The guild was quiet again today. It was unnatural for Fairy Tail, and it just felt . . . wrong.
Makarov slumped down in his office chair. He'd slept in it last night and there was a terrible kink in his neck now. Judging by the faint light it was morning. Makarov rubbed his face with tired old hands; even though he'd slept the whole night through, he felt more tired than ever before. The news from last night weighed heavily on him, as it would on the others, no doubt. He resisted the urge to cry. Thinking about it here, alone in his office, made Makarov's heart break all over again. Why? was all he could think. Why would someone do such a wretched thing? Despite how much he wondered, the old man wasn't sure he truly wanted to know the answer. There couldn't possibly be one that satisfied him. The only thing capable of doing that now was revenge. He knew that was wrong, but at the same time, he had never been so consumed by a desire for it. He wanted to do wicked, horrible things to those people.
Makarov often found himself conjuring the most cruel and painful means of killing a person. It frightened him, when he was alone with these thoughts. He had always thought himself a kind and jovial person. But recently, he was starting to question that.
The old man could take any number of beatings himself, but touch his children and he would fight to the death. Suddenly, Makarov found himself wishing he'd been in Natsu's place. He would suffer all the humiliation, all the beatings, all the things if it meant he could see his child smile again. But it was too late for that.
Much too late.
He had failed; as guild master it was his job to lead these mages, to protect them. Makarov slammed his fist on the desk and let out a cry of frustration. His eyes squeezed shut, a wall against the tears. His heart was being constricted by bitterness.
There was no end to this suffering in sight.
It was always worse when Makarov let himself be alone. But at the same time, he couldn't bear to be around the others for long. He was their Guild Master, he was supposed to be strong for them. Yet he felt as weak and helpless as a newborn baby. Every moment was a fight to keep the tears in check. He couldn't let them fall in front of his children, so he stayed in his office, hiding in his own grief.
Makarov sighed again, he hadn't eaten in a long time and it was starting to wear on him. The old man dreaded having to go out and face the guild, but he needed his strength. He made his way to the door when it swung open violently from the other side. Mirajane burst in. Her voice was breathless with panic, "Master Makarov, it's the council!"
The old man was suddenly filled with dread. He followed Mira quickly from the office, all traces of hunger gone. The whole of Fairy Tail seemed gathered in the common room and Makarov could see the tips of spears poking above the masses. There was a strong feeling of unease pulsing from the crowd. It rippled like waves and was so thick Makarov felt like he was breathing it. He lost Mira somewhere on the way, but any thought of that was too far to be a concern. He shoved his way through the angry crowd, coming face to face with a circle of rune knights. They parted to let the magistrate through. He was a frog-like creature dressed in silks. His voice was curt as he addressed the old man.
"Master Makarov Dreyar of Fairy Tail?"
"Yes?"
"We have come bearing an order from Era. Natsu Dragneel is to come with us and stand trial before the Council."
Lucy blinked her scratchy eyes in the daylight. She was in the bathroom; yet she had no idea how she'd gotten there in the first place. She remembered waking up, but the rest of the morning was a blur. She'd been on autopilot, going about her daily routine without feeling anything. Lucy had no room left to feel. Her heart was caged off by grief. The news of Natsu's pain had torn fresh wounds inside her; and the scabs that had formed made her numb.
Lucy hadn't planned on going to the guild today; honestly, she hadn't planned on doing anything at all. "Why did I get up then?" she wondered.
But some twisted part of her thought it might be good to be around her grieving friends. How that might help Lucy did not know; maybe they could share in their grief, and lift some.
The spirit mage was eating breakfast when she realized it: They didn't know.
The rest of Fairy Tail had no idea the depth of Natsu's pain. Porlyusica had only told the Dragonslayer's closest friends. An angry wave of jealousy washed over her. It wasn't fair! They were being kept safe from the darkest horrors of Natsu's torture, while she would have to suffer it. To be reminded of it every time she looked at him, every time she met eyes with someone who knew. She could never tell the rest of the guild, never.
