This whole thing was just so wrong. The magic council was the one who kidnapped Ami in the first place! Even though they sent some of their own after Ami, in the end they weren't successful in getting her back. Natsu was expected to keep his cool...which in this situation was probably the hardest thing he has ever had to do so far.
"I can see the intense look in your eyes. I know it's hard but you have to remain in control." Gildarts spoke calmly, trying to ease Natsu's worries.
They were standing outside of the room now, listening into the master's conversation. There had to be some missing information, as always, so it was wise to stay and at the very least hear what Gran Doma had to say. Natsu was on edge at this point and he could absolutely not sit still. His body was constantly twitching, hungry, for some kind of fight to ease his pain. The thought of Ami being hurt made him feel his own brand of agony.
His voice reflected that, "I can't stay here. Her scent is getting more faint by the second."
Gildarts sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. If Cana were in the same situation there was no way he would be sitting around, that's for sure. So if Natsu did decide to leave...Gildarts couldn't tell him not to go.
"Just...wait...listen in on their conversation so you at least know what you're dealing with. There's no sense in running into a situation blindly." Gildarts was trying hard to calm him down before Natsu did something he might regret.
Natsu didn't respond he just closed his eyes so he could pay attention to what was going on further inside. He knew it would be dangerous but this is so much more important than himself. Ami...Lucy...he swore he would protect them both for as long as he lives. He really meant what he said.
Gildarts put his right hand on Natsu's left shoulder, "Look, I just don't want you to do something stupid and get yourself killed. If that happened then what would become of Ami?"
That's true what would become of Ami, who would save her then? Natsu's own thoughts were silenced by the loud voices inside the next room.
"I think you owe me at the very least an explanation!" Makarov was done messing around.
This whole thing had gone too far!
Gran Doma nodded and gave him a grim look, "Once we were informed of a child being born to a dragon slayer we took the opportunity to do a little research. There is very little known about dragons and their slayer counterparts...but with a little insight and some first person accounts we were able to piece together shocking evidence supporting our urgency to take action!"
"I'm listening."
Makarov knew the council had a habit of overreacting and trying to take things into their own hands. Regardless of their reasons taking Ami was going to unacceptable to him. He would take care of that matter at a later date, but right now he needs to know the reason behind this sudden action.
"We know that dragon slayers are humans but from what we've learned they all share a very specific genome that allows them to take on dragon-like characteristics. Dragons can pick out the types of humans who can inherit their power and use it, allowing them to pass on dragon slaying magic. And as I said it's a genome which means it can be genetically passed on. It can also not be passed on- but if it is...there is a very good chance they will be used in an attempt to reach out to Hell."
Did he just say...!?
"Hell!? Is that even possible?"
"Part of this is based off of a file we have locked away about dragons. Even though it was very vague we were able to use it along with a culmination of legends about dragons to draw these conclusions. There is evidence to now support that this very same genome can be used to turn humans into demons. Some of them can even be sacrificed to open the gates to hell...the resting place for Zeref's demons.
We didn't know for sure if Ami would have that capability but none the less we needed to be absolutely certain. Let me just say that our findings were conclusive...we planned to keep her here. But once we knew what we were dealing with the Orachion seis decided to act and stole her away. I don't know for sure what they are planning but we did try everything in our power to get her back."
As soon as Makarov heard the word "sacrificed" his stomach churned. His eyes closed and his fist clenched. He should have been watching over them more carefully...he shouldn't have allowed this to happen.
Makarov looked sadly at the floor, "So Ami shares the dragon slayer gene?"
"We can confirm. She can become a dragon slayer." Gran Doma had one thing left to do, the real reason behind Ami's kidnapping, "Makarov there is...one more thing."
"What is it?"
"It's Tartarus...I'm sure you have noticed their movements. We assumed Tartarus would want this power and so the order to take Ami was made. That is how we are here now. Though the council didn't foresee the Orachion seis acting out as they have...it was just an unfortunate turn of events."
"Tartarus...so then it's as I thought...this matter between us is far from over, expect to see me again once we have Ami back in our custody." Makarov paused to get his bearing, he would need to come up with a plan and quick,"...Alright, Gildarts!"
Gildarts came in through the doors avoiding eye contact with the guild master, "Uh, yes?"
"Get Natsu, were going back to Magnolia."
Gildarts nervous rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin, "About that...Natsu kind of just left."
"WHAT!?"
Natsu was already far gone, he heard what he needed to on the way out. This was no time to be sitting around, if he had to travel all over the continent to track her down that is exactly what he intended to do. But to wait any longer might mean to lose any chance he had! At least he could still use their scent to try and catch up.
I will never give up looking for you...Ami...
Back at the guild hall Lucy sat in wait, hoping, praying for some kind of good news. She hadn't slept...she barely ate anything at all these past few days. Lucy had been running on adrenaline for a while now and it was only going to get worse. Her nerves were getting the best of her, she didn't want to sleep until her baby girl was back here in her arms.
That good news...never came. And Natsu didn't come home...he left again without her. The master told her what had happened, that Ami was kidnapped by the Orachion seis, and Natsu went off after them. How could he hope to defeat all of the members and come back with Ami alive!? Lucy had never felt more weak in her entire life. Not because of some arbitrary physical or magical strength. She was drained emotionally and it caused her body to collapse on itself that day. The lack of sustenance, sleep, and peace of mind tore her down. Ami was not coming home...her little girl was out there somewhere alone and scared. So she fell down to the floor on her knees. She couldn't move anymore. There was no strength to stand.
