Author's Note: FINALLY HAVE SOME TIME TO WRITE! I MISSED THIS!
Hey, guys! Good to see most of you are still around~ here's a new chapter. :D
Chapter 11: Mission Accomplished
Miles outside of the town of Morphune. 797. Train Car.
"OUT OF THE WAY! EVERYONE!"
"What's going on?!" a woman's voice resounded over the paralyzed blonde's body.
"I don't know, we just found her out here—"
"She's not breathing!"
"Sir," the woman's voice again.
Silence.
Footsteps.
"How bad is it?" a deeper man's voice.
"Poison, sir," the woman's voice trailed off. Though Lucy couldn't feel anything, she sensed that someone was knelt over next to her. "The injection was administered in her right abdomen, and the poison has been coursing through her system for at least an hour now."
More silence.
"Full paralysis?" The man's voice.
"Yes."
At that moment, Lucy's left eye opened due to the woman prying open her eyelid.
"She's in shock," eyelid shuts.
Darkness again.
"She's conscious, yet she isn't breathing regularly." The woman's voice echoed in her ear.
Footsteps moved towards Lucy again.
"So it's that poison, isn't it?" his voice entered her empty thoughts.
"Without a doubt, sir. This is Erin Crossman's work."
Lucy's heart dropped.
"Erin…"
"Then…what can we do?" the man's voice sounded low, as if masking it from people surrounding them.
"There's nothing we can do." The woman's voice faltered. "She'll be paralyzed for at least six hours after a dose is administered. After that," she trailed off. "She won't make it past tomorrow."
"There's no time, then." The man huffed, sounding incredibly saddened. "Tell the train driver to go full speed ahead to Morphune. We need to get her hospitalized immediately—"
"But Sir—"
"Just do what I say," he countered. "Now!"
"Right, on my way."
More footsteps moved quickly yet carefully, as if maneuvering through a large crowd.
"I don't know who you are," the man's voice resounded through Lucy's ears and echoed off her lifeless brain. "But judging from this mark on your hand…You must be part of the magic guild Fairy Tail."
Lucy, laying lifeless next to the crouched man, felt moisture build up in her eyes and drop down her cold cheeks.
"I'm going to do what I can to help you, young lady." His voice was coated with fear and sadness. "Because not knowing someone doesn't justify standing idly by and watching you die," Lucy's heart dropped again as she faintly made out the feeling of a gentle hand gripping hers and another hand pressing against her back. "I learned that from you…Fairy Tail."
Town of Morphune. Snaretooth Inn.
Natsu's P.O.V.
"You seem to be healing quickly, Natsu." Wendy chimed, smiling from ear to ear. "It's a miracle, really."
Natsu stretched his arms and cracked his neck, leaning back and forth to stretch out his back. "I'm all fired up!" he grinned at Wendy, making her laugh.
"That's our Natsu." Erza clapped a hand on his shoulder and nodded at him, smiling faintly.
Gray, who was still perched at his window, smiled warmly out the window. "Just in time, too."
Natsu looked towards the ice mage with curious eyes. "Why do you say that, Gray?"
"I can see a train moving towards the station off in the distance." He pointed out the window.
Without hesitation, the fire dragon jumped across the bed and skid to a stop next to Gray, peering out the window like a dog awaiting its owner.
"Where?" his grin was so large it covered his whole face as he scanned the outside area. "I don't see it."
"Not there, idiot!" Gray huffed, smacking Natsu on the head. He pointed again, leading the dragon's eyes to the outside of the town. "There."
Natsu's eyes widened and so did his grin. "You think the guys are on that train?"
Staring out the window, Natsu could make out the train shuffling towards the station. If they were outside, it would be close enough to hear the whistle signaling the station that they were stopping.
"That could be theirs." Gray crossed his arms. "We haven't seen any others stop here all day."
Wendy came up behind the two boys and stood on her toes to see above Natsu's shoulder. "It has to be theirs, Natsu!" she giggled, patting his shoulder. "Should we go and greet them?"
Natsu turned towards Wendy, smiling. He nodded. "Let's go. I can't believe I'm going to see her after all this time…"
Wendy smiled up at Natsu with her hands behind her back, her fishtail braid trailing down the front of her body and stopping just above her elbow. "Natsu…are you alright?" she asked, cocking her head curiously.
"Yeah…" Natsu walked past the blunette and eyed Erza, who was sitting in a chair with her head in her hand, watching Erin like a hawk.
"I'm fine, but…" his eyes fell on Erin.
Erin had woken up after Gray had knocked him out a few hours ago. This time, he was silent, staring at the ground with his arms and legs bound with magical bindings. "What about him?" he gestured to the prisoner with a concerned look.
"I've got him, Natsu." Erza mumbled, not taking her eyes off of the dark wizard. "Tell Lucy I said hello, will you?" she added.
This was enough to excite Natsu. "All right!" he cheered, turning towards Wendy, who was grinning from ear to ear due to excitement. "Let's go, Wendy!"
"Right!" she shouted, jumping up from the bed. She turned to Gray as she got to the door, looking back curiously. "You coming, Gray?"
"Nah," he waved his hand towards the two exiting wizards. "Someone's gotta keep watch, remember?"
"I don't see why…no one is coming…" grumbled the fire dragon, pouting. "Whatever, we'll see you guys later, alright?"
"Sure." Gray nodded, still looking out the window.
"Enjoy yourselves." Erza called out from the corner, still fixated on the silent prisoner.
With that, the two dragon slayers left the room and sped down the hallway in excitement.
Open P.O.V.
"Erza…" Gray called out, still not looking towards the other two people in the room.
"Yeah…"
They seemed to be having a silent conversation in their heads, fully aware of the dark wizard in the room.
Something's not right about this…Gray thought to himself.
Why would someone as powerful as Erin give up so easily…? Erza questioned herself over and over, scowling down at the silent dark mage.
"I feel it, too…