I got Sagittarius~! I got Sagittarius~! I got Sagittarius~! I almost cheered as we walked down the streets of Magnolia. Erza was the one ignoring me now but at the moment, I was too happy to care. I got Sagittarius~! My group of loved-ones just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I got three in not even a year~! Maybe this guild thing isn't so bad as Gramps makes it out to be.
"You're off-ly happy Lushi." Happy stated. I just hummed in agreement. "But we're about to be punished." Happy stated once again but he sounded really glum about this one. I just shrugged about it.
"I get in trouble with the magic council a lot. I got myself to see each and every punishment as a new adventure." I commented as I walked down the street. "Besides, I've never gotten into trouble with anyone else, not counting the Harjion thing. So I'm kind of looking forward to this." I confessed. I could feel people staring at me. At this moment, I didn't care. I was really, truly, happy. I got a new friend, new experience, a new adventure, about ready to start another, what more could I want?
"You make it seem like your previous life was bad." Gray mocked. I turned and stuck my tongue out at him like a brat would. He chuckled at my reaction. I turned away and pouted. Natsu had stayed by my side, placing me between him and Erza at all times. I found it quite musing. Sometimes he would have to dodge people and his arm would brush against mine. I didn't mind it though.
"Lucy." I heard Erza call. I was a bit shocked that she was willing to talk to me this early. "Where is your luggage?" She growled, clearly demanding for an answer. I shrugged passively.
"Don't have any." I commented like it was nothing. The boys started shying away from us.
"I thought we talked about this already." She continued to growl. I just looked at her.
"We did, but I still don't see what the big deal is." I replied, clearly making her angry.
"She still doesn't have furniture in her apartment either." Happy stated. I glared at him. He was not making this any bit better. He saw that I was glaring at him and hid behind Natsu's leg.
"No… Furniture..?" She mumbled. Oh, great. Here it comes. "Lucy…" I heard her growl my last name under her breath. "Don't you make me bring that out." She growled. I swiftly turned to glare at her.
"You wouldn't." I challenged.
"Oh, but I would, Lucy." She snickered darkly. I narrowed my eyes at her. She just started to smirk. Eeeh, I wasn't too worried about it. If she wanted to play it this way, two can play. I made my face expressionless as I turned away with a shrug and started walking off. Thanks to my enhanced hearing, I could tell that threw her off. I just smirked as I continued walking down the path. "I got a more… Exotic dress this time and don't think I won't ask Aquarius for help either." That's when she got me. I turned to glare but something caught my eye, like something wasn't suppose to be there. I stopped walking and started looking around without moving my head. Was I being paranoid again? I looked up towards the guild, they could have hidden sniper mages—What the heck?! The guild was… no… I felt as though my heart shattered. I picked up my feet and started running towards the guild. I heard the others calling but it all just went through one ear and out the other. Please, Mavis, let me be wrong. Please, oh, please, let me be wrong! Everything else just seemed to blur as I ran past them. I need to be wrong. I can't have hurt them too. Tears were threatening to spill but I won't let them. Not until I'm absolutely sure.
What happened?! I asked everyone on the ring. For some reason, none of them would answer me. I got in front of the guild, Mira was standing there as if she knew I was coming. I skidded to a stop right next to her. I just looked up to the remains of the guild. My eyes were watering. This is bad. This is very, very, very bad. I could ear the others run up next to me. My heart was practically drowning in my gut
"Mira! What Happened?!" Erza shouted. Mira had tears running down her face, I could smell them. I heard her turn to face the others.
"Phantom Lord." She stated simply. Tears were rolling down my face now. My world was crumbling. That bastard would do anything to kill me. That mark on my hip was stinging. Crap! Not now! I turned to the near by woods and I ran. I ran and ran until I knew for sure I was out of everyone's sight, then I teleported.
