Vanished

Chapter 4 – Before the Dawn

As the light from the impending sunrise barely lit up the distant eastern hills, Erza had been in such a deep slumber. The words from the pages she'd tried to read danced around her body as she reached out, begging them to tell her the secret.

The secret to save Lucy.

"I won't let you take her!" Angrily she screamed, only hearing an echo in the vast whiteness as black letters whirled by; even in her flight armor she could not catch what she knew was lingering in the paragraphs, sentences.

No matter how hard she tried, she could see that sliver of light between the words, unable to get close enough to read it.

"Please! Lucy needs me!"

"Please…"

Yet before anything could escape her lips again she felt her body collide with the floor as she'd jumped back against her chair in surprise as the bell tolled loudly; clearly waking everyone else in the room up in similar means. Swiftly rising to her feet as her heart raced a mile a minute, she snapped her head around the room to make sure everyone was still okay.

Erza neglected to notice in her haste that two vital members were in fact missing.

"The bell…" Grey spoke, his breath hitched in his throat. This earned him a confused look from Wendy who pulled herself up along with the pair of exceeds rubbing their eyes.

"What's the bell? I've never heard something like this before." She asked in all her innocence, since indeed the last and only time the bell had been rung was before her time in the guild.

"The bell was originally used as a means to magically summon the attention of every single guild member. The sound we're hearing right now is only projected to those with the guild stamp." Levy said calmly as she stood from Gajeels lap with help from the slayer, her eyes focused on Wendy.

"The last time that bell rang, was when Lisanna had died. It's rare, other than some sort of emergency that it would be ordered to be rang." Levy looked puzzled, her eyes glancing to Gajeel who was looking off to the side…and looking very distant even for him. She was going to pipe up and ask what was wrong before the rage filled tones of Erza filled the room with her anger.

"Where…is…Lucy…." She took a step towards the empty bed, her voice shaking from the anger welling up inside, and the hurt she didn't notice till now she had been missing.

"Where's Natsu!" Happy cried out, looking frantic as he looked under the bed, and in the closet "Natsu! Lucy!" Of course, this made everyone nearly face palm.

"She was in no condition to be up and about, where the hell could they have gone?" Grey snapped, tearing out into the hallway of the hospital to see if they had been lingering or find someone who may have seen them.

"At least we can assume Natsu and Lucy are together…he wouldn't leave her alone." Wendy piped up, moving to the bedside to see Lucy's keys had been left near her pillow. "Lucy's Keys…"

Levy felt her chest tighten, knowing Lucy would never leave behind her keys, not in a million years. Something must have happened, something bad. "Maybe they took her to another wing?"

Erza snapped her head down as she hid her expression from her friends for good measures, the crazed look in her eyes of complete and utter devastation was almost too much to bare; the guilt of everything feeling like it would crush her shoulders at this rate.

"NO!" She bellowed, her fist slamming on the now vacant bed. "I cannot accept anyone came in and took her, how could they have gotten past everyone? No…this is Natsu's doing. I know it…"

It wasn't a second later that she had caught in her peripherals Gajeel quickly adverting his gaze, the look on his face screaming in guilt as she twisted on a dime and stormed up to the dragon slayer; seizing his shirt in her armored hand.

"You! You know something, spill it. WHERE DID LUCY AND NATSU GO!" She screamed in his face, the fire in her eyes would have sent Grey and Natsu flailing in their friendship routine or running for the hills; but Gajeel was different.

Erza knew he did not fear her wrath.

"You want to try saying that again wretch? I don't have to tell you shit!" In a mirrored motion he grabbed the collar of her chest plate and lifted her into the air to snarl in her face. "While I think he's an idiot for what he did, it what that damned bunny girl wanted, so don't blame your anger and their shit on me!"
Gajeel was about to say more when his eyes glanced to Levy…who looked about as heartbroken as ever hearing that he'd known about Lucy.

Shit…Gajeel groaned in his mind, before letting the requip mage go gently.

Turning his head and crossing his arms he let out a low rumble, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Pinky took Lucy outside; she said she wanted to go. That was an hour or two ago. Blondie was pretty adamant to go…in the end it's her call where she wanted to be when she slips away."

Instantly Levy's hand covered her mouth as her body began to tremble. "Slip…away? You mean…"

Gajeel rolled his eyes, he had smelt it about an hour ago; he hated to believe it…but it was a part of life right? He could sense from the scent of Lucy…she had slipped away peacefully. That's all one could ask for anyways.

"Her scent is fading…and pinky hasn't come back yet. Don't make me spell it out for you."

As a surprise to all, it was none other than Happy who broke the deadly silence with a cry, his body vibrating from the news.

"NO, LUCE IS NOT DEAD!" He snapped, before picking up the scent of Natsu and flying out the door with a bang, the rest of the room springing to life as they followed after the wailing exceed. Erza kept the lead behind him as they tore through the hospital hallways, passing Grey down in the lobby as the Ice mage looked horribly confused to see the lot running.

