This chapter was a slight twist, there a few parts in it that have yet to be connected but trust me they will. It was alarming at how Sting reacted *Can't tell you yet* but it was all apart of the emotion process that I needed him to feel. Not only that but Lucy's sheer determination really came through in this chapter.
I wasn't too sure how this chapter was going to pan out and if I could convey it properly.. but I will probably go over the chapter a couple more times to add more details. Hopefully I did a good job. Thanks everyone for all your support so far! WE ARE UP TO CHAPTER 10 YAY! I would like to thanks everyone that has reviewed right from the start and everyone that came in at anytime during the story. You guys have made me squeal so much with your lovely reviews.
Hiding out in the crowd, mingling with the ones that were walking to different locations. There was a desperation in her walk, trying to escape the gaze she could feel on the back of her skin. It sent a shiver down her spine as her uninjured arm went to her celestial keys, she would use them if necessary but that would give her away straight away, also the fact that being in the middle of all the innocent citizens that couldn't see the war zone they were in. She knew that she had to confront the figure; Lucy was always one step ahead.
Clawing through the crowd Lucy found a position out of all the ruckus, where neither guards or civilians were present. It was all falling into place now but these last pieces to her plan would surely be risky. There was no guarantee that it would in fact go to plan but she prayed that it did.
"Open! Gate of the twins. Gemini."
Calling her two trusting celestial twins that levitated in the sky Lucy only gave them a quick smile before nodding her head in approval, they knew what she wanted them to do. Flying away from her position Lucy waited until they were completely out of site, if she was quick enough, then her foe didn't hear or see Lucy call out Gemini.
A couple minutes passed standing in eerie silence, her heart was beating at an alarming rate. Lucy admitted to herself that her plan was going smoothly, and with the next part about to unfold, her heart leapt a little. She made sure that she would be convincing enough. Clasping her hands together that were starting to feel all the more shaky she attemped to relax her stiffened shoulders and calm a little. Heh... Sting's going to hate me for this... Just thinking the thought made Lucy sigh, all the insults she would get from him, but there was no time to stress about that as her guest had arrived.
"Oh, how very nice it is to see you today.."
Flinching, Lucy slowly turned around to face Minerva with her cold eyes set complacently into Lucy's. The sight dropped all of Lucy's hopes, that woman... Lucy was terrified of her. What she did.. how she tortured Lucy... it was something she would never forget. The woman moved in closer causing Lucy to instinctively move back, but conjuring up the courage she set firm, reaching in for a voice that had wavered.
"H-how'd you know I was here?" Lucy looked right back into Minerva's eyes, not giving away anything she knew, even though her voice cackled with a small fear.
"It didn't take very long.. to realise that you would come back in a desperate effort to save your friends. Though I did think that you would just run back weakly into their arms... it seems I was wrong." Minerva smiled at her, showing how much she was enjoying their small chat. It put Lucy on edge to come to terms that they already targeted her friends... she hoped they hadn't hurt them though.
"Let's make a deal... Miss Lucy. I'll let your friends escape from a death that awaited one of them this evening in exchange for your capture..." She had gotten straight to the point. Though in a threatening position Minerva in her nature was always proper and formal; one of the things that scared Lucy the most. Other then her truly sadistic form to slowly torture anyone with her twisted words and actions.
Lucy drove in a sharp breathe, her body was motionless... they had planned an attack that night? If she wasn't there on today... all her friends would be... Lucy's mouth quivered keeping in words that wanted to leave her lips. She wanted to show that damned Minerva wrong, that they would of survived but them Sabertooth always had something superior, a ruthless lust to destroy.. no hesitation.
Stabling her heart that was going to fall out of her chest, Lucy clenched her hands and formed a resolute decision. "How will I know you will keep your word?" She lifted her head that was starting to bend down in sorrow. Thinking through all this made her thoughts come to Sting and their exchange of not meeting up by sunset... would be an act of betrayal. She hoped that later on he would believe her words.
"Well, there is no guarantee that your friends won't be pursued in a later date... but there is no point now, seeing as our guinea pig has already arrived." Her mouth twitched into a snarl, Minerva's head slightly lifting as her black hair brushed out of her face. That woman was enjoying herself too much which angered Lucy, not that she would dare say something.
"...How about Lector? Will he be freed...?" Lucy spoke with a determination, if she showed any weakness then it would destroy everything.. only her fear should protrude to the surface.
Minerva was taken back, she didn't expect the mage to know of Lector... if she knew of that then there would be many other things that she was aware of. "How is it that you know of that?" Minerva's anger was present, her eye twitching in the slightest manner. Taking several steps forward she grabbed Lucy by the cheeks staring straight into her soul.