Lucy had known that the road to Natsu's recovery would be hard, but she never could have imagined pain like this.
Lucy picked up her bag and house keys, heading toward the door. She was still going out. Despite the jealousy she now felt, she couldn't bear to stay home alone any longer, trapped in this bottomless grief. Lucy opened the door and stepped into the street, fighting back tears.
When Lucy arrived at the guild, she was shocked to find a crowd gathered at the front. It seemed like the whole guild was present, packed together and making the air too hot. The atmosphere was tense and wary, all with an undercurrent of fear. Lucy was immediately filled with all three.
She couldn't see over anyone nor draw any information from the mutterings around her. She spotted Mirajane a few yards off.
Lucy edged toward her,"What's going on?" Mira's blue eyes locked on her, full of fear. Her voice was a hoarse whisper, "It's the Magic Council - they want to take Natsu away!"
Panic and horror surged through Lucy. She wrestled to the front of the crowd. Her heart was racing, drowning out all other sounds. The guild had formed a circle around a group of rune knights before them. They were all dressed in the same, fine blue robes and wielded tall spears. The magistrate himself, a frog-like creature, was at the head of the group in a dark coat and white skirts. He stood across from Makarov. The two of them were arguing heatedly. The Master was flanked by Erza and Gray, and Lucy went quickly to their side. Lucy couldn't make out what they were saying over the sound of her own heart. But she could see enough. Makarov's neck was steadily growing redder and Gray looked ready to attack the rune knights. The magistrate was clearly frustrated too. Lucy could make out clenched fists within his sleeves.
Happy appeared in a sudden panic, digging his claws into her boot. The blond mage started and looked down at his terrified face.
"Lucy, please don't let them take Natsu. . !" He was on the verge of tears and his voice trembled. She knelt and patted his head, speaking quietly, "Don't you worry, I won't let them do anything. Go stay with Natsu okay?"
Happy gave a tiny nod. She felt the same fear the cat did. It was churning inside, making her feel sick. They couldn't take Natsu - she wouldn't let them! They would have to kill her first.
She looked at the Council magistrate, who had begun to speak again.
"By order of the Magic Council, Fiore Branch, Natsu Dragneel is to be taken in for questioning regarding his capture at the hands of the unnamed Dark Guild." He had a high, tremuluos voice, but full of authority.
Makarov sounded old and tired in comparison. "I cannot allow that! He is no condition to stand before the council!"
"Wether you can allow it or not it is an order from Era!"
"And as Master of Fairy Tail I refuse! What right do you have? He is not the criminal here!"
The magistrate looked ready to scream. "It does not matter if he is the criminal or not. The council has decided to question him. You will hand Natsu Dragneel over to us right now - this is an order!"
Lucy was cold. How could this be happening? And could they really defy the council like this? Suddenly, she was afraid for all her friends in the room. The council was the supreme magical authority in this land, and they were deadly powerful. She wondered how far would they go to get their way.
What might the council do to them?
To her?
Lucy was pulled from her thoughts when a voice to her left spoke up.
"Do you have a warrant stating this order?"
All eyes locked on Erza. She had spoken calmly, but her voice carried immeasurable weight. The magistrate only glowered in response. Lucy blinked, recalling a law that had been passed only months ago. It had been all over the news.
Without an official warrant, not even the highest seats of the council could take invasive actions against a guild or its members. Lucy might not have known the specifics of the law, but she knew that much. Erza had trapped the magistrate and he knew it.
"Without a warrant you do not have the rightto take Natsu, regardless of your orders."
The magistrate was absolutely furious. A vein in his neck was throbbing and red crept up beneath the green of his skin. The rune knights shifted uncomfortably in their heavy armor. The room was even warmer now, and the atmosphere pressing down like a lead weight. Erza and the magistrate stared each other down. The two locked eyes for a long moment, before the councilman seemed to deflate. He cleared his throat. "Very well, the council's order will be withdrawn - for now. We will return shortly, with a warrant in tow."
His eyes connected with Makarov's, but his threat reached everyone in the room.
