Hey guys! It's Kytrin here today. Mslead had a 5k today, and other stuff, so she asked me to post the chapter since there's no telling when she'll get enough time to actually sit down and do this.
Real quick, there's something I'd like to mention to you guys that I brought up on tumblr earlier...
I know this chapter is one many of you have been waiting for regarding Lucy. Please try to keep things in mind from her perspective though. It's true she's being stubborn, but in this story she is the ultimate lawful good paladin. She's firmly dedicated and loyal to a cause she hasn't had any reason, until recently, to believe was anything less than righteous. Not to mention Lucy herself is an extremely loyal person in general.
Tack on her experience with Phantom and the fact that guilds, all guilds, are currently illegal and it's little wonder she regards Fairy Tail as the equivalent of being 'rescued' by the mafia. It's also little wonder her perspective and loyalties are slow to shift. Just something to keep in the back of your heads as you read. :)
As always, we love you all for your reviews! You guys rock! And...
THIS FIC UPDATES ONCE EVERY THREE DAYS: Post, Break, Break, Post, etc.
Chapter 10
Hydra
Hydra, also called the Lernean Hydra, in Greek legend, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna (according to the early Greek poet Hesiod's Theogony), a gigantic water-snake-like monster with nine heads (the number varies), one of which was immortal.
Lucy visibly relaxed as they got out of Fairy Tail's immediate vicinity without detection. Not that she dropped her guard or anything. They were still in the slums after all, and just because they'd gotten away clean for now didn't mean Fairy Tail wouldn't be after them. Still, it was a relief for her to be getting away from them, especially her lying friends and partner, at last.
She barely paid attention to the way Natsu was lagging behind her as they moved. He wasn't dragging his feet like he had going to the labs, and it wasn't like he knew the way to her safe house.
Though, he did seem to be trailing further and further as they went. She glanced over her shoulder at him, as he jogged to catch up, "Something catch your eye?"
Natsu blinked and then grinned at her, "Nothing important." He replied calmly, "How far until we get there? I'm getting hungry."
Lucy rolled her eyes, "Is there a time when you're not hungry?" She drawled in amusement, "Don't worry, it's not too far. In fact, we're nearly halfway there."
Natsu nodded and relaxed into a stride just behind her. Partly so he could watch her back, and partly so he could drop another 'breadcrumb'. However, this time the movement wasn't as subtle as he thought, and no sooner had he casually pressed his hand against a nearby piece of brick than he found his wrist grabbed.
"Natsu! What are you doing?" Lucy exclaimed in horror.
He cringed at the shock and hurt on Lucy's face. She already seemed to have worked out what he was doing without him having to answer. Flashing his eyes guiltily to the side, he grumbled a little.
"I left a trail," he mumbled.
Lucy looked absolutely stricken by his answer, and he hated that he had put that expression on her face.
"Why would you do that?" She demanded, just a hint of shrillness denoting the panic in her voice.
"Natsu, I thought you understood!" Lucy flailed her arms and poked his chest, confusing Natsu with her hand motions.
"Yeah but-"
"This wasn't part of the plan, we'll have to loop around and throw them off if they decided to follow us," Lucy squeezed her eyes shut as if fending off a migraine.
"Lucy if you just-" Natsu growled, a hint of frustration edging into his voice. But Lucy's grip on him was solid. She began to tug him again down the road as she planned a detour.
"I can't believe you did that," Lucy gave him a hurt look, "You had no right to make a decision like that. It could get us killed!"
Natsu's eye twitched and he let loose an angry growl, yanking his arm free of Lucy's grip, "And like you aren't?"
Lucy looked more surprised over how he snapped at her, the rebellious glint in his eyes boiling like one of his flames, "You're just afraid of getting hurt again so you are running away from good people!"
"They aren't good people Natsu! You've only been around for a couple of days! You wouldn't know how guilds work! You can't trust them!" Lucy snapped back at him, losing her patience with this argument.
