Credit: ElementalMiko12 I loved the story that ElementalMiko12 wrote, so I wanted to continue it. I added my own plot, and used some their ideas for the story. This chapter is kinda short, but let's roll with it. Yeah I know. Grammar sucks. ;p
"Gray…" Erza mumbled. She felt cold, like she was thrown into the coldest ocean that ever existed, but she felt piping hot. Her insides burned while her skin was about to fall off.
A hard, but familiar surface pushed against her back. Her legs were so weak; she felt like they were sticks. Her body tense. Muscles all over her body were stiff and she could barely lift her arm. Erza forced her thin eyelids to open into the bright light. Her vision blurred and white light clouded her eyes. She didn't know if what she felt was pain, or if it was nothing. Her body was being forced down.
She heard grunts in the distance, but they felt so close. So close, that she wondered who the grunts belonged to. "Where am I?" she mumbled. Her voice was low. It took all of her strength just to speak. Her breathing accelerated. Her lungs were begging for air. More moans and screams came in the distance but she didn't know what was happening.
"AHHH!" she heard. It was loud, but all she heard was a soft cry. Who is that? The scream was familiar.
"Who was that?" She heard another scream. Her eyes widened at the familiar voice. "Gray…" Memories flood her mind. She remembered why she was here, in this strange place. She here to recuse Lucy. Her friend, that just came back. Grunts escaped her mouth as she forced her arms to the top of the box that she was placed in. Her muscles ached, but she kept her stance. Her foot moved under her butt so she could keep her balance. She gasped for air. Even standing weakens me. As she stood above the cold barrier that was keeping her from seeing the outside world. As she stood, she saw the back of a raven haired man. He grunted in pain. "Gray!" she screamed. He held the side of his arm. His hand was covered in his blood, but it was slowly turning to ice.
"Erza! Stay down! You need to rest!" Gray insisted. He kicked the man in the stomach that was about to jump on him. The second foe came to him and punched Gray in stomach.
"Ahhh!" He coughed up blood and it landed on the man's black jacket. Gray removed his arm all punched the man in the jaw. The man fell back and hit the ground.
"Gray!" Erza stood up and lifted her leg to the other side of the box. She whimpered and froze her leg, but that made it worse. She lost her balance and fell out of the ice box.
"Erza!" Gray rushed to his friend. Her muscles still didn't want move, even though her comrade was injured. She felt ashamed. Gray quickly sat down next to her to make sure she wasn't hurt any further. "Erza, you got to be more careful," he whispered. His arm was still bleeding from the previous attack.
"You were hurt," she replied, softly. "I wanted to help…"
"I was find, Erza. You've done enough. Just rest." She didn't fight the drowsiness that wanted to calm her body.
Lucy. He couldn't believe that she was right in front of him. Her blonde locks was scrunched up against the wall as she took her breaths. Her lips had a thin gap between them while she slept, making her more adorable. Her back was against the bumpy wall while the legs were extended outward so the little girl could rest her head against Lucy's thighs. Her cloak covered her whole upper body, only exposing Lucy's hands that were covered in light blue locks. Natsu focused on the air around them, sniffing the little girl's scent. He growled. Why is Duke's scent all over her?! Did they… no they wouldn't. His growl became louder at the thought. He examined her body more cautiously. Her perfect skin changed. Cuts appeared on her calves; red blood outlined her wounds and he noticed a pile of blood in the center of the room. Rage flourished through his body and tears escaped his eyes. I'm sorry Lucy, that I couldn't protect you. It's my fault you went through this. If I had just been a better friend... His tears stained his cheeks. He felt guilty and ashamed that he couldn't protect his loved one.
His tears quickly evaporated in the air, leaving the scent of salt. I promise. I'll do better. After a few minutes of despair, Natsu decided to check if the little girl was Sam's sister. She smelled like lavender mixed with lemons. Fairly similar to Sam's, only he had some kind of meat smell too. He came to conclusion that the girl was Sam's older sister. Natsu smiled at the thought that Lucy already met his sister.
"Sam," Natsu whispered. He wiggled his hand gently that held on to Sam's thigh. His eyes slowly opened.