The air was really dry and hot here but it didn't bother me. Since no one lived in this part of the desert, I pulled my skirt down to where my mark was showing. It looked like a scar from where someone dug a whole and started tearing my skin to shreds bit by bit but, instead of that pinkish look that scars have, this was black, the purest black but right now, there was a reddish tint to it. It stung like needles dipped in poison all over my hip and it was spreading. I fell to my knees in pain. My body felt like it was on fire as the stinging came up to my stomach. I tried taking deep breaths but it just felt like I was under water. My muscles were starting to give out as I fell to my side. The mark was getting redder and redder. The stinging was not only growing in size but also, in the strength. I started screaming from the pain. Soon there was a ringing in my ears, so loud that I couldn't even hear my own self scream.
Night had fallen now, in Fiore. I was back in the woods outside of Magnolia. My magic was extremely low, even though the moon was providing me with magic, and I stink of blood and vomit. I serious need a shower. I slowly started my way back to Strawberry Street. I needed to think of an excuse to tell everyone why I looked like hell just puked me up…
Five minutes Later…
I give up. I have a headache. I turned down Strawberry Street. My feet were absolutely numb. I can't believe I can still walk on them. I looked at my apartment. My lights were on. Natsu and Happy must be there. Well, looked like I'm not going home tonight. I slowly walked passed my apartment.
"Hey, Luce!" Natsu yelled. Crap! Natsu must have had the window open. I can't have them see me like this! I ran towards the canal and dived. "Luce!"
"Lucy!" I heard Gray and Erza yell. Crap! My hands were in the water all the way up to my elbow when I felt hands around my feet. I looked back and saw Natsu holding my feet, Gray holding Natsu's feet, and Erza holding all of us up. My eyes were tearing up again. Why did they have to want me to stay so bad? Why couldn't they just let me go? They'd be safer that way.
"Happy, grab Lucy!" Erza shouted. I felt Happy grab the back of my shirt. He was more careful than usual. He carried me up to the street as Erza pulled the boys up. Natsu was over next to me as soon as my feet touched the ground. He was glaring down at me.
"What did you do that for?! And why do you smell like puke and blood?!" Natsu was yelling in a tone that told me that I have to answer him. I just took a step away from him.
"I'm going to go take a shower." I whispered but I knew he heard me. I turned and started walking towards the door.
"Answer me, Lucy!" Natsu demanded.
"Lucy. Is this another thing your not…" Gray asked but he didn't finish. I knew what he meant though. I stopped in the door way. I nodded my head once before going on in.
"What are you talking about?" Natsu demanded for answers still. I hope Gray will tell them. I don't think I can go through that again today. I went on up stairs, falling a few times since my legs were still weak. I went straight for that bathroom and stripped. Virgo appeared, with a sad look in her eyes, placing some pajamas on the sink while taking my dirty clothes.
"Your furniture is ready to transport, Princess." Virgo stated before disappearing. Her voice was apologetic. I just ignored her for now. Once the water was done in the tub, I got in, bring my knees to my chest. I'm sure Erza was going to join me. That was her thing since forever. I quickly scrubbed the filth off of me. I hated it when the mark acts up like that. It always grow a half an inch every time. I want the damn thing gone. Erza came through the door as soon as I was able to bring my knees back up from the scrub. She had this apologetic, determine, look on her face.
"Gray told us." She stated simply as she equipped out of her clothes. It didn't take her long to join me in the tub.
"Thank Mavis." I mumbled.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked. I looked at her eyes. She seemed upset.
"Because, I try to forget that I'm technically a prisoner." I replied. I looked down to my knees. "I'm sorry." I apologized. I brought my forehead to my knees. The image of the guild in shambles like that still burned in my eyes.
"What for?" Erza asked. She wasn't being judgmental, she was simply curious.
"The reason why the guild is destroyed… is because of me." I stated.
"Why would you say that?" She was still curious. She might act like the older sister at times but she still had the curiosity of the younger sister. I looked up at her now. There wasn't even a judgmental look on her face. Erza was just so pure at times.
"The master of Phantom Lord wants me dead. He must've found out I was staying at Fairy Tail." I told. I could hear the boys eavesdropping on us.
