AN: Sorry guys it took me awhile to update. Was having writers block and life is crazy! I hope you like the new chapter! R&R!
As before, I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does! Enjoy!
3 Months Later...
Ivan's P.O.V.
I stood in front my guild and looked around at them. The time had come to take my revenge, the perfect moment to destroy everything, and I would do it in front of the world. I smiled to myself, and she would be their demise.
"The Grand Magic Games are in two days, I have chosen the people that are going. We be leaving in the morning, you will win or you will suffer the consequences!" I warned them, they understood what I was capable of and left them to their thoughts. I walked toward the bottom floor of the guild, I loved the smell of fear, I thought as I pushed the door to the cells open. The deep scent of blood and mold hit my nose. I smiled and took it in, the cells were mostly empty, except for our special guest. When I reached Veronica's cell I saw her laying on the small thin mattress that sat on the floor in the corner. I smiled at the well defined scars across her back that peeked through her torn shirt.
"Veronica. The moment has come where I require your unique abilities." I see her turn towards me and slowly rise. Her eyes were void of happiness, void of any hope, and void of life... I had made sure of that. She slowly walked towards the cell door and waited. I led her to the upper floor and handed her to Flare.
"Clean her up, make her presentable for the games." I found it hard not to smile... Everything was going according to plan.
Flare's P.O.V.
Master pushed the fairy woman towards me, I caught her just to avoid a collision. I backed away with the woman and led her towards a up stairs room. Clean her up, he says. Why would he care that much about the fairy bitch... I hate her. I glared at her, she either didn't care or was to lost to noticed. I pushed her into a room and she stood there waiting.
"Well the bathrooms over there bitch..." I was so disgusted with her, but I wont defy master. Never defy master... I looked at her empty eyes, they were completely different then when we first ran across her. I felt my heart tug, I knew how she felt. What the hell? I shook my thoughts away and roughly led her in the bath room. I started the water and ripped her cloths off, they were disgusting and smelled horrible. I turned her around and put her in the bath. I started to walk away when I noticed the scars. I shook my head and sighed, walked back over and cleaned her up. She had gotten so pale, but not fragile looking just beaten down... I could see she had given up hope a while ago. I had to wash her 4 times to get the months worth of filth off, but she was finally clean. I helped her out of the tub and got her dressed. Master had requested something nicer for her to wear for the games, so I had picked a simple, dark red strapless dress that stopped just above the ankles. I put the dress and matching sandals next to the bed. I turned around to leave and saw she had unconsciously went over to the bed and laid down.
"I'll be back in here in the morning... don't even think about trying to escape." I told her before closing and locking the door.
The Next Morning...
Narrator's P.O.V.
Flare led Roni down to the main floor of the guild and stopped in front of Master Ivan. He looked her over as he walked around her.
"That will do... here, wear this until I tell you can take it off." He handed Roni and long black cloak. She slowly took it, put it on and pulled the hood over her head. She mindlessly followed Ivan to their transportation to Crocus. When they had reached their destination, Ivan was directed to the inn where they would being staying for the games. Ivan kept Roni close, he didn't want anything to spoil his plans especially anyone who might recognize her from Fairy Tail or any other guild. Her head was down as he led her and his guild to there inn, the inn keeper looked wide eyed at them when they entered.
"Raven Tail..." The man asked, his voice shaking with fear.
"Yes. Show us our rooms." Ivan demanded. The scared looking inn keeper did has he was told, and lead them to their rooms. Ivan pushed Roni into one of them. "You will stay here until I need you, you try to escape and I will hunt anyone you care about and kill them while you watch." Ivan said then turned and slammed the door. "You!" He pointed at a guild member. "You will stay right here and make sure she stays. And if anything happens to her... I will kill you myself..." The guy nodded and stood guard. Inside the room, Roni walked to the bed and laid down and stared at nothing, lost within herself. One word graced her lips and slid off with a whisper, "Laxus..." her words unnoticed. The next couple of days came and went, it wasn't until the third day of the games when a shimmer of life showed itself in her eyes.
3rdDay of Grand Magic Games...
Narrator's P.O.V.
As the games played out, as battles were won and lost, no one had noticed that one of the Raven Tail members was extremely familiar, on one except a certain runes mage. Freed has noticed from the very first day, he watched him throughout the games, but that's all he could do was watch. He didn't have proof that they did something, but he knew they did, what it was he never would guessed.
Inside the Inn...