"I don't have to know how guilds work to know good people when I see them Lucy!" Natsu growled, his patience also fraying, "I'm not the child you seem to think I am! I'm a demon. I always have been, and I never needed to be awake to know good from evil!"
He gestured back in the direction of the guild, "Those people are good! They're nothing like the bastards that cut on me and tortured me! Or your council that approved it! And you would see that for yourself if you would just open your eyes and give them a chance!"
"The council didn't order your torture!" Lucy cried furiously, "They wouldn't do something like that Natsu! I don't know who did it, but it wasn't them! The Rune Knights aren't like that!"
"Oh, so it's okay for them to use me like a weapon, but they would never order my torture?" Natsu snapped, "Is that it?"
Lucy reared back as if struck, "No! Natsu... that's not... that was completely different!"
"No it's not!" Natsu insisted, "And even if it was, it doesn't matter. I saw the papers from them in those labs. The doctors weren't exactly subtle you know. They didn't think I could make sense of what they were saying."
Lucy stopped cold at that, her eyes stopping on Natsu, uncaring of the attention they had gathered by their argument.
"What?" She breathed, hardly able to wrap her brain around what he was saying.
Natsu's voice dropped with hers, his eyes dark and hooded as he grimaced.
"The doctor, he read his orders out loud Lucy," Natsu murmured, "I had tried to warn you the day before, but the only way to separate our connection is if you die. I can then be bound to another host. One of the council's choosing."
"Someone who wouldn't care if doctors cut me open to examine my insides, not if it meant building a loyal and obedient army of weapons."
He lifted his chin, and for the first time Lucy saw Natsu looking at her with a sort of seriousness in his eyes that came from age. Centuries of power behind his hot gaze that was buried behind his confusion.
"The doctor's read their directions from the council outloud, just to make sure their staff knew what to do. They were very afraid of messing up their..." Natsu frowned and he snapped his fingers, "What's the word?"
"Specimen!" Natsu exclaimed after a moment and shrugged.
"You humans must be very desperate to go to such lengths," Natsu growled quietly. His eyes narrowed and his head canted, "You're a good person Lucy but I can't understand how you want to go back to them. Why do you want to deliver me to them so they can kill you?"
His jaw tightened and he hissed softly, "You understand that I won't let them."
Lucy felt sick. Natsu was perhaps the only person who had no reason to lie, and probably couldn't anyway. Not to her at least. But at the same time it seemed impossible. Why would the council do such a thing? How could the council do such a thing?
And in the back of her head a small voice wondered if maybe she'd been deluding herself the whole time.
Had she?
It was hard to tell. She'd joined the Rune Knights not long after her dad had died. She'd been sick with grief and regret, and had been desperately looking for a new family to fill the void left by the knowledge she was an orphan.
Had she seen only what she wanted to see?
She'd always righteously believed in the Council and Rune Knights and their work. She'd fought hard to protect the innocent so no one else would have to lose a loved one to demonic attack the way she had.
But now there was doubt breaking through that righteousness, and with it came the reminders of her own business lessons. The lessons she'd learned at her father's knee about dealing with corrupt politicians and shady businessmen. What reason did she have to think the council, as human as the next political power, was different?
She didn't. She wanted to believe they were above that, but her own common sense was telling her that reality was often very different from perception.
"I don't want them to hurt you." She whispered, hardly aware that she was talking, "I don't want to die. I just... I wanted an end to the war. Demons have been destroying humanity piece by piece for four hundred years." A tear trickled down her cheek, "I lost my father to them. I just want the killing to stop."
Natsu's eyes softened, his brow furrowing at the reminder of demons picking at humanity's defenses.
He stepped forward, hesitantly setting a hand on her shoulder. Natsu had heard Lucy talk of him before too. Over how he had a large role in what was happening in her world. The damages done to her people landed on his shoulders.
The memories were out of his reach, but the sick coiling he felt in his gut made him believe she was telling the truth.
Somehow he was responsible for what happened to her home. And perhaps even responsible for her father by extension.