"Why would he want you dead?" I could literally hear her confusion. I almost giggled at it. There was only a frown though. I looked back down to my knees. The tears were back in my eyes.
"He was the one… My fam… He…" I was choking on the memories. I silently cursed myself for still not being able to say the word. I could feel Erza's anger.
"He. Did. What?" She growled.
"If the magical council knew… I honestly don't know what they'd do." I laughed darkly at it.
"Than why haven't you told them?" Erza asked sharply. I smiled slightly.
"By orders of the Celestial King, I am to capture Jose, so he can be trailed in the celestial world. Punishment will be chosen by the celestial spirits themselves." I said robotically. I've repeated it to myself several times before. It has always given me something to look forward to. Now… I'm not even sure…
"Then Fairy Tail will help you." I looked at Erza in shock. "You're a member of our family, even if you still don't carry our insignia. We protect our family." That did it. Tears were rolling down my face but I was smiling. Erza was smiling back at me. "A smile as always looked better at you." She said. I knew it was to signal the boys that I was smiling.
"Shut up. You sound cheesy." I teased. She rolled her eyes.
"And Comet wasn't?" She asked sarcastically. I pouted at her.
"Hey! I didn't come up with it!" I yelled defiantly. Erza giggled at me. There was a white light to the side of the room.
"Princess, since you are in a better mood, are you ready to have your furniture transported?" Virgo asked, being back to her normal self. I nodded my head.
"I'll be out in a minute to help." I replied.
"You're transporting furniture?" Erza asked. I nodded my head again.
"We're had a room prepared for our Princess just incase something happened to her." Virgo explained. Erza just nodded her head in understanding. Erza got up and got out of the tub. When her back was facing me, I stood up and equipped into a long towel that covered the mark. My legs were shaking. "Make sure to get a lot of rest tonight, Princess." Virgo ordered. They knew how I get after one of those episodes. Erza already equipped into a towel as well.
"Yes, mom~." I teased. Virgo rolled her eyes before disappearing. I walked over to the sink and put on my underwear and my shorts before letting the towel drop.
"How come you do that?" Erza asked. I looked at her for a minute before putting one of dad's old shirts on.
"If I didn't, you would overreact." I replied. Erza seemed skeptically for a moment but she dropped the subject anyways. Thank Mavis. Now, to get my furniture so Erza and I can stop fighting. I went to take a step but my legs finally gave out. I glare at them. "Traitors." I growled.
"Lucy! Are you alright?" Erza asked worriedly. The boys immediately came over to see what was happening. I scratched the back of my head in embarrassed.
"I'm fine. This just happens like once a year. At most." I clarified. Everyone but Natsu seemed to buy it. His eyes just hardened. I watched Natsu closer. He was mad. That much was for sure. He sighed though, before getting closer to me. He picked my up bridal style. If my legs weren't in such bad shape, I would Lucy Kick him. I settled for glaring at him. The others were giving us the 'knowing' looks but I ignored them. There was a white light in the room again.
"Where would you like your bed, Princess?" Virgo asked.
"Under the window. Don't call me Princess." I said simply.
"Nice to see you Princess Lucy." Taurus greeted. I glared at him now.
"What part of 'Don't call me Princess' do any of you NOT understand?"
"All of it." They both said in sync. I growled at them.
"I'm not a D.I.D. desperate enough to marry a man that probably couldn't get laid in his home town." I sassed. Everyone was laughing at me now. "What? That's how all those stories turn out!" They were all laughing even harder. I was honestly surprised that Natsu hasn't dropped me yet. I just crossed my arms and pouted. I continued pouting as they calmed down and refused to speak to any of them. Virgo and Taurus put the bed where I said it should go.
"Where do you want the rest of the furniture?" Virgo asked. I glared at her but I refused to speak. She sighed. "You do realize, that's not why we call you Princess, right?" She asked.
"Whenever you call me Princess, it makes me feel like your obligated to be my friend. Not that you want to be." I mumbled. Everyone just stayed quiet. I didn't know if they heard me or not. We've already had this argument before and it didn't end well. I knew though, that Natsu heard me. He would diffidently ask questions later.