"I hope you haven't forgotten what happened the last time you were inside this arena... I could do all the more worse..." Minerva dug her nails into Lucy's cheeks, holding her with an inhuman grasp. Lucy's urged to get away from it, the sight coming back furiously into her eyes, everything that her body had to endure up until this time was because Minerva had beaten her.
"-I was told... about Lectors.. circumstances...- you have no need... for him anymore.. so let him go!" Even though she was clasped in Minerva's hands she was still able to get out the words. If she was going down then she'd free everyone with it.
"And how would you know if I was done playing with my toy yet? Your words are awfully suspicious Miss Lucy... not that it matters, not now anyway." There was a short silence. "Fine, I'll give that animal back to Sting.. but why is it that you care about the wretched thing? Would it be for Sting's case? Is there a certain reason as to why this.. or should I say he is so important?" Minerva wasn't letting the conversation drop, she wanted every ounce of information that she could use against the celestial mage, even if she had to delve into Lucy's heart and rip it out from underneath the skin.
""And what if I said there was... a reason..?.." Lucy couldn't stop the flow of the conversation so she just trailed along with it, her face beginning to strain with pain; the horrid look on Minerva's face was something that could kill you in a matter of seconds.
Weighing up the words Lucy had said there was a quick realisation that hit Minerva, but she wasn't going to say it out loud. A grin became present on the taller female's face and she let go of Lucy with a slight push.
"Fine.. I will grant your wish, you had better hope the Guild Master doesn't punish you for this. " Minerva stood with her arms crossed waiting for the trash to remove herself from the floor. Lucy was scared... her face was in immense pain and her body quacked to flee from the menacing figure above her, but she knew what must be done. Picking herself up from the ground Lucy shook of any remaining dirt and stood silently.
Sting had propped himself on the ground, his arms leaning on his legs that were apart. Looking up at the other dragon Slayer he awaited an explanation, one that he had been waiting on for a while now.
"Lector... is locked within the lodgings.." Rogue didn't believe in idle chitchat, saying only what was necessary and what had to be discussed. "Inside the lower chambers, where the bartender keeps his wine.. in the cellar." Rogue drove his eyes down to look at Sting who's face was full of emotions. It had dwelled many times in Sting's mind before that Jiemma had merely obliterated his partner and left him to be food for the dogs.. but now it had been proven otherwise. It was an utter relief and it swept over Sting in one huge wave.
"It seems though, that there is a key needed. There is a structural magic repellent on the cage that can only be wiped with that key. We tested just to make sure."Refering to Frosch and himself who discovered Lector was down there, they tried multiple magic skills to open the cage door but it wouldn't budge. The usual melee weapon also proved to be of no use.
Thinking thoughtfully for a moment Sting realised that he had finally regained his calm. His usual demeanour was back and he was at ease, his heart was no longer straining as it was before but there was still an upset balance.. something he hadn't yet admitted.
"What made you to switch alliances?" Sting smirked at his friend he had a new light in his eye.
"There was a change that you subsided to. It could be easily noticed... it made me think of how I didn't need the guild anymore..." Rogue's expression didn't change, he answered the question and was not going to delve further into the matter. Not that it mattered to Sting only that the trust he put in his 'acquaintance' was worth while, but it did strick interesting how Rogue made a comment of he had 'changed'. There was no way in hell he had changed. He was exactly the same... except for when he was with that damned annoyance of a girl.
Thinking of her made him turn his senses back to the blood he had smelt earlier, but it was no longer present, no longer flowing freely. That thought made him worry more about what had happened, but inside all his thoughts that were mulling over the Blonde, he recognised that he no longer had to care. He had almost achieved his goal, he was so close to it that he could easily disregard all that she said and ditch her right then and there. Not looking back for one second. It is what I should do.. His mouth twitched into a snarl just at the though but there was something that stopped him. For all that she did he couldn't be this disloyal.. he knew that and for once he felt remorse. He didn't yet want to part with that annoying presence that he found some light in.
Realising he hadn't said something for awhile he stood up. "Hmmhp.. nothings changed. Glad you could make it."
It was the only sign of appreciation Rogue was going to get from Sting's mouth, it was hard enough saying something like that, seeing as it was something he hadn't said in the past.
Roughly turning around Sting didn't make eye contact with the other dragon slayer and walked off. He wanted to find that key as soon as possible and make it back to the townhouse before sunset, his thoughts on what to do first were coming to mind... but... everything was cut short in a matter of seconds...
He stood staring for a moment, looking like as if he was dreaming. The whole scene unfolding out slowly in his mind. He had seen it only for a couple seconds though, he saw the grim face of the celestial mage, her eyes were strained on the ground focusing on every step she took. Behind her was Minerva, that damned bitch, he knew that she would intervene. Their steps seemed to echo throughout his head as Minerva looked up at him with an evil smirk, her eyes staring at him like she had won. There was no recognition in Sting's head for a moment, it twirled around before the provoking look Minerva showed him sunk in. Urging him to know what happened. Next thing he knew the two of them had walked out of his vision, exiting the T-intersection of hallways where he had seen them.