"What?" the little boy complained. "I'm tired…" he mumbled and tried to go back to sleep. He adjusted his position on Natsu's shoulder.
"Come on!" Natsu whined. It took all of his strength not rush by Lucy's side. "Don't you want to introduce me first?" Natsu asked.
"What are you talking about?" Sam opened his eyes again. Blurriness flooded his vision and he didn't want to open them any further. But he decided to widen his eyes, curious why Natsu had woken him up, and saw his sister sleeping peacefully. "Terri!" he shrieked. Natsu winced because of the loud, high pitched voice that scream in his ears. "Let's me down!" Sam commanded, excitedly. He wiggled his arms up and down.
"Shhh! You're so loud and they're sleeping," Natsu reminded. He slowly let Sam down his back. The little boy smiled and rubbed his eyes. He gripped the bars and jumped up and down. He eagerly tried to stuff his face between the bars so he could get to his sister, but frowned as the bars rejected him. Natsu smiled at the little boy's attempt and gripped the metal poles that forbid Natsu from reaching Lucy. His body heat surged to his hands and melted the unwanted metal. He picked up Sam, who was terrified at the liquid metal, and dropped him in the cell. Natsu followed the little boy into the dark cell while Sam rushed towards his sister. The little boy touched the cheek of his sibling.
"Terri. Wake up!" He spoke excitedly. Natsu stood behind Sam, curiously examining Lucy. He wanted to surprise Lucy after Sam, so he wait as patiently as he could. The little boy frowned as his sister did not respond, so he tried again. "Terri. Wake up!" he said, louder. This time her eyelids slightly opened but closed again.
"Lucy...can't I sleep more? I'm tired…" Terri mumbled and tried to drift back to sleep. She gripped Lucy cloak tightly, like it was going to disappear. Sam smiled.
"You're funny, sister!" Sam giggled. Terri immediately opened her eyes. That voice! It can't be… Terri turned her head and faced a little boy. A tear fell down her cheek.
"Sam!" She quickly got up and covered her mouth. "Sam!" she repeated.
"Terri!" He fell in her arms and she engulfed him with hugs. "I missed you!" Sam cried. Lucy's eyes fluttered open from the noise. What happened? Natsu rushed to her side. She opened her eyes and saw Terri hugging a little boy. Who is that? She lifted her arms to rub the blurriness away from her vision, but she hissed and let her arm back down.
"Lucy!" Natsu touched her arm and she yanked it away.
"Who the hell-" She stopped speaking and emotions flooded her body. He grinned at her, leaving her speechless. "Natsu…" He came! For me! His cheeks were bright red and his eyes were filled with an emotion that she was too familiar with. She fell in his embrace, ignoring the pain she brought to her wounds. Natsu lightly put his arms around her waist.
"Hey," he whispered in her ear while she sobbed. She gripped his shirt tighter, hoping it wasn't fake. She pulled away from his arms, her face stained with uncontrollable tears. "I'm sorry, Lucy," he wept. He gripped her tightly, making sure she wouldn't disappear. Lucy was slightly confused by his apology.
"Natsu, why are apologizing?" she whispered and rubbed his back, ignoring the stinging feeling in her arms.
"Because...you're hurt a-and bleeding, and I let this happen. If only I was more careful, this would have never happened," he mumbled. She was surprised he felt this way.
"You know this wasn't your fault. It was mine. I should have been more careful." His tears fell down his cheeks and he pressed his head against her shoulder. "If only I was more careful…"
"Natsu. It's no one's fault. Anyway, let's change the subject," she insisted and hugged him more tightly.
"You came for me?" she whispered, looking down his back. Natsu pulled away and frowned.
"Why wouldn't I come for you? I'm not letting my best friend get taken away right in front of me, and not do anything about it." He grinned, letting his tears disappear and pulled her in his arms. Her cheek lightly brushed against his. He felt her tears get spread across his cheek and he lightly blushed. "I will always come for you." Lucy smiled and blushed, hoping he wouldn't notice the rise in temperature in her cheeks.