"Lucy I'll gladly fight if peace is what you want," Natsu broke the silence, squeezing gently at her shoulder, "Wherever you choose to go. I'll be right at your side."
Lucy swallowed, tears stinging at her eyes. Her large, brown eyes met his and she flashed him a wane, watery smile. Hesitantly, he returned it-
-until the next words left her mouth.
"Wait here Natsu, I need to go verify what you said is true," Lucy said thoughtlessly, not even seeing how Natsu's legs locked into place.
It was clear she didn't even realize she had given an order. Her comment was casual and she was already pulling away from him, "Just sit tight! I'll be right back. I'll get to the bottom of this, I swear!"
Natsu gaped as she slipped out of his grasp and his knees already began to bend to sit down.
"Lucy wait!" He shouted at her back in frustration.
But she was already gone, thinking three steps ahead and focused on her task.
"I'm stuck," Natsu whined to no one in particular.
-::-
Gray scowled into his drink as the hour got later and later. Something was up with Lucy. He could practically taste it. She was far too contained around Fairy Tail as a whole now, and while he might normally take that as a positive sign he knew his partner better than that.
Lucy was far more intelligent than most people gave her credit for, and she had a knack for solving puzzles and strategy. Furthermore, she was good at hiding what was going on in her head from nearly everyone. Except maybe her spirits.
And with her hatred for guilds, he was starting to get worried the longer the tension strung out.
A tension that was starting to really get on his nerves.
He understood why she hated Phantom Lord. He really did. He wasn't fond of the bastards that had hurt her either, and out of respect for his partner he kept her secret safe. But Fairy Tail was not like that, and she was too stuck on her stubborn prejudice to see that.
"Gray darling," Juvia murmured, snapping his attention out of his angry thoughts, "Are you thinking of Lucy again?"
"Dunno why you're bothering." Gajeel snorted, "Little princess ain't worth the effort if you ask me."
"That's because you don't know Lucy!" Gray snapped hotly, "I worked with her for three years! Maybe she's a little too stubborn, but her heart's in the right place."
"Well it sure would be nice if she would stop acting like she's better than us." Max commented, and held up his hands when Gray transferred his glare to him, "C'mon Gray, you know it's true. She's looked down on all of us since she got here!"
Gray growled impotently at the comment. He couldn't refute it without breaking his promise, and he knew how it looked to everyone else.
"It's not what you think." He grumbled sulkily.
"So why don't you tell us already?" Gajeel asked, "Ain't like you gotta keep the secret for your undercover work now right?"
Gray shot him another glare, "It's not my secret to tell metalhead. It's hers. And I've broken her trust enough already."
"Gray!" Mira called as she rushed down the stairs, looking frantic, "Lucy and Natsu are gone! I just went to check if they needed a hand with their dishes, but their food hasn't been touched!"
"What?!" Gray exclaimed and leapt to his feet in alarm, "Show me!"
Sure enough, the room was empty. Natsu had even left behind the matches and his dully simmering drink. The gluttonous demon hadn't even touched his fire.
He frowned deeply, cursing his inattentiveness. Lucy had decided she was better off on her own. Which meant Fairy Tail would have to pack up and leave this place to avoid detection from the council. Lucy was sure to lead the Knights right to their doorstep.
And Gray had promised not to go after her. If nothing else... he wouldn't lie to her about that.
"Does anyone smell smoke?" Juvia asked curiously, her nose wrinkling up.
Turning towards his girlfriend for clarification, he watched as she walked away.
What on earth was she even talking about? Gray sighed and was about to turn his attention dejectedly back to the tray of food when Juvia let out a noise of surprise.
"Gray! Look at what Juvia found!"
Gray rushed over to join her and gaped at the handprint burned into the wood.
"Natsu..." He breathed, hope blossoming in his chest. If this was what he thought it was...
"There's another here!" Juvia called excitedly, and he rushed into the hallway to join her.
