread growing within her again.
Be careful.
She went back to Gajeel trying to think of how she was going to move him when a voice sounded behind her.
"How is he?"
Startled; she turned to see Gray behind her half carrying an unconscious Lyon: "He's okay," she replied relieved.
He smiled tightly, gritting his teeth in pain.
"I'm glad he's alright," Erza smiled walking up to them.
Juvia nodded in agreement her heart still hammering in her chest. She couldn't imagine a world where Gajeel was...
Shaking her head slightly, Juvia pushed the dark thoughts away. Now wasn't the time. "We should get him to Poluchka."
"Take him to the infirmary building, in fact; move everyone there, the guild isn't safe," Erza commanded wincing slightly.
Gray nodded; There were still so many people injured he didn't know where to begin.
"Erza," he looked at her bloody clothes, "you should get to the infirmary as well."
"Everyone else can handle it here," he continued when she looked like she was about to argue, "go."
"We don't have time to worry about trivial things, I'll get medical attention later!" Erza snapped walking away to where Mira was slumped against a half caved in wall.
"Mira can you walk?" Erza asked helping her up.
"I-I don't know," she panted leaning heavily against her.
Erza winced ignoring the tearing in her side until Makarov stood in front of them.
"Enough Erza!" he barked. "Straining yourself doesn't help anyone. I want both of you escorted to the infirmary now!"
"But master-"
"That's an order!"
Erza hissed closing her eyes in pain. "Very well."
"Juvia!" Makarov called motioning her over.
"Yes?"
"Help Erza take Mirajane to the infirmary."
"Y-yes," Juvia nodded, "but what about Gajeel?"
"Elfman's not in too bad of shape he can take Gajeel with him," Makarov looked behind her, "Gray will escort you back since Lyon seems to need medical attention as well."
Juvia looked behind her to see a very serious Gray carrying Lyon with one arm. Without another thought she went to Mira's other side.
"Also Gray, Juvia, bring back more medical supplies for everyone who's not in immediate danger."
"Yeah, alright," Gray muttered wincing.
"Master I can-"
"Erza you will remain in the infirmary until Poluchka releases you," Makarov snapped. "That goes for everyone else seriously injured."
Without another word the group left, leaving Makarov to stare after them with what he had to do weighing heavily on his mind.
~0~
Everyone not ordered to the infirmary was grouped in the destroyed guild hall trying to decide what to do and getting their superficial wounds taken care of. Makarov however, sat deep in thought as everyone continued to argue.
"The question still remains-"
"Yea, why else would we still be alive," Gray winced as Juvia wrapped his broken arm.
"Sorry Gray-Sama," she muttered taking extra caution not to hurt him.
"Gray's right,"
"Those bastards were just toying with us!"
"Why are they revealing themselves now?" Carla asked, "there's something not right with this."
"We haven't got any other choice!"
"Let's go after them!"
"We can't! Laxus and freed are still on a mission, Erza and Mira are in the hospital along with Gajeel and half of Fairy Tail," Cana snapped shuffling her cards and taking a drink.
"Gray-Sama please hold still," Juvia muttered as he went to angrily rebuttal.
"I say we stick to the plan and go after them!"
"None of you brats do anything!" Makarov yelled instantly silencing their squabbling, "we don't stand a chance against them!"
"Master-"
He held his hand up: "I will go to the magic council and see if they have anything new to report. Until I return I want all of you to remain here!"
"But Gramps-!"
"If any of you disobey me you'll find yourself without a guild!"
A heavy silence fell over them. Gray exchanged a look with Juvia who looked just as shocked as he felt.
"You can't mean that," Gray finally said.
"No way Gramps you wouldn't kick us out!" Natsu yelled.
"I MEAN IT NATSU! If I find out that any of you disobeyed me I swear-!"
"No one's gunna do anything," Gray interjected. "They'd be an idiot to go after them," he added shooting Natsu a glare.
"Oh yeah? And what the hell's that suppose to mean?!" Natsu snarled.
"You're a moron so don't go do somethin' stupid," Gray snapped back massaging his name bandaged arm.
"That's enough out of you two! Listen to me for once and don't get yourselves killed!" Makarov yelled. "Please, stay here," he asked, almost begging, "I'll be back soon, don't leave each other until then."
No one said anything as he left the guild. Juvia exchanged looks with Gray but neither one of them said anything.
"Wow, Gramps is really scared isn't he?" Lucy asked quietly breaking the silence. "Threatening to kick us out... I've never heard him talk like that before."
"The only time I can think of him being like this is when he kicked Laxus out," Cana added.