"I believe you," she whispered. She remembered when she jumped off the giant tower that held her prisoner. She remembered how he caught her and her trust for him grew. "I trust you," she added.
"I trust you too." He rested his head against her's and whispered, "Let's go back to Erza and Gray, ok?" She smiled.
"Ok!" she approved and hugged him tightly. He twirled her golden lock a couple times and then stopped. Natsu wanted to spend more time with her, but they all needed to get back to the others.
"Let's go!" He grinned. They both brushed away their tears. Lucy turned to Terri, who was cradling her little brother in her lap.
"Terri. Let's go." Lucy smiled at her. "I carry him for you." Lucy offered.
"No. You're obviously hurt, Lucy…" Natsu said, smelling her fresh blood.
"Natsu! I'm fine I just-"
"Lucy. It's fine. I can carry him!" Terri reasoned and out her brother's arms around her neck. His head rested on her shoulder with his chest against her back. She held his thighs to her side as she stood up.
"Ok." Lucy began to get up but Natsu stopped her.
"You're not walking anywhere!" he growled. She was slightly terrified at his tone.
"Why not?" she demanded. "I can walk." Natsu shook his head.
"You seriously think I would let you walk with your injuries? Come on. I smell blood…" He mumbled the last few words and looked her in the eyes. "Please. It's obvious you're in pain right now. You just don't want to admit it. Let me carry you back." Natsu's eyes were begging her. She didn't want to say yes but she didn't want to say no.
"I agree with him, Lucy. You're too injured to do anything, Lucy! I want to help." Terri cried with tears at the edge of her eyes. She remembered how Duke treated her. Before Lucy could retort, Natsu pushed Lucy to his back. He slowly grabbed her thighs and pushed them against his waist. He was careful not to touch the large gashes on each of her thighs.
"Fine…" she mumbled. Her arms wrapped around Natsu's neck and rested her chin on his shoulder. She fought the stinging feeling that burned her skin.
"Let's go, Terri." Natsu beamed. He was happy see the love of his life. But his smiled immediately turned into a growl at the memory of Duke.
"Ok." She followed behind him. Is that the Natsu Duke was talking about? Kinda looks like her loves her though…
"Levy. Down worry! Natsu and the others will bring Lucy back! You can always count on them!" Droy assured. He rubbed her back to give her comfort, but she still wept.
"I know, but...He just took her! J-just like that!" she stuttered. "And I couldn't do anything to help her!" Levy cried everyday since Duke took Lucy away. Jet and Droy looked at her with pity. They don't know what they can do to make her feel better. All they could do was to give her hope that Natsu and the others will bring her back.
She couldn't even give her best friend hug. She felt helpless. She tried to focus on reading and take her mind off of that since the others were going to rescue her, but she still couldn't stop thinking about it. None of her hobbies distracted her from the pain she felt. She even tried to go on a job, but instead, she just stood there and put Jet and Droy in danger. She felt helpless.
Everyone looked at Levy, sad that one of their own got taken from them and Levy was crying. Everyone had guilt all around them. They abandoned their own, and it caused her to leave the guild.
Gajeel stood in the corner of the guild hall, with his hands shoved in his pockets. He didn't know how to calm down Levy because he didn't know how he was going to control his own anger and sorrow. He wanted to destroy the whole guild hall, but he knew he shouldn't do that. Gajeel was on a mission with Lily and he got back yesterday. He came back to a depressed guild. Mira was even weeping on the counter and didn't even want to work at the bar. He could have protected her if he never even took the damn job!
He looked around the guild and it was just as it was when Lucy left. Depressing. Everyone was grim and the joy they had a two week ago was in the trash. Man, even Gramps wasn't sayin' anything. He just sat on the bar counter with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.
Wendy was sitting at a table, next to Romeo, Happy, Lily and Carla. Happy was curled up on the table weeping while Wendy scratched behind his ears to calm him down. She was trying her best not to cry. Carla sadly sat next to Wendy, sipping tea. She didn't try to tell people to stop moping around because she was doing that too. Romeo sat in front of Wendy, playing with his weakened flames. "I miss Lucy…" Romeo mumbled. His elbow was perched on the table, so he could rest his cheek on his palm.
