Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the characters. This is a fan written, fictional story using the original characters created by Hiro Mashima.
Image credit goes to MeLikeCan on Deviantart
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The first realization that came to Lucy was that she was cold and wet. She struggled to open her eyes, but her lids felt like lead. Her head ached fiercely.
Shivering, she tried to reorient her brain and recall how she came to be where she was, wherever that might be, but all she could remember was being in a world of black water, alone.
A light breeze blew across her, and she felt that the Earth underneath her back was damp and spongy, like moss after a steady rain.
She didn't know how long she lay there trying to teach her eyes to see again, but finally, they fluttered open. It was bright, probably mid morning. She lay under a grove of trees; sunlight filtered down through the leaves and danced on ground, making the leaves shimmer in the wind. It was beautiful.
A sudden movement in the foliage caught Lucy's eye, making her jump. A small creature, barely a foot tall, cautiously sauntered out in the open, stopping just out of reach. It looked like a rabbit, but its ears weren't very long. It was chubby and walked on muscular hind legs. Its light brown fur looked soft and full, and it's blue eyes were steady and intelligent.
Lucy eyed it warily, unsure of what it was or what its intention was. They stared at each other for a moment before it turned and scampered back to its hiding place, only to return once again dragging a large leaf piled with some kind of fruit behind it.
Looking more closely, she could see that its little hands had nimble fingers, very unlike a rabbit. It continued to pull the fruit closer to Lucy, still cautious but open. It stopped within a hands reach and looked between Lucy and the waxy skinned, purple fruit, its little bunny nose twitching.
"Hello. Is this for me?" Lucy questioned unsure if her new friend could answer her. The creature bounced excitedly in place and nodded.
Lucy smiled. "Thank you." Picking up a fruit, she felt it and turned it over in her hand. A plum? She took a tentative bite and hoped it wasn't poisonous. Sweet juice burst into Lucy's mouth, and she pulled back in surprise. "It tastes like a strawberry!" Giggling, she smiled at her companion who seated himself next to her and picked up one for himself.
After eating, Lucy stood and stretched, surveying the area. A small, swift river traveled along a wall of red rock and fed into a blue, crystal clear pool. It was shallow, only a couple of feet on all sides, and deepened to four or five feet in the middle. Lucy stared into the water for several moments. Something about the pool struck Lucy as familiar, but she couldn't place why.
Breaking her gaze, she shielded her eyes and looked up at the cliff that protruded high in the sky. She could just barely make out the birds circling over head. Around the pool was flat sand stone and moss carpeting the ground. Not far away, she found a small pile of drying rope; the ends looked frayed. She looked down at her wrists and delicately touched the angry, raw places the rope had cut into her.
Her companion still stood beside her, watching her. Lucy asked, "Did you set me free?" A nod was his response. She stooped and placed a hand on the animal's back; he was soft and leaned into her touch.
Lucy's eyes filled with tears, and she whispered, "You saved my life. Thank you." She stroked him warmly. His bunny nose twitched, and he lay his small hand on her knee. She swore he was almost smiling, at least his eyes looked crinkled like a smile.
Lucy stood and hastily wiped her tears with a little laugh. "Well, I guess I should find out where I am. I have no idea, and I suppose you can't tell me." The bunny-creature shrugged. Lucy let out another laugh. The warm sun and a full belly of fruit had lifted her spirits.
"I need something to call you." Her new friend gazed back at her, amused. "Hmm. What do you think of…...Cheza?" The bunny-creature wrinkled his nose and ducked his head. "Haha! Ok, not so much, huh? What about Zeek?" He bounced up and down happily. "Ok! Zeek it is!"
Lucy and Zeek travelled through the thick woods for several hours, occasionally stopping to eat more fruit, rehydrate and rest. Looking down, Lucy asked, "Do you ever go this far away from your home?" Zeek titled his head and nodded. "You probably roam all over the valley, huh?" Another nod. "Have you seen any other humans, like me?" Zeek cowered and trembled, ducking his head.
Lucy bent in concern, soothing the animal by stroking his back. "Are they not good humans?" Zeek's only response was to recoil tighter. This concerned Lucy. "Ok, stay out of sight if we run into anyone." Zeek peeked at her with a weak nod.