"You best be ready by then."
After the council's men had left, Makarov called a meeting of the five of them. He, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and Happy were gathered in his office. The air was still tense and heavy, even without the council's presence. Gray broke the silence with a frustrated growl. "Take him in for questioning, what's that even mean? He's not the criminal here!"
Lucy thought back to the confrontation in the guild hall. It had seemed like the magistrate was accusing Natsu of some crime . . .
Makarov shook his head tiredly. "They will want to know as much as possible about that Dark Guild. Their new Chairman, Doma, is obsessed with the destruction of all illegal guilds. Not to mention they dislike Fairy Tail, particularly Natsu," Makarov whispered.
"And it struck me as odd that they didn't have a warrant," Erza mused. Makarov nodded, "We may still have some friends in the council. . ."
Lucy quirked an eyebrow, she didn't understand. She thought the council hated Fairy Tail.
"You mean . . . Yajima?" Gray asked.
"Yes. I believe he sent them without a warrant in the hopes that we would catch it. He meant to send us a warning."
"A warning?" Lucy swallowed a thick knot of fear. She knew how powerful the council was, and that terrified her the most. How long could they resist until Natsu was taken by force? A hundred, terrifying scenarios ran through her mind. She saw the Dragonslayer being taken away, she saw him in prison, her friends crying,
Fairy Tail being destroyed.
Lucy was suddenly aware of her rapid breathing and Erza's hand on her arm. "Lucy?" The stellar mage looked down at Happy, his brow wrinkled in concern. She forced a smile and tried to ignore the tremor in her voice, "I'm alright, but, what happens next?"
Makarov steepled his fingers. After thinking for a moment, he sighed heavily. "I do not know."
The group exchanged worried glances. They were all at a loss as to what to do next. No one could have foreseen a situation like this and no one was prepared to deal with it. Natsu was not physically strong enough for the journey yet, much less mentally. And there was no telling what they might subject him to. Physical exams and interrogations were certain, and Natsu had handled neither of them well in the past.
Erza looked up suddenly, an idea stirring in her mind. "Porlyusica could help."
The group looked at her curiously, urging her on. "At our last meeting, she mentioned in passing that there were spells she had not yet tried on Natsu's mind."
"Old and dangerous spells," Makarov added quietly.
The comment dampened Erza's enthusiasm, but only slightly. "Still, we should try; Natsu is strong - if nothing else. I believe he can make it. But we must help him!" Erza had risen slightly from her chair and she sat down heavily.
"Is there anything else we can do but help?" she asked softly.
The room was silent then, everyone lost in thought, trying to think of a less dangerous alternative. It soon became clear that there was none. "Forgive me Master Makarov, for raising my voice."
The old man shook his head, "Nonsense, there would be no point to these meetings if you did not express your opinions. If the rest of you agree with Erza's plan, I will speak to Porlyusica about it. In the end, she has the final say."
He looked around the room as everyone nodded their agreement. There was nothing else they could try, and nothing short of a miracle that could make it work.
Makarov cleared his throat, "The council will return, make no mistake about that." There was fire in his eyes when he spoke again, "But by the time they do, we'll be ready."
Lucy felt her fear melt away. This was no time to be acting scared. Natsu would need everyone's strength to pull through this. The whole guild would have to stand together against the council and their hatred. Lucy could not afford to be weak. She had vowed to save Natsu, that first night they rescued him. It was going to be hard; she had already encountered horrors she hadn't thought possible. But she would never back down from this, not from helping her closest friend. No matter what. Natsu had always been there for her, and it was time she repaid him. Lucy would not give in to fear.
She was no frightened animal, but a mage of Fairy Tail!
A/N: OMG finally got this done! I'm sorry it's so short and took flipping forever, but this chapter bit and fought and kicked the whole way through. Jeez. All the reviews and followers sure inspired me to keep going though! Since we don't know too much about the government system in FT I apologize in advance if I've jacked anything up. Love you all and I'm looking forward to the next chapter! Also, because I'm desperate and shameless, follow me on Tumblr .com !