"You don't think he really would do you?" Juvia asked nervously.
"Are you cold?" Gray asked quietly as she rubbed her arms.
"What?" Juvia asked confused.
"You've been doing that for awhile," he motioned to her arms.
"Oh yes, maybe a little bit," she smiled.
Truth be told she couldn't get the voice out of her head.
"What are they?" She whispered staring at her feet.
"What?"
Juvias head snapped up at Grays voice; she didn't mean to say it loud...
"What are they?" She whispered to Gray. "Ghosts? Demons? They can't be human."
Gray looked away from her and stared ahead, but Juvia could tell he wasn't paying attention to anything.
"I don't know," he whispered back, "we haven't faced anything like this before."
Juvia frowned, her arms tightening around herself as another chill swept though her.
Noticing her distress Gray quickly added: "But this isn't the first time we've had to face an enemy we knew nothing about. We've always came out on top, this time will be no different."
"Yes, you're right," Juvia shifted restlessly.
"But you're still scared," Gray stated looking at her.
Juvia couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes
It wasn't necessarily fear, of course she was worried about what was going to happen but that wasn't it. The sick feeling of dread in her stomach wouldn't leave her. She'd felt it before: It meant everything was about to get much worse.
Natsu, having left the debate was sulking on the floor against a broken table. Gray walked over to him as everyone continued talking.
"So what do you think is going on?" he asked slumping against the wall next to him.
"Listen Gray we don't got much time," Natsu whispered, he expression intense.
"What?"
"I still have those bastards scent in my nose we can follow them, find out where they're hidin', come back and bring the rest of the guild to finish them!"
"No."
"Gray-"
"No way Natsu!" Gray hissed under his breath.
"But-"
"Have you fried all your brain cells! Damn it Natsu!"
"What's going on?" Lucy called making her way over.
"C'mon Gray!"
"Get it through your head idiot!" he yelled, "half our guilds being patched up right now, the last thing we should be doing is going after them at half strength!"
"He's right," Lucy agreed tiredly holding a sleeping Happy.
"He's not!" Natsu argued. "They attacked Fairy Tail, they hurt our friends!"
"We know Natsu," Juvia spoke up quietly behind Lucy, "but-"
"We need to at least take a look at Cait Shelter!"
"No, we'll just be walking into a trap!" Gray argued.
"We gatta take them out! They hurt Erza! They destroyed our guild! They'll be back!"
Gray glared at him. In all honesty he was dying to go after them but he knew it'd be foolish. They were outnumbered even without half their guild wounded.
"Natsu," Lucy said worriedly. "When Gramps gets back we'll go, just wait until then okay?"
He grumbled crossing his arms surly.
Lucy sighed sitting down on the floor next to him.
"Um, Gray-Sama Juvia is going to go check in on Gajeel and see how everyone's doing."
"Yea alright. Make sure Cana goes with you," he answered looking around. Most people were heading to the basement to turn in for the night anyway
"Way ahead of ya Gray," Cana threw an arm over Juvia's shoulder, "Let's go!"
"And where are you going?" Gray snapped as Natsu stood.
"I'm stretchin' that a crime?" Natsu shot him a dirty look.
Gray scowled looking away.
"C'mon Lucy I can't stand being around this bastard right now, let's see how everyone's doing."
"What'd you say?" Gray hollered at his retreating back only to be flipped off.
Lucy sent him an apologetic smile before hurrying after him. "Wait Natsu!"
Clenching his fist only to have pain shoot up his arm Gray groaned and sat down. Wendy had helped heal his arm before she was sent to help in the infirmary, however it was still sore and difficult to move.
Eventually people started heading to the basement to sleep even though it was only late afternoon. Gray stretched. It'd been such a full day already and he was so tired...
Shaking his head he stood, deciding he should go and check on everyone as well.
And make sure Natsu's doing something moronic again...
~0~
"Cana? What're you doing?" Juvia asked quietly sitting down next to her. Poluchka required absolute silence if they were visiting as to not to disturb the "healing process".
She jumped, quickly scooping up her cards. "Nothing. What's up?"
"Have the cards told you anything yet?" Juvia asked hopeful as Cana pulled a drink out of nowhere.
"No."
Realizing how harsh it came out she tried softening her tone. "There's nothing yet. I'll keep everyone posted if the cards show me something."
"Juvia should let you get back to reading then," she smiled and went to leave.
"Juvia," Cana quickly grabbed her arm.
Startled by her worried expression, the unsettling feeling made itself more forcefully known.
"Cana? What is it?"