"He's leaving us a trail!" Gray grinned fiercely and kissed Juvia deeply, "You are amazing Juvia! Now we can find them!"
Jellal dropped his hand on Gray's shoulder, "We'll find them." He corrected gently, a small knowing smile on his lips, "We won't make you break your promises to Lucy."
That stopped Gray cold and he sighed dejectedly, "Yeah. That's probably for the best." He agreed, "I just hope you have better luck getting through to her than I have."
Jellal nodded and gestured for Gajeel and Erza to join him as he headed down the hall, following Natsu's trail. With luck they would find both of them before the Knights did.
-::-
Meanwhile, Lucy couldn't say how much luck she was having. She had gotten a good distance away before she realized Natsu had actually listened to what she had said and was staying away.
Of course it hit her just a moment later that he was probably howling in annoyance across the city. She hadn't exactly phrased her comment like a suggestion, had she?
Natsu didn't do patience well.
Still it was probably for the best. He didn't need to venture so close to a place that had already hurt him so badly, and possibly wanted to kill her too.
It had been foolish of her to forget so easily what Natsu had experienced so recently. Sometimes she forgot behind all his new smiles that there was something deeper running through his mind.
Until she gathered proof that the council was either the corrupt place Lucy was beginning to suspect it was, or it was as good as she had always thought.
Either way she would uncover the truth for herself.
Lucy scowled a little as she thought about just how she would find out the truth. Waltzing back into the council building by the front door was probably about the stupidest thing she could do, and would get her a one way trip to a prison cell or worse.
What she really needed was to get her hands on the records Natsu had mentioned. That would be her proof. The council seal was magical and impossible to counterfeit. If the orders had really been signed off by them then they would have the seal. And if they had the seal...
She shivered a little, sick at the idea that she'd been devoting herself to a lie, but pushed her reaction back for now. The truth was more important than her fears, and if it really was a lie like Natsu and Gray had told her, then it was better she find out now before she got herself killed.
Fortunately, she knew of several back ways into the building. Not to mention she knew the security backwards and forwards. Granted, they might've changed the patrol routes or the shift changes since she'd left, but it wasn't likely. Most folks avoided the council building at all costs. Her breaking back in probably seemed ludicrous to them.
If she timed it right she would be in and out in less than an hour.
"Please. We haven't had any customers for a week." A voice pleaded, startling her out of her reverie. She turned to find a haggard looking merchant, the owner of the shop behind him most likely, pleading with a group of Magical Knights.
"And that's supposed to be our problem?" The leader sneered, motioning threateningly with his staff, and causing Lucy's eyes to narrow dangerously.
"I'm sorry sir!" The man begged, a touch of hysteria in his voice, "But without customers I can't afford to pay! My family will starve..."
"You expect me to care?" The Knight snorted uncaringly, and ran his eyes indifferently over the man's wife and children, "You know what will happen if you don't pay what we're due."
He smirked cruelly and reached out to grab the man's teenage daughter by the arm, "Or maybe we should just take her instead?"
Lucy's teeth grit at the man's frantic begging and woman's pleading for more time. But the Knights seemed oblivious to their cries.
Before she even realized what she was doing, Lucy's feet had carried her over, anger moving her faster than anything else could have.
"Hey!" She snarled at the Knights, "What do you think you're doing with this family? They owe you nothing! Especially not their daughter you sleazebag!"
The fact that they would even think to rip a family apart to fatten their wallets was disgusting. Lucy's stomach curled down to her toes, fingers itching towards her keys.
They were supposed to be Knights. Their job was to lay down order and protect the people. Instead these ones were using their position of power to take.
Was this what it was like all over the city?
"Back off if you know what's good for you lady!" The leader snapped, cruel eyes flashing onto Lucy.
She felt a chill run all the way up her spine when Lucy met the man's gaze and recognized his face.
"Bora," Lucy breathed, just as recognition flashed over his face.