"Grey, Lucy!" Erza snapped, her eyes hidden in shadow as he spotted in near slow motion the tears which fell through the air as she passed, no more words needed as he knew they'd discovered something horrible.

Turning back to the communication orb and the face of Master and Warren; and the entire guild trying to lean in to get a peak he gave a grave look and ducked his head. "Keep your concentration on me Warren, I will keep you updated. I have a bad feeling about this…" He said as quickly as he could before running out the sliding doors behind his team.

"Happy!" Wendy called after him, the exceed going much too fast for the group to realistically keep up without the advantage of speed boosts or exceeds…but nothing was going to stop them as they passed the early morning streets; and towards what looked like a park.

"Happy slow down!" Even Charle tried to call him to his senses but there was no use…Happy was too concerned for Lucy. Why hadn't Natsu woken him up? Why….

The streets were still mostly dark as the group raced, alley after alley passing them by till Happy reached the park and without hesitation began flying through the trees.

Having enough of this, Erza re-quipped into her flight armor and rushed in front of the group to keep better pacing with Happy. Until he stopped in mid-air and drifted down to the ground, Erza quickly applying the brakes and halting to a stop behind him. For a moment she wondered what was up…but her question was answered as she noticed the figure under the glowing sakura tree.

…the solitary figure under the tree.

Time slowed for the ruby haired mage, her legs slow and heavy as she step by step got closer to none other than Natsu. At first she looked to her left, and then to her right…nothing.

…Lucy was nowhere in sight.

Once she was about a foot away from him her shadowed face taking in the sight; he held in his arms the blanket that had been keeping Lucy warm as if cuddling it tight. Mixed in that blanket was the very hospital gown that she'd been wearing. Even in the grass…she could see the small heart earrings she wore in her ears, and the little blue ribbon she'd used to tie her hair to the side still in a bow…as if it had just fallen right off of her.

It was then; as she could hear Happy burst out in a uncontrollable fit of tears and the footsteps and gasps from her friends did the great Titania lose it.

Grabbing Natsu by his scarf she slammed his back against the tree, immediately waking him up in a start as he was confused to where he was.

"Erza! What the hell!" He snapped, but this was nothing compared to the absolutely terrifying tone she held as she screamed at him.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, TAKING HER FROM THE HOSPITAL? WHERE IS SHE? WHERE…THE FUCK…IS LUCY!" Unable to control herself she felt herself pushing him roughly against the tree, feeling Natsu having a bit of a hard time breathing with the way she pushed against his collar bone.

"What are you talking about! Luce is right…right….." Natsu trailed off, the situation sinking in as he hadn't been holding her like he had before he dozed off; Erza would have trampled her by now if that was the case.

In a moment of instinct he braced his arms against the tree and pushed her off of him with his legs, making the fearsome mage stumble back but knew it wouldn't tide her for long. Sliding down the trunk till his feet landed back on the ground he looked frantically around, but couldn't sense her anywhere…even her scent was fading.

Looking down he felt his face go deathly pale, leaning down with a shaking hand to pull up the blanket he'd been holding which had been wrapped around Lucy…the gown she wore also wrapped tightly in it.

Had she gotten up and left?

No…she would have been naked and knew damn well she'd never do something like that.

Yet how…where was she?

"…They say…" Levy choked out, her small shoulders shaking as the tears streaked down her face after they had caught up and saw the scene before them. "Some types of wizards don't leave a body when they die…their powers so great…they dissolve back into the world as magic, the element they gained their magic from. L…Lucy was…..a celestial…." She couldn't finish, looking to the fading stars giving way to the oncoming dawn as she crumpled to her knees and buried her face in her hands.

"NO!" Natsu yelled clutching the blanket close to his chest as his own face buried into it. It smelled like Lucy…and could have very well been the only clue he had.

"She's not dead! I can still smell her, she's still here!" The agony in his voice was cracking, making his chest burn and ache like nothing he'd felt before.

"Luce wouldn't leave me…." He breathed into the blanket, Erza turning her body away as to try and keep herself walled up from her companions; surprisingly Grey having moved up to Natsu and crouched down to pick up Lucy's earrings and ribbon from the ground.

"What did she say…last night?" Grey spoke, his tone colder than even his most dangerous attacks.

"She wanted to go outside…wanted to get fresh air. I don't blame her, being stuck in there. I took her here, so she could celebrate Hanami…" Natsu began, being interrupted by none other than Gajeel who had his hands in his pockets.

"Like all species, people want to go where they're most comfortable in final hours. It was a clear night to see the stars…" He stopped for a moment, casting a glare to the two men who were currently shooting him daggers with their eyes. "Seriously, listen idiots; Natsu…you smelt it, get your head out of your ass in denial. I hate to be the only one in reality here but she wanted to be with you before she passed. We should just be grateful she isn't…you know, suffering. Or are you all that selfish?"

Although everyone knew Gajeel was right, no one had the gall to speak up immediately. Of course they were selfish, who wanted to lose someone as bright as Lucy? She was the soul of their group, the sense of reason and the hand which held on to each of theirs through good times and bad.