If it wasn't for Rogue who stood next to Sting, he would of cleared that damned smirking face off of Minerva's body, completely stilling that snake's existence. His breathe wasn't coming out in a normal pattern, more rough and animal-like. His eyes were filled with a hatred because he could just think of the so many damned things that Minerva was going to do to her. Rogue's hand lifted onto Sting's shoulder, tightening his fingers into his skin almost tearing into flesh to bring him back to his senses. His friend had always been to eager to outburst but the cool demeanour of Rogue had always put a stop to that.
"There will be a reason, Sting. Cool your head..." Rogue half looked at Sting and back at the hallway, he didn't quite understand the situation either but was curious to know what really happened. Walking in front of Sting, he made his way down the hallway and was ready to turn down the T-intersection to where Lucy and Minerva had gone. Making eye-contact with Sting who made a desperate attempt to reign control over his emotions, he slowly caught up to the raven eyed dragon slayer and walked to the viewing platform of Sabertooth.
When entering the area a conversation was already set out between Minerva and Jiemma; their foreboding Guild Master.
"The trash made her way back here. It was all too thrilling when I spotted her..." Holding Lucy by the hair Minerva explained how she came to see Lucy, with each passing second Lucy's hair was pulled further away from her skull causing Lucy to grit her teeth in pain. Keep it together.. I can't lose now.
Jiemma's eyes were full of an everlasting hatred towards that girl, he was ready to kill her for making such a humiliating escape from his grasp. No one should of ever been able to escape him. NO ONE. Instead he was going to make sure that she endured the most terrifying pain.. slowly.. before he took that power from her soul.
Lifting his hand, his whole being filling the viewing platform with a power that was indescribable, Jiemma calmly brought his hand back and with one swift movement slapped Lucy. The slap left a mark on her face, one that would bruise the cheek and all surrounding parts. Her eyes had widened with shock when her face was hit, the mind numbing pain went through her body causing tears to well up. The after pain was something much worse though as blood tempted to reside from her throat and out through her mouth, but keeping it in she forced herself to take the shock and deal with the pain. It was quite in Lucy's ears she couldn't hear one thing.
"You Fly. You had better know next time then to attempt to run away from me. You filth should be stamped into the earth." With those last words Jiemma spat in her face, it was lucky she had only come off with a slap. Slightly displeased that that was the only punishment Minerva pulled her along by the hair out of the room. There was no doubt they were going to confine her near that machine.
Not saying a word her eyes were locked with horror, everything depended on keeping it together but she really was scared. She had faced many enemies in the past but these guys were all set upon the torturing age; the loved their prey to die slowly.
Not facing any general direction Lucy just let herself get pulled by Minerva until there was an abrupt stop.
"Oh.. finally coming to join the party Sting... I was wondering how long it would take for you to show up.." Bringing the blonde celestial mage up to her side Minerva cast Sting a cackling laugh. He had come out of the hallways and was standing only a few metres away from the both of them. Looking at his face that was masked with horror and anger.. but also with confusion. Not being able to hold his gaze for very long Lucy dropped her eyes to the ground.
Sting couldn't do anything.. all he did was stand there and watch. It pissed him off. For some reason his body just wouldn't move. It couldn't of been from the shock, he wasn't sure what it was in particular but he didn't move an inch. When she was hit.. or when her hair was being pulled with alarming strength. Seeing Minerva's face that looked so satisfied, his body was stiff and it was at that moment, the moment where it was all too late that he couldn't just let her disappear.
"My end of the bargain is yet to be fulfilled.." Minerva whispered into Lucy's ear as she brought out a key hidden within her cleavage. Throwing it out onto the ground in front of Sting, Minerva looked at the dragon slayer behind Sting whom had connected the dots far too quickly. The key to Lector's cage..
With a small laugh coming from Minerva's mouth she didn't spare the two one last glance. She continued walking, pulling on Lucy's hair for her to follow. Looking up Lucy managed one small look at Sting who returned the look, she could see the pain emerging from his eyes and all she could do was manage a soft smile.. while he stood and stared.
There was figure in the background, that had been forgotten; watching from a distance. The two blue twins waiting until Lucy was completely gone before they executed out their orders.
So there we go... I hope you liked the chapter! You probably have many questions as to why he didn't do anything... or why she gave herself up so easily but it will be explained soon. It will seem to get a little darker again but please fave, review or follow if you like the story.
(I was also thinking of starting a Law/Nami fic (One Piece) because that pairing is all too hot. Even though there is absolute no relevance between the characters I though I might give it a shot. What are your thoughts? Thanks guys!)