Roni was laying on the bed in her room, her knees bent against her chest. As she laid with her back to the window, the muffled sounds of birds and laughter seeped through the closed window. She heard a deep laugh from outside that seemed so familiar, she got up and walked to the window. Her hand slowly moved to the curtain as the door behind her opened...
"Veronica. The time has come." Ivan calmly told her from the doorway. Her hand dropped to her side and she walked out of the room following Ivan, her cloak swaying behind her. She obediently followed him to the grand stadium and up to the guilds waiting area. The rest of the Raven Tail team was there, they all waited to see what the rest of day 3 battles had in store. Roni slightly raised her head as the announcer started speaking.
"Next up, let's start the third match." At that moment Raven Tail along with Roni were mere illusions to the crowd, they had been transported to the battle field inside Ivan's world looking out. "Fairy Tail B's Laxus Dreyar and Raven Tail's Alexei!"
"Laxus..." Roni unconsciously spoke.
"Shut it bitch!" Flare slapped her across the face and Roni fell to the ground, blood dropped from the corner of her month. Flare turned back to Ivan (Alexei) and Laxus watching the match start.
Roni's P.O.V.
I blinked as my eyes cleared, the darkness slowly faded. I stared at the fight in front of me, not knowing rather it was real or not, I dared not to move. A large man in gold armor was kicking the shit out of Laxus, I thought, but I blinked again and saw both of them feet in front of me unharmed. I know that Raven Tail was here, but why or how can I see them looking down at us from the balcony in the stands. All I could do was sit on the ground staring.
"What's the meaning of this?" Laxus voice was harsh and cold.
"It's a kind of illusion. The others around here can't see our real bodies, the ones that are talking right now. Nor can they hear our voices. Rather, right now they're watching illusions fighting. Well done, right? Not a single person has noticed. The spectators are watching a scene of that Laxus unable to even lift a finger." Ivan (Alexei) slowly spoke to Laxus.
I heard Fairy Tail screaming from the stands wanting him to fight for real.
"It seems like you're admired even in the guild. I wonder what your friends are feeling right now, as they watch this."
"I don't understand your intentions at all. What's the point of winning with an illusion?" Laxus asked.
"Exactly. Our aim isn't "victory". This illusion is just a smoke screen."
"Huh?" Laxus thoroughly looked confused.
"Illusions are illusions. We can change the results however we'd like. Depending on our discussion, I can even let you win."
"There's nothing to discuss. I'll put an end to all of you." Laxus's skin crawled with electricity.
I knew they were all talking but couldn't hear them. My eyes were locked on Laxus, he was alive and he was actually here. I took a breath...
"LAXUS!" I screamed but nothing happened. "What? LAXUS!" I screamed again and again but nothing. He didn't turn, nor did he seem to care. I fell to the ground... "Laxus... please... I'm here..." I cried. I looked over at Flare and reached out to her dress and my hand went right though it. "What?" I tried to move but couldn't, I was trapped. "Ivan..."
Narrator's P.O.V.
"And one more thing..." Ivan (Alexei) took off his mask. " You should know of my strength, right? Stupid Son." Ivan smiled at him.
"Shit. I figured it would be like that." Laxus looked annoyed.
"Makarov would die before he opened his mouth, but your different. Let's have you tell us, shall we? THE LOCATION OF LUMEN HISTOIRE!"
"What are you taking about?"
"You don't have to pretend, I know Makarov told you." Ivan yelled back.
"I really don't know..."
"NO, YOU MUST KNOW!"
"Well, even if I did, I wouldn't tell you..."
"You would pass up victory just to keep them safe? Then I guess the loss of an illusion wouldn't be enough... how about the loss of your love?" Ivan smiled and he waved his hand. A cloaked figured appeared just behind him. He pushed it to the ground ripping off the cloak in the process. Laxus stared at the woman that dropped in front of Ivan, her long dark brown hair fell to the side reveling the deep scars on her back. She looked up at him, their eyes locked and he saw the scar across her right eye.
"Roni... you're... alive..." Laxus stood stunned. Ivan grabbed Roni and shoved her towards Flare.
"For now... yes... it's going to be up to you for how long." Ivan smiled and snapped his fingers. Flare curled her hair around Roni's neck.
"NO!" Laxus screamed and moved towards them. As Flare tighten her hold on Roni and Laxus stopped.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Laxus screamed and a powerful blast of lighting shot towards Ivan but he dodged.
"Obra now! Take away his magic!" Laxus sped towards him and full strengthen and knocked him out.