"I….I know I am." Levy sniffled, her tears not ceasing but finding a bit of solace in his words…Lucy knew what was going to happen before they all did, and if Lucy was alright…she would accept it as much as it hurt and she wanted her best friend back.

"Of course we're selfish…" Grey spoke up reaching out to Natsu and grabbing his hand to set the earrings and ribbon in his palm before standing. "It's our nature when we love someone that much.."

"…and that they loved us so dearly…" Wendy whispered out, hugging to Charle who held the small girl back and stroking her hair soothingly.

"She wanted to spare us the pain, even if she was in more than we could have ever known. She was always thinking of others…before herself. I failed her…and she still went out of her way to protect us all.." Erza spoke between gritted teeth, unable to still face her friends even for a moment least she broke down.

"ENOUGH!" Natsu roared as he stood up, his body trembling. "STOP TALKING LIKE SHE'S DEAD."

"Natsu…" Happy breathed out between sobs, having never seen him like this before.

"LUCY ISN'T DEAD. Wherever she's gone, I'll find her…I'll bring her back to Fairy Tail! Lucy would never leave, she loves the guild and she loves us!"

And fuck it all, I love her too.

"Don't be stupid, She's gone! It'll only be worse if you keep pretending otherwise." Gajeel growled, was he seriously the only fucking grown up here?

He opened his mouth to say more when a small land clutched his pant leg, looking down to see Levy; still staring at the group but shaking her head. Gajeel immediately swallowed his words, amazed in silent at how much tact she had…he wouldn't have blamed her for lashing back at his little spoon full of reality, but still cared enough to let him know otherwise when he was overstepping his place while not confronting his pride.

He had to give it to the bookworm.

She knew how to handle a dragon slayer.

"Whether she is still alive or…you know," Gray spoke up, the reason of logic behind his voice. "We have to head back and inform the guild. It's safe to say Lucy is not here; and we should begin any kind of arrangements back with our Nakama." Looking to Natsu, for once the pair held a small sliver of understanding.

If Natsu was going to find Lucy; it was simply logic the more people the better.

The logic had woken the group up from their own mental confinement, each of them understanding and yearning to get back to those who were family. With Wendy heading to Erza, she took the older woman's hand in her own…although surprised Erza was happy for the comfort and headed back with her along with the two exceeds towards the hospital to give them the news.

In one quick movement Gajeel lifted Levy up till she was able to stand, giving her a quiet not as he began to walk in the same direction…not very surprised when a pair of small hands wrapped around his arm and walked beside him; earning a faint red glow to cross his cheeks.

Turning back to Natsu, who was the most distant one of them all; Grey slapped his back – hard.

"H-hey!" Natsu groaned, rubbing his shoulder as it stung painfully.

"Lets go, everyone will be waiting for us." Grey smiled tiredly, turning from Natsu to stride after the group; knowing the pink haired idiot would be walking behind. While he didn't want to admit she was gone and believe Natsu…it was hard to imagine anything else.

He didn't quite realize how hard it was to be in Lucy's shoes, keeping the group emotionally together was something he never would have imagined falling on his shoulders.

Natsu, on the other hand found himself spacing out, his mind numb as he followed slowly behind Grey; his eyes falling down to his hand which held three pieces of Lucy…what had been hers and hers alone. Gripping them tightly in his hand he sighed out, hating the fact he was starting to lose Lucy's scent other than the faint lingering of the blanket.

…everyone but Lucy, that is. He thought bitterly, wondering who would believe him once they got back to the guild.

How would the guild even take the news in the first place?

Either way, it was going to be a long day heading back to magnolia.

Without Lucy.

It was sunset when the tree began to glow once more, although not as brightly as the night prior it was still a sight to be seen as the Hanami festival drew to a close. People had returned to their houses leaving the solitary tree in the dark quiet atmosphere of the park.

Although the tree was not so solitary after all…

Groaning as if she'd been hit by a bus, Lucy sat up and stretched her arms over her head and rubbed her eyes. Although she ached, she felt like a million jewels in comparison to the night before; what had transpired lost in her sleep clouded head.

"Mmnnn…was it all a dream?"

It had to have been, she was here right?

"Natsu…remind me not to sleep outside again okay, feels like I slept for ages and had the most ridiculous dream!"

Looking behind her she was shocked to see he was gone…did he just leave her behind? No, Natsu wasn't like that at all even in the most teasing sense to try and trick her.

"Natsu?" The celestial mage called out, and got nothing in reply. So in response she moved her hands up to her face to call out louder when she froze, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"W…wh…why am I see through…?" She breathed out on trembling vocals, and immediately looked down at herself in full before turning beat red even for someone with a sheet like complexion before she lost it.

"KIIIIYYYYAAAAHHHHHHH WHY AM I FUCKING NAKED!"

Aaannnddd…..chapter four! -insert troll face-

Just a little something to break the melodrama here! 'Till next update and please, Read and Review!