Lucy's precious light was taken from her. She was carried home thanks to Erza and eventually given something to eat. Levy helped prepare some food, along with Mira who felt extremely compelled to aid Lucy in her time of need. None of them could imagine what it was like to lose a child like that...Ami might even eventually die. No one wanted to go there but their minds couldn't help but wonder about what the Orachion seis were actually after.
A few days went by so fast. Lucy never left her home, she didn't go to the guild or speak to anyone. In fact this is the second day she was planning to lay in bed...safe within her blanket sanctuary. Letting the hours tick by, avoiding all of the pain of living. She didn't want to be reminded anymore of this life...or the world that she lost.
Happy was not satisfied with the way things turned out. With everything that happened Natsu really left Lucy to suffer all alone. Alright...so maybe she has the guild to help her out but right now she doesn't even want to see any of them! Happy hopped onto the bed, it just wasn't healthy, she's been here almost 8 days...
He wasn't sure of how she would react so he approached slowly, his voice shaky, "Lucy?"
Lucy's head slowly popped up out from under the blankets and she looked over at the blue feline with sleepy eyes, "Oh...hey Happy...sorry I don't feel like getting out of bed today..."
Her head relaxed back into the soft fabric of the pillow. It gave her a sense of comfort in a rather uncomfortable world. Was this really ok? Should he leave her to suffer like this...it just didn't seem right. Seeing Happy again brought up old and unwanted feelings within her. It made her chest hurt and tears stream down her face.
Oh man did he feel even worse...but there has to be something he can do!
"I know Natsu is gone but he's gonna come back! He has to come back with Ami! I know Ami got taken away and I didn't like her crying but I miss her too! I want Ami back...just like you do." Happy stopped for a moment but Lucy's tears turned into sobbing, "If Natsu was here right now and saw you crying...well...he's never liked to see you cry and I don't either Lucy! You're part of our family!"
Tears started to well up in his tiny eyes, "Lucy is Lucy! She's always strong and smiles and laughs! She's one of my best friends I don't want to see her cry either!"
Lucy sat up suddenly and grabbed Happy into a hug her sobs only getting louder. Her chest was shaking violently...
"I thought I could be strong but with Ami gone I just can't! I'm so scared and worried about her! Everyday I keep thinking that I will just up and leave to go find her on my own...and I want to...I just can't stop feeling so broken down!"
Footsteps echoed throughout their broken home, causing Lucy to shiver with fright, holding the exceed even more tight against her chest. Flash backs to the night their home was invaded started to flood her mind and her breathing stopped.
A soft voice came from the other room, "Lulu?"
"Levy...is that you?" Lucy began to breathe easy, but her voice was still very broken.
The bedroom door was closed and Levy was leaning against it trying to talk through it, "I came to check on you. I haven't seen you in the guild hall at all for a while. It's no good to stay inside all the time!"
Lucy eventually found the strength to stand, it was heartwarming that Levy still came to see her even when she's like this. Lucy put on a robe and came out into the dinning room, where she sat down at the table. Levy made them a pot of tea, Lucy would normally be on top of that but today just wasn't a good day. Levy brought some cups of tea over and sat down across the way. She couldn't help but notice Lucy really changed...
Levy hadn't even touched her tea, she was just staring...her eyes filled with concern, "You look like you lost weight or something...have you been eating?"
Lucy finished taking a sip of her soothing beverage. Her eyes seemed to drift away from Levy's prying ones...
"Of course I have...it's only been a few days."
"It's been a week..." Levy said in a soft but still serious tone. Lucy has not been taking care of herself.
A whole week already...Has it really been that long?
Lucy looked solemnly at the table and rested her elbows against it. Her hands came together and she leaned against them taking in the fragrance of her tea.
"I guess I just have to come and check on you more often. It must be so hard...I can't even imagine what you are going through." Levy watched Lucy's facial expression sink even further into sadness. Levy stood up from her chair and slammed her hand against the table, startling the blonde "But I'm here to help you! Everyone at the guild is worried Lucy! We all care...so please don't shut us out!"
"Thanks Levy...I think I'm finally starting to feel a little better now..." While Lucy spoke her light sobs started to break through, only making her sound even more upset as she went on.
She wasn't ok...this wasn't OK. She would never be fully complete until she had them both back in her arms.
I would rather die than go through this pain again.
It felt like he was walking endlessly to a new realm. Rain started to crash down upon Natsu and at this rate he would lose her scent completely. How long had he been traveling? The non-stop trek over all of the land left him worn out and hungry though he didn't dare stop to look for food. Resting was also minimal...he couldn't stop. He had bags under his eyes and his stomach hurt something awful but he ignored the pain and pressed on. But it was no use...he tried to run as fast as he could to keep up with the scent for as long as possible.
"No no no no NO! I won't lose her now!"
That was as far as his body would go. Once her scent completely vanished everything started to fade in and out of his vision as he tried to catch his breath. Natsu fell forward, too exhausted to even catch himself, splashing into the muddy earth.
It couldn't have been that long...damn it...I need to get up! My body won't move and my eye lids are so damn heavy...
His eyes closed as his brain shut down for a good nights rest. He didn't even feel the rain falling anymore.
I'm sorry...Ami...
Author's note: I am sorry I could not update sooner. I have a lot going on in the real world so parts are getting written very slowly(it's kinda importantish stuff and I really am sorry). The story will continue- just under a bit of stress. Thanks for being patient I hope you keep reading :)