They continued on their way until late in the evening, forging a path where they could. Travelling was much easier for Zeek due to his size and being accustomed to living there. Lucy's body was decorated with shallow scratches and scrapes. Huffing, Lucy announced, "I need a break." They made their way to a large boulder next to a small spring bubbling up from under the rock.
Lucy knelt and drank from her hands. Rinsing her face and aching temples with what was left over, she settled herself against the rock. She examined her many scratches and winced as she ran her hands over them. Zeek watched from a short distance. Suddenly, he bolted into the woods on all fours. The girl cried out, "Zeek, wait! Please don't go!"
She was beginning to get up and go after him when he returned with a thick, fleshy plant in his mouth. He walked the last couple steps on his hind legs and took the plant in his hands. The innards were sticky and clear. Lucy watched as he scooped up little paw fulls of the sticky stuff and treated her cuts. She jumped at first from the slight sting, but it immediately numbed and cooled the wounds. Zeek's hands were steady and gentle.
"Thank you," Lucy said to her friend. "Do you need any anywhere?" Zeek tossed the plant aside, shaking his head and holding out his hands palms up to show that there wasn't a need. Lucy watched him go to the spring and wash his hands and preen his face in the water. He shook the water from his fur and walked to Lucy's side, where he curled up and hid his head.
"Yeah, I'm tired too she remarked," petting his soft coat. Soon, Lucy's head fell to her chest, and they slept soundly.
A short while later, Zeek startled Lucy awake by jumping up in a panic. He was breathing heavily, poised on the balls of his rabbit feet and had an ear cocked, listening to sounds she couldn't hear. "What is it?" she hissed.
Zeek looked at her with fear in his eyes. He tugged at her, jumping up and down frantically, to show they should leave quickly. Lucy stiffly got to her feet, preparing to run, when a large, tan man catapulted himself through the trees and into the clearing.
Zeek squeaked and raced into the nearest brush. Lucy, not having time to hide, backed into the rock behind her.
"Lucy!" The man bellowed at her. "You witch! Where did you think you were going?!"
Breathing heavily, Lucy looked around in confusion. "Answer me!" The man continued to yell, waiting for a response from the cowering girl. He closed the distance between in just a few steps.
Nostrils flaring, he grabbed Lucy's wrist roughly.
Lucy cried out, and pulled against the man. He turned away from her, preparing to drag her away. "You will not leave me ever again!"
"Stop! Please! Who are you?!"
The man stopped in his tracks. Unseen by Lucy, a devilish smile spread across his gruesome face. He turned to her slowly, "You, don't know who I am?"
Lucy shook her head, barely breathing, "No." The man could hardly contain his wicked glee. Everything about his demeanor changed instantly. His grip softened, as did his face and voice. "It's me. Jecco!"
The woman stared at him blankly; he could hardly believe his good fortune. "I can't believe you don't know me. What has happened to you?" Jecco said sadly. Lucy studied his face, but nothing came to her.
He asked tentatively, "Do you know who you are?" Lucy sucked in a shallow breath. She was afraid. She reached as far into herself as she could, but there was nothing. No memories, no recollection. Before now, she didn't even realize there was anything to miss.
Jecco leaned forward, placing a hand on Lucy's shoulder gently. "Your name is Lucy. My name is Jecco. We are lovers."
Something deep in her chest felt uneasy at his words. It beat frantically to get out of her, panic bubbling up with the terror of not knowing. Gasping fiercely, she shoved him away, and clutched her head in agony.
The pain was blinding, and the panic overwhelming. Jecco watched her actions with a grim satisfaction. Her eyes clouded over, and her breath was ragged and uneven. He knew she would fall any moment. Patience.
Lucy looked up at Jecco, not seeing what was in front of her. A blurry image swam in her mind. It was of a man. He had pink hair and blazing, onyx eyes.
"Who are you?", Lucy breathed. She slowly lifted a hand in an attempt to grasp the image before her. Jecco's eyes narrowed, knowing she was not reaching for him. He grasped her wrist tightly, and with a final, shuddering gasp, Lucy fell into Jecco's arms. With a wicked smile, Jecco gazed at Lucy's now peaceful face.
"You will never have him, girl."
