Fairy Tail and its characters belong to Hiro Mashima. Image belongs to its rightful owner.

Chapter 10

Stop!

It was about 9 o'clock after returning home from the guild. We were held up by Gray because he discussed some issues and more information with Erza. The Master had also returned from the council meeting and was updated with what was happening. Concerned with what had been arranged, he had asked to have a private meeting with him. I walked towards him, while everyone else walked away to give us privacy. He wanted to make sure that I was okay with me being the target for a while longer until we captured Edaphos. Of course I said yes, but everyone reassuring with me made me more and more hesitant, but there was nothing I could do. It was my duty.

The walk home that night was a little more lively. Nefriti was skipping along beside me and Petra and Gray were chatting away in the front. I couldn't make out what they were talking about most of the time but I did over hear them laugh at the comments they exchanged. I tried listening a little closer and faint signs of Natsu's name kept popping up. They were apparently making fun of him and teasing the fact that he is short tempered.

It was nice that Petra and Gray were bonding, but that was the wrong reason to bond over, so I decided to speak up. "You know, he's not as bad as you guys put him out to be…" I said a little loudly but hesitantly. They both looked back at me and started to laugh even louder.

"That pyro is nothing more than a ball of disaster." Gray said between his laughter.

"I don't know him that well, but he is very unstable and irresponsible." Petra added.

"Sure he might be all that, but he is a good person. He's been out chasing Edaphos with everything he's got and almost caught him. He's the reason we have more information on him. What has anybody else done?" That statement shut them both up. "Gray, I know you guys always fight, but you guys are actually really good friends, and that is not what friends do." I said to Gray with a rather comforting voice, trying not to make it sound harsh. "And Petra, he is actually an amazing wizard. He has done so much and saved me so many times that I can never doubt him. I trust him, ever since I entered the guild." After I finished my sentence, his eyes widened in amazement. I guess he didn't expect such a speech out of no where.

There was a moment of silence until Petra finally spoke. "You're are completely right, Lucy. I apologize for my rude behavior." He said in a kind voice.

"Yeah, I guess I'm sorry too…" Gray trailed off, obviously trying to hid the fact that he really was sorry which made me giggle a bit.

"Its okay. Let's just keep going, it's getting rather late." I smiled sweetly at the two boys.

We finally reached my home and entered through the door. I headed to the kitchen with the intention to cook for everyone which they all gladly appreciated. It took about forty-five minutes for the pasta to boil and the sauce to cook. As soon as I turned around to serve the table. Gray was passed out on the armchair, as well as Nefriti. The sight was adorable it made me smile. Petra was sitting at the table politely smiling back at me as he patiently waited for the food.

"They sure seem to be comfy." I joked to him.

"Yeah, they both said they were tired, so I told Gray I could take the first shift. He looked over his shoulder in order to have full view of them. Nefriti then climbed up on him because she saw his necklace and looked interesting. The minute she did, she fell right to sleep." He said and turned his attention back to me.

"Oh wow, I can't believe I missed so much." I laughed.

"So, what's for dinner?" He asked with excitement.

"Pasta!" I played off with a 'tada' effect.

"Delicious. Come, sit!"

I placed the plates in front of each of us and served the pasta. Bite by bite, our food began to run out and our conversation grew more interesting with every word. I was surprised the two sleeping didn't wake up at our loud conversation. We talked about our lives before they drastically changed. I told him about all the adventures that Fairy Tail and I went on and the dangers that we faced. I never told him about my childhood or my family problems, but I did mention that I had also lost my parents. Although all the trouble and losses that we had both experienced in our lives, it was nice to just unwind and talk about the positives.

"Wow, you are just…" He said with amazement that caught my attention. "...amazing." I slightly blushed at his statement but couldn't respond but with a single nod, indicating I accepted his compliment. I quickly got up from the chair and started cleaning up the dirty dishes from the table and headed for the sink to start washing, but to also avoid him. I was too embarrassed. Especially after that kiss we shared the night before.

I opened the faucet and let the water run for a bit until it was hot. I poured dish soap onto the dirty plates and started scrubbing. I was too frazzled by the thought of Petra kissing me and complimenting me possibly flirting with me, I didn't even realize that he was right behind me. Before I could react, He was leaning over me, his hands wrap around me and his lips kiss my neck, making me shiver at the action. "Stop." I whispered to him, trying not to make a scene, but he continued. From a light peck, it evolved into a hickey and his hands began to pull up my shirt ever so slowly. I asked him to stop again but a little louder and a little more force into my voice but he still didn't listen. He sucked harder on my neck, feeling the blood pound against my skin, and my shirt was well about off before I turned forcefully and dropped all of the plates, all shattering on the kitchen floor. "I said stop!" I practically yelled.

He backed away a bit from the push I gave him. A second past and I pulled down my shirt and placed my hand over the hickey that possibly already formed on my neck and looked at him a bit annoyed. That annoyance instantly turned to fear as I saw his expression turned to that of anger. "Petra…?" I hesitantly called out to him, but in a matter of an instant I was pushed against the fridge.

I let out a scream of pain at the sudden impact, but what made want to scream in fear was his voice yelling in my ear. "What did you say to me?" The grip around my wrists became tighter and the ringing in my ear still lingered. I open my eyes ever so slightly and looked over at Gray who was still sleeping peacefully on the armchair, with Nefriti no where in sight.

I wondered why he had still not woken up despite all the ruckus that was going on. I looked up at Petra once again and saw that he was staring at me in complete rage. "What did you do to him?" I asked sheepishly, trying not to drive him over the edge.