She stared at her intently. "Just be careful okay?"
"What do you mean?" Juvia asked. "Did the cards-?"
"No, nothing like that," Cana said letting go and waving her off to take a drink, "just very vague."
"I don't-"
"Just be safe," Cana whispered returning to her cards. Closing her eyes she placed her hands over them: "Please," she begged as Juvia stepped out of the infirmary, "tell me something."
The moment Juvia closed the door behind her her she walked right into Gray.
"Gray-Sama!" Juvia exclaimed quietly, her eyes sparkling.
"Hey," he muttered, "how's everyone?"
"They're all asleep right now," she sobered, "Gajeel was really hurt but Poluchka says he'll be okay. Erza too, the wound was really deep so it might take awhile for her to wake up but she should be fine and Lyon's still asleep but going to be okay."
"That's good to hear," Gray grimaced rubbing his arm.
"Is it still hurting?" Juvia asked concerned. "When Wendy comes back she can-?"
"No it's fine, where'd Wendy go?"
"Oh um, to grab more supplies she should be back soon. Is Gray-Sama okay?" Juvia asked eyeing him.
"Yea, I'm fine where's Natsu?"
"Natsu?" Juvia asked confused, "he hasn't been here."
"What?" Gray looked at her, "Lucy?"
Juvia shook her head. "No, neither of them."
"Fuck!" Gray exclaimed making Juvia jump as something crashed down the hall.
"Gray-Sama what's going on?" she looked at him worriedly. "Where's Natsu and Lucy?"
"They're in trouble," he growled walking off.
"What do you mean?" Juvia asked hurrying after him.
"They left! Those idiots!" he yelled slamming his fist into a wall.
"Left?" she whispered to herself her eyes widening. "Gray-Sama-"
"I know," he ran a hand through his hair taking a deep breath. "I need your help," he turned to Juvia, "we can't wait for gramps and everyone they could be gone by then."
"Yes, Juvia will help Gray-Sama."
"Thanks," Gray smiled slightly, glancing at her.
She was a powerful mage he knew that; but she was easily distracted around him and they couldn't afford to be distracted.
"Stay focused okay," he told her seriously, "if we're going to do this we can't make any mistakes."
"Yes Gray-Sama!" she smiled happily.
"We're just going to bring them back okay?"
"Yes Gray-Sama," she smiled, her eyes still shinning.
"Alright then, we better get going," he said shaking his head at her transparent excitement as she practically skipped beside him.
"Yes Gray-Sama!"
~0~
"I seem to recall a similar situation happening several years ago did it not?" Makarov said abruptly. The Magic council members exchanged looks with each other. He'd barely been able to get a word in with all their squabbling.
Worse than my damn brats.
"This is a different magnitude entirely!" Lahar snapped.
"I agree," Makarov said solemnly, "which is why we need all the information you gathered from then."
There was an uneasy silence that settled over them before finally Org spoke up: "There was nothing. And as it was a secluded incident outside of the councils jurisdiction, we did not handle the matter personally."
"I see..." Makarov spoke slowly.
"What does this have to do with anything Dreyar?" Gran Doma asked impatiently, "Surely you don't think this incident has repeated itself?"
"As a matter of fact that's exactly what I think."
"That's not possible!" Lahar hissed after a long silence.
"I'm afraid that it is very possible, which is why we must band together to stop this," Makarov stated firmly. "Not only the magic council but all the remaining guilds in Fiore. You said you had no information regarding the last time this occurred so I suggest you all start digging."
"There will be no digging! Dreyar you have no proof to-" Lahar started to say.
"Enough out of you!" Belno yelled silencing him. "'No proof' you uncooperative little-"
"If I may," Makarov interjected. "All of you have stood by while the situation has grown well beyond worrisome."
"We put a curfew in effect and set up preventative measures to counter-"
"And yet still I see no difference in the number of guilds being attacked or the missing persons, both wizards and civilians," Makarov snapped.
"We will contact the guild masters as per your instruction to fight alongside you," Belno alleged, "If this really is the case though Makarov you do know what it means then?" she asked voice wavering.
He closed his eyes, his heart weighing heavily.
"I know very well what it means..." he spoke slowly as he started to leave. "Everyone who has vanished is surely dead."
AN: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to take over a year to update this :( Things have been crazy this year and the only time I ever seem to be able to sit down and write I'm plagued with depression :( So I'm very sorry guys for taking so unforgivably long to write this chapter for you and I promise I'll never make you wait so long again :( Thank you so much to all my followers and everyone's continued support of my story, you guys are amazing!