"We'll just put your room like you had it in the celestial world." She said. I didn't care. I'll rearrange it later. There was a poof sound. I wanted in my bed. I'll wait though. I didn't want to be rude and just go to bed on everyone. Once Virgo and Taurus put everything where they wanted, they left without saying good bye.
"Lucy. That was rude." Gray scolded.
"We've had the same argument before. I was being polite this time by keeping my mouth shut." I remarked. "It'll be normal by morning."
"Gray, just leave her be. She has her reasons." Natsu defended. Gray and Erza was glaring at him now. Happy just looked confused. I reached my arms out to Happy, letting him know that I wanted to pet him. He didn't hesitate to come to me.
"And what reasons would that be?" Erza was almost growling now.
"Luce just said that when they all her princess, it makes her feel like they're just obligated to be her friend. Not that they truly wanted to be." Natsu repeated. "Then she just told us that she already told them that. It clearly didn't go well." I started petting Happy. He was enjoying the attention but he looked at me sadly anyways.
"Then I demand that you get new spirits." Erza told. I glared at her now.
"I'm not like them. I don't give up on people because they change, Erza." I told in a tone that hopefully told them to drop it. They didn't looked pleased by it. They did drop it though. I leaned against Natsu's shoulder. I was really tired.
"Lushi." Happy looked at me in worry. I smiled at him in reassurance.
"Come on! It's time to try out Luce's bed!" Natsu shouted before rushing to my bed.
"Natsu!" Happy and I screamed. He jumped unto my bed.
"This bed is awesome! It's really comfortable! Happy try out the bed!" He suggested. Natsu didn't put me down though. Happy jumped down and started grinning.
"It is comfortable! Lushi, can we spend the night more often?" Happy asked. He had that look on his face as if he was a kid asking for candy. I pouted.
"Wouldn't matter what I said anyways, you two would probably show up anyways." I stated. Natsu and Happy just started grinning. They knew I just excepted the fact that they would do that.
"Sorry to interrupt your all's family moment, but what did you mean earlier when you said that it's your fault that Fairy Tail was attacked?" Gray asked. I couldn't see Gray due to the fact that Natsu apparently isn't going to let me go.
"It was because of something their master did before he became a master… I was the eye witness… They deserve a better master." I stated. I heard Erza snort at that.
"Their master deserves to be punished." I heard her mumble. I refrained from rolling my eyes. I'm pretty sure that she believes that everyone deserved to be punished for something. Natsu was turning us now so we were facing them. He didn't drop me though, he placed me in his lap. His arms around my waist. I was kind of confused why he did this but I was too tired to care.
"What did he do?" He asked. I stiffened. Erza looked at me with worry. They did deserved to know. Their guild was put on the line because of it but…
"When I tell you this, if I see even an ounce of pity, I will kick your ass." I threatened. They all looked at me in shock. I just let my eyes fall to my lap. I really despise pity. Seeing as though no one said anything, I told the same story I told Erza. Natsu's grip just continued getting tighter and tighter. I knew Natsu would get mad. Gray's though, was still in shock. Happy's was sad. Erza was guarded. I continued telling my story though. When I finished, even Happy looked mad. "I have to be the one to fight him though." I said, warning Natsu that I was to fight him.
"I heard what you told Erza in the bathroom. I can respect that." Natsu stated. "I want to fight Gajeel though."
"Are you crazy?! He's one of the Ten Wizard Saints! He's completely out of our league!" Gray was shouting.
"Can we not argue about this?!" I shouted over everyone. "I'm tired. I just want some sleep." I stated. Gray turned to grab one of the covers that Virgo left out and laid down on the couch. Erza, knew I meant that I didn't want any more arguments, took the other cover and went to the other side of my couch. Now I was glad that I had one of the ridiculous L-shaped couches. Both of them fit and still had room to spare. Happy went up to the pillows and laid down. Natsu bounced up and pulled the covers back in one swift movement. He pulled me to his chest. Happy looked a bit sad, so I pulled him next to me as if he was a kid. I fell asleep almost immediately.