He slightly laughed before returning back to his serious face. "He's still alive, for now. But that depends on you."

"What do you mean?" I wondered why Petra was acting this way. Why was he so aggressive? Why was he threatening me? And why did he look so evil. Not wanting to believe it was true I still asked him, "Are you…" I hesitantly began to ask, "working with Edaphos." There was no other real explanation, but I still didn't want it to be true.

"If I'm working with Edaphos?" He asked my own question. With a snicker he shook his head. "I'm not working with him. I AM him." My eyes widened in horror. He was the murderer all along. He was Edaphos.

"What?"

With a quick move I was facing forward onto the fridge and my arms were behind my back, held firmly by him. He leaned into my ear and spoke with a soft voice that seemed even more intimidating. "And you are finally mine!"

He pulled me off of the fridge and led me towards the bed. Just as we were crossing the living room, I saw gray still passed out. I called out to him desperately "Gray!" over and over again, but he never responded. I was forcefully pushed onto my bed as Petra hovered over me, each of us facing one another. "What do you mean, I'm yours?" I asked scornfully.

"They laid out the bait, and I just took what was mine." He snickered.

"So what? Got lonely and want a girlfriend now?" As soon as I finished my sentence, I started to kick and punch uncontrollably hoping to catch him by surprise, but he was unfazed by my action and pinned me down effortlessly.

"How did you know?" He said with a slither. "But I don't play the loving boyfriend part."

"Brother?" Both of our attention turned to the little red headed girl in the middle of the room who seemed to had just gotten out of the bathroom.

"Nefriti!" I said in relief.

"What are you doing brother?" Nefriti asked in total confusion of the situation.

"Just playing games, Nefriti." Petra said as he slowly got off of me and releiced me from his hold.

"Yeah right, you jerk!" I quickly pushed him off and ran towards the little girl and held her in my arms protectively. "Don't worry Nefriti. I'll keep you safe from him."

"Lucy?" the little girl questioned.

"You won't get away with this." I threatened the murderer that was standing in the middle of my home, acting as if nothing had happened. I grabbed on to my keys, ready for any sudden movements from him.

"What do you say, Nefriti? Wanna play too?" I raised my eyebrow at his peculiar response when I looked back at the little girl and saw that she was completely still and unresponsive.

"Nefriti?" I asked for a response.

There was moment of silence when she finally spoke. "Yes big brother."

At the shock of her response, I began to take my hand away from her but was quickly tamed by a form of solid that wrapped around my wrist. I look back at the little girl and saw an evil gleam in her eye as she stared back at me. From behind her back I noticed something sticking out that connected to my hand. She was a manipulator of earth I thought to myself. Rustling the keys with my free hand, I was desperately looking for Virgo's key, thinking that it was appropriate for this situation. The clinking of the metal grabbed the little girls attention and quickly reacted. Within an instant, my free hand was also restrained and pulled away from my belt pocket, my keys slipping from my fingers. The restraints started to grow up my arm and onto my shoulder weighing me down so much that I fell hard on the ground.

As the solid formed down my back I looked up at the man in front of me. He leaned down to me and met my gaze with a triumphal grin on his face. "Well done, Nefriti." He raised his hand and gently caressed my jaw with his finger and ending to my chin, raising it ever so slightly. "Do not worry, it will all be over soon."

I wanted to break out of my stone cage but I all of a sudden felt weakened. The air grew thin and my vision started to blur. "You… won't get a-... way… with…" Next thing I knew, everything went black.

I was passed out, but there were moments where I could hear voices around me. I desperately tried to snap out of it, but I felt exhausted. There was a steady breathing of a child near by and two male voices that were in conversation."

"Do not worry. I will stay with them." The voice belonged to Petra. I recalled what had happened the night before, but even my anger could not wake me.

"Dude you've been up all night. Let me stay behind with them. Damn, I can't believe I just passed out like that." It was Gray. He had awoken and sounded okay, which relieved me but I was still aware that he was in the room with a murderer with me unconscious.

"Do not worry. I am perfectly fine. You needed your rest. I will simply receive mine tonight. They were exhausted and I think because of this unfortunate condition that they both experienced, I think we should let them rest." All because of you.

"Yeah I guess you're right." No! Don't listen to him! "Well I do need to go to the guild and help Erza with any new information people came up with last night. It's a good thing we weren't attacked again." Footsteps walking away could be heard, making me feel completely helpless. No! Don't go! "I'll see you at the guild. Come over as soon as they wake up. Alright?" Gray said as he opened the front door and stepped out, his voice sounding fainter and fainter.

"Certainly." And with a sound of a closing door, my only hope disappeared. "How long until she awakes?" Petra asked with a totally different voice from before.

"Should be another hour or two." To my surprise, the voice of Nefriti was closer that I had suspected. She must had been laying right next to me the entire time. "The Ice Man, was only gassed forty-five minutes before she was, and because of her more delicate body and low endurance, it would take more time for it to wear off."

"Excellent!" He said, coming closer and closer.

"Did I do well, brother?"

I felt a hand brush of my hair to the side and a body sitting right next to my laying one. "Very well indeed."

hahaha! Bet most of you saw this coming. I'm pretty obvious when it comes to this stuff. But hey we are here now, and this is just the beginning! ;D

Sooo... can someone tell me what they think that special announcement in the next chapter of Fairy Tail is all about...? I'm just so anxious and eager to know! Hiro Mashima! You must tell me!

Anyway I must go now! Favorite, Follow and Review! Byeeezzz

-Avgi