"I do, too," Wendy mumbled to him.
"I just want her to come back!" Happy cried. His tears flowed down his cheek and he didn't try to stop. "Please come back...please…" he whimpered. Hiccups filled his lungs and he would barely cry. Everyone in the guild looked at Happy with pity. He missed her more than all of them put together.
"She'll come back…" That was all Wendy could say as a tear fell down her cheek.
"Wendy. Don't cry. Natsu and the others will bring her back. Have faith in them." He smiled at her and she brushed away her tears and nodded.
"You're right, Romeo. She'll come back." Wendy tried her best to smile, but she was still soaked in despair.
Lisanna looked around the guild. Ughh. Why is everyone moping around that bitch?! Lisanna went on cleaning the dirty dishes behind the bar. Fuck Lucy. This was my guild and she just took it from me! I was the light of the guild! I was the bright shining star and she just took my place! I even had Natsu wrapped around my finger! And Happy was my child! Now they don't even pay attention to me at all and I had to use a fuckin potion on them! He was suppose to love me! Not that weak bitch! Lisanna squeezed the cup so hard that she cracked the cup. That weak bitch doesn't even know what she got herself into. Good thing I have two things up my sleeve. Lisanna grinned and cleaned up the shards of glass. It scraped her skin and blood flowed out palm. I'm gonna make you bleed so much more, Lucy.
Wendy had an idea and she thought it would make everyone feel a bit better. "Hey guys?" She wanted to tell Romeo, Happy, Carla and Lily first before she desired the guild's opinion.
"Yeah?" Romeo yawned.
"Since the grand ball thing is coming up, do you think everyone wants to do it in honor for Lucy's return? It would also get everyone cheered up!" Wendy beamed. She was proud of her idea.
"Yeah! That's a great idea!" Romeo smiled.
"Y-yeah! I think she'll love the idea!" Happy tried his hardest to stop his crying. "We'll be happy for Lucy!"
"That is a splendid idea, Wendy. How did you come up with it?" Carla asked.
"I don't know. I just thought of all the events that were close by. I forgot that the ball was like a month away," Wendy exclaimed.
"That's a wonderful idea! Everyone sure to be excited about this. You should go tell Master," Lily insisted.
"Alright!" Wendy said, cheerfully. She got up from the table and beamed as she walk towards Gramps. Everyone looked confused at how happy she was.
Natsu and the others entered the destroyed room, with Erza and Gray in the middle.
"Erza!" He rushed over to the unconscious girl lying in the middle of the floor next to Gray. "What the hell happened?!" Natsu look from Erza to Gray, to the defeated men lying around the room. He noticed Gray was bleeding in his left arm.
"Erza exhausted all of her magic power…" He stared down at his comrade, who was peacefully resting on the ground. He looked up at him, to see that Lucy was smiling at him, but her eyes were barely opened. Two kids were running behind Natsu. Must be his sister.
"Lucy!" Gray stood up quickly to give her a hug.
"Hey Gray..." Lucy accepted the hug, but wasn't able to give him an embrace back. He laid his hand on an unexposed wound and it took all of her strength not to cry in pain. She squeezed Natsu's neck and wrinkled her forehead.
"Dude. Give the girl some space. She got some injures, ok?" Gray looked back at her. She gave him a weak smile and closed her eyes. There were small purple sacks hanging under her eyes and Gray frowned.
"You ok, Luce? I can freeze the wounds for you!" Gray urged. He removed his hand from her and a thin layer of frost covered his hand.
"No. I'm fine, really." Lucy declined. She gave him an assuring smile but he was unconvinced.
"Ok…If you're sure. I trust you." He smiled and turned you Natsu
"You're ok, Flame-brain?" Natsu was beginning to sit down next to Erza.
"Yeah. I'm ok." He carefully laid Lucy down next to Erza, and let her head rest in his lap. Natsu studied her face. He focused on the curves of her face. Her cheeks were red and he noticed the small purple bags under her eyes. She must not have gotten enough sleep. He traced her cheek with his thumb. Her lips were pink and he was dying kiss her, but he ignored that feeling. He knew it would be a bad idea to kiss her. Especially now. Gray decided to the break the silence that was among the friends.