Everyone was gathered at the south end of the park, surrounding a large tree. It was weird. Not a lot of people gather around like this in Magnolia.
"Happy, can you see what's going on?" Natsu asked. Happy got a little higher in the air.
"Shadow Gear." He gasped before flying towards the tree. I looked over at Natsu. There was a worried look to his face but he went to the tree as well. I watched as Erza and Gray followed behind Natsu. Something in my gut told me to turn and run. That I wasn't going to like what I see. For the first time, in a very long time, I ignored my gut and followed behind the rest of them. The crowd seem to split for us to pass through. I smell blood. A lot of blood. I raced in front of everyone. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw what everyone was looking at.
Levy… Droy… Jet… They were all beaten and stapled to the tree. There was a lot of blood coming out of them.
"No." I gasped. I jumped up to levy first. I grabbed the staple at her feet and pulled it out before going to the staples on her hands. Tears were running out of my eyes and I could barely make out a thing. Soon Levy was down before I went to Jet. Some of the guild members were helping me get them down. I barely saw the elf watching me but I didn't care. When everyone was down from the tree, I looked more closely at their wounds. Levy just had wounds for show. There was no real damage, like Jet's and Droy's. They were… More careful with Levy… "Is this the same metal as the metal that damaged the guild?" I asked as I looked at Erza. She raised a brow at me but nodded nonetheless. That doesn't make any sense. "This… Gajeel… What are his morals?" Erza's eye brow went even higher. The other guild members seemed interested in my questions as well.
"Why?" She asked.
"Some just isn't adding up." I simply stated. His smell is all over her too. Did her already claim her? They were fighting though. Aren't fairies and phantoms enemies.
"What isn't adding up?" The elf asked this time. I continued pairing wounds from the boys to Levy. I shook my head.
"Everything." I paused for a minute. I didn't care if I wasn't making any sense at the moment. "I need more information." Why would he do something so drastic?
"Luce?" I don't like the way this Gajeel dude smells. It's weird, especially when it's all over my best friend. I looked up to Natsu. He was silently asking for answers. I gave him a look that said I'd tell him later. He dropped it for now. "Let the medics do their job." He said. I nodded my head once before walking over to stand next to Natsu. Erza walked up next to me.
"You took that better than I thought you would." She stated. Natsu gave me a weird look. I ignored him for now.
"Like I've been trying to tell you; I've moved on." I told.
"Then why haven't you told anyone about it?" She continued asking.
"I enjoy the privacy." I lied. I knew if I told them, they wouldn't believe me. A magical change that drastic would've morphed the body.
"Lucy." I hear Happy call. "What are you thinking about?" He asked.
"Wondering how to get rid of a head ache." I lied again. I did have a head ache though. Blood always did that to me. I felt two hands touch my head. I came back to the reality world and saw Natsu touching my temples with his thumbs. I could feel the warmth of his hand spread throughout my head as he started messaging. I closed my eyes and smiled. This felt amazing.
"Comet." Erza snickered.
"Keep teasing Erza. You keep forgetting, I'm not afraid to tell Mira about yours." I blackmailed. I heard Erza's heart speed up. She was blushing. Natsu stopped messaging my head. I opened my eyes and saw him bring his lips next to my ear.
"Now you owe me one later." He whispered. I tensed up when his breath tickled my ear.
"Why are Erza and Lucy stuck like statues?" I heard Gray ask. Natsu just smirked and shrug. Happy looked amused but confused.
"They were talking about comets or something." Natsu replied. How the heck does he expect me to give him a message? Is he crazy? Scratch that. He is but still. Wait… Where does he expect me to message him?
"This means war." I heard the elf growl. That pulled me out of my weird thoughts. I blame Natsu for this. The old man does realize that this is my fight, right? Forget the fight for a moment… How do I get Gajeel to tell me why? Man… I'm going to be busy for a while.