"That's for Wendy and Carla!"
"NEEDLE BLAST!" Nullpudding attacked. One quick dodge and a kick later, Nullpudding lay unconscious on the ground.
"That's for Gray."
Kurohebi moved towards Laxus, his hands gathering sand.
"You just don't get it..." In one punch Kurohebi hit the ground ten feet away. Flare released Roni and she fell hard to the ground.
"CRIMSON HAIR!"
"LIGHTING DRAGON ROAR!" Laxus hit Flare head on and she fell to the ground. "That's for Lucy."
"Impossible..." Ivan stood stunned. He looked down at Roni and grabbed her. Her body fell lifeless in his hands. "NO! My leverage!"
"I don't know what your goal is, but I hold you personal responsible for hurting my friends!" Laxus moved towards Ivan, death glare searing into his soul.
"I WILL CRUSH MY FAMILY'S ENEMIES!" Laxus used every bit of strength and punched Ivan. He flew across the arena and hit the wall. At that same moment the illusion lifted. The crowd was stunned, Fairy Tail was even more shocked.
"What! What happened?!" the announcer yelled. "It's the guild master! It was an illusion!... Laxus is the one standing... Laxus WINS!" The pumpkin announced! The crowd went wild, everyone except Laxus. He ran over to Roni's body and held her in his arms.
"Master.. LOOK!..." Mira had seen what Laxus was holding. Makarov looked down and gasped. He jumped down to the battlefield and ran over followed by Fairy Tail. The crowd had gone quite.
Laxus P.O.V.
I held her body close to me, I couldn't feel her breath or her heartbeat.
"Roni... please...please you can't die..." I felt the guild stop behind me, as I placed her flat on the ground. "I CAN'T LOSE YOU AGAIN!" I screamed and placed my hands on her chest and shocked her. Her body lifted off the ground and fell back down.
"LAXUS!" Makarov screamed at me. He ran towards me and I shocked her again. Her body fell back to the ground a second time her eyes flew open and she gasped for air.
"RONI!" I yelled and scooped her up in my arms. I held her against my chest feeling her breathing on my neck and her heartbeat strong against my chest. I relaxed as I felt her wrap her arms around me and move closer. I could smell acai and magnolia on her skin, I breathed in and sighed. "I thought I lost you... I'm so sorry..." a tear ran down my face. I felt her move away from me and I looked down into her eyes. I could see the pain she had been though, seeing the scars made it more real.
"You did..." She finally answered and my heart dropped. She placed her hand gently on my chin and lifted my head up. "You made me survive... I know now you weren't really there, but you gave me a reason to live." I looked at her curiously.
"What do you mean... not really there?"
"When Ivan first captured me, he tortured me for my power... when I refused to help him... he tortured who I thought was you... I survived to protect you..." As she finished I saw gramps walk towards us and he fell to his knees.
"Roni... It's all my fault... I should have told you..." Gramps cried in his hands. Roni started to move towards him and fell back a little. I help her steady, she went to gramps, knelt down and hugged him.
"I will never blame you for what happened." She smiled at him and released him.
"It's good to have you back." Gramps smiled and wiped the tears from his eyes.
Roni's P.O.V.
Evergreen, Freed and Bickslow ran and hugged me, I saw the rest of the guild smile. I looked around and my eyes stopped on Kaylee and Romeo. My team let me down and I slowly walked towards them, Kaylee couldn't wait and flew towards me.
"Roni!" She crashed into me and hugged me. I rapped my arms around her and smiled.
"I'm glad to see you old friend." I smiled at her and she let me go. I turned to Romeo and knelt down in front of him. He slowly looked up at me and raised his hand to my eye and brushed a finger down my scar.
"It's not as bad as it looks." I smiled and a tear fell down his face. I grabbed him and hugged him. A breeze blew though the arena and blew my hair to the side. I heard gasps and felt a coat slide over my back. I let Romeo go and turned to see Laxus.
"Thanks." I smiled and he started to lead me off the field. I held Romeo at my side and he walked with us, unknown to me, both of them were holding me upright. The guild followed closely behind as the crowd erupted in cheers, they screamed Fairy Tail and Laxus's name. As we reached the tunnel under the stands my world went black.
Narrator's P.O.V.
Laxus caught her as she started to fall and carried her bridal style in his arms. He smiled as her head rested on his shoulder, her breath tickled his neck. He bent down and kissed her forehead.
"You will never be alone again..."