"Is that Sam's sister?" Gray turned to her, who was caring Sam on her back. She nodded as Natsu replied, "Yep. She was with Lucy!" Natsu grinned and looked at Terri. "Made things a lot easier!" Terri giggled and looked at Gray.
"My name is Gray. So your name is Terri, right?" Gray asked. Terri sat down next to Lucy and let her brother rest next to the blonde.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you Gray." she said back. He held out his uninjured arm and she shook it. She noticed the blood on his other arm and surprised that he wasn't bothered by it.
"So, you guys are Lucy's friends?" Terri smiled. She'd only known her for two weeks, but she looked up to her. Lucy stood up for her, like an older sister.
"More like family. We're all a part of the same guild!" Gray chuckled and show her his emblem on her chest. Natsu looked up and held up Lucy's hand and put it next to his emblem, but noticed that she didn't get the stamp yet. His smiled faded and laid her hand back down and didn't look up again. Terri was slightly confused by his actions, but she knew she didn't have the full story. I shouldn't ask. Instead, she turned her mind to focus on something else.
"What's a guild? I never heard of it before," Terri asked, trying her best to sound curious. It was true that she didn't know what a guild was, but she wanted to know about Lucy's past.
"You don't know what a guild is?" Gray perplexed. "There are a lot of different types of guilds, but we're a wizard guild," Gray explained. They're all wizards...
"So your guild is made up of bunch of wizards?"
"Yeah." "Lucy is a wizard!" she thought.
"Yeah!" Gray was surprised she didn't know what guilds were.
"And so those marks…" She pointed to the bird-like mark on his on his chest, then looked at Natsu's shoulder.
"It's the Fairy Tail emblem. It means that you're our guild and family," Gray said proudly, punching his muscular chest.
"Oh I get it! They're like family crests!" Terri beamed.
"Yeah! I guess you could put it like that." Gray smiled. Terri thought of her family and her family crest engraved on her back. Mom, Dad. Would you be proud of me? Of my future decisions?
Natsu looked at Lucy, like she was going to disappear at any moment. He didn't want to stop looking at her. He was drugged by her scent, how enchanting it was. But he could still smell blood. He could still smell the pain she went through in this hellhole. He watched her chest rise, then lower. Water droplets formed at the side of her head. Is she sweating? Her breathing accelerated.
"Gray!" He looked at Natsu, who was gripping her hand tightly. "Can-you-cool-her-down-or-somethin'? I-I don't know what to do!" Natsu panicked. Gray hurried to Lucy's side, and placed both of his hands on her quickly rising and descending stomach. Cold air came from his hand as he tried to cool her down. Her breathing slightly slowed, but it wasn't enough. He is an ice wizard...could he...
"Hang in there, Lucy!" Natsu tried his best to comfort her. Terri snapped out of her thoughts rushed to her side and panicked. Ok! Ok! What happened? Umm THINK TERRI COME ON! What did he do? She pressed her hands to the sides of her head and wrinkled her forehead.
"Come on! What did he do?" She screamed at herself. Gray was focused on cooling her down while Natsu watched, helplessly. She stopped thinking. Her thoughts went blank as she looked down at Lucy. The ceremony. He started it too soon. He is suppose to wait for 6 more hours. What will happen to Lucy since he started the final stage too early?
"Well, well. Terri, you've seemed to figure it out." Duke appeared on the balcony and smirked. I don't understand. He has to wait until she gives in completely.
"What did you do to her?!" Natsu demanded. Flames erupted from his hands and canines formed and grazed his bottom lip. "I said WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER?!"
"Now, now dragon boy. That's not a way to greet your superiors." Duke smirked and pointed his finger. "Don't get ahead of yourself, boy." Flames erupted from the bottom of his feet as he prepared to throw himself at Duke. "Cute~!" Duke wanted to make Natsu even more angry. He wanted to toy with her friends before their deaths. "This little bad boy needs a punishment." Duke snapped his fingers and a high pitch uproar filled their ears.