"Lucy Heartfilia," Bora's expression brightened in a way that made her sick to her stomach, "I was hoping I'd get to be the one to catch you. You've always been too prudish with your morals. It's been pretty annoying."
Dark fire erupted in his palms and the Knights began to crowd around her as the family backed away. Already she knew the others had signaled for reinforcements.
"I'm going to enjoy this," Bora promised.
Swallowing, Lucy pulled out her keys, lashing them through the air to summon a spirit to her aid.
The Knights swiftly converged on her, their magic erupting around them.
Meanwhile, Natsu stiffened, his eyes growing wide as he felt a certain wrongness down to his trembling core.
The sensation was almost sickening, and it disoriented him for a moment before it settled in his gut as a kind of cold feeling he couldn't identify. It was like he'd been drenched in ice water though. His heart was pounding furiously and he was desperate to run. Where, exactly, he wasn't sure, but the need was so intense he automatically tried to get to his feet despite his orders.
The fact he actually managed it shocked him so badly he nearly fell down again.
"I can move?" He breathed, looking down at his hands in shock, and glanced around at the crowds. Had Lucy returned already? Surely he would've sensed she was close again? However there was no sign of her in the crowd. What was going on?
That was when the sensation hit him again, even harder, and it suddenly clicked in his head.
Lucy was in danger.
Real danger. Of the kind he needed to deal with immediately before she was badly hurt or killed.
His heart nearly stopped at the realization, and before he could think about what he was doing he was tearing off towards her at top speed a trail of fire and destruction left in his wake.
Not that he was paying any attention to such things.
He was much too concerned about his mistress and whatever was happening to her.
Fortunately, their bond also functioned as a guide for him so he could always return to her side no matter where he was. A feature probably meant for the battlefield, but he would take as much advantage as he could.
He rounded a corner unerringly just in time to see Lucy get cornered by some asshole flinging fire at her. He growled darkly and dove forward to push her out of the way just in time to get hit by the blast himself, and smirked darkly.
Their mistake.
He grinned as he started biting into the flames eagerly, tearing at them with his fangs like they were a juicy side of meat. They weren't as tasty as the flames Mira gave him, in fact they tasted pretty awful. Not at all like the flames of something that he would ever willingly dine on unless he was desperate, but they would do. He licked his lips, ignoring Lucy's startled gasp.
"You're here?" Lucy breathed in surprise and Natsu tried really hard not to feel offended.
"No thanks to someone almost gluing my butt to the pavement," Natsu grumbled at her, his fists igniting at his sides. His eyes narrowed on the Knights who were beginning to look unsure now that there were two opponents.
"Sorry," Lucy murmured but moved up to Natsu's side, "Try to take it easy on them."
Natsu's lip curled in annoyance, his eyes glued on Bora with a menacing glint to them. He cocked his head, "Is that an order?"
"Yes Natsu, we aren't killers," Lucy flashed her gaze stubbornly back to the demon who looked like he did not agree with her comment.
Still the heat from his fists seemed to recede.
"Let's go then," He growled, lunging forward on the balls of his feet.
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"You look like a woman who has had far too many shocks recently."
"I..." Lucy started, but trailed off, not really sure how to reply.
Jellal nodded and gently nudged her towards Bora's charred and groaning body, "You should relieve him of his orders and other documents now." He told her, "While you can verify with your own eyes that they haven't been tampered with by any of us."
Lucy stared at him for a long moment, confusion written on her face, "You're..." She licked her lips, "You're not going to drag us back to Fairy Tail?"
Indignation crossed Gajeel and Erza's faces, but Jellal held up his hand to cut off their comments, "No Lucy." He replied softly, his eyes meeting hers intently, "We aren't what you think we are. We will not force you and Natsu back if you don't want to go. We came because Gray is frantic with worry, but wouldn't break his promise to you."
Tears sprang up in her eyes at the mention of Gray, "Then what do you want from me?" She asked, a hint of hysteria in her voice, "I don't understand! Don't guilds always want something?"
"We would like to be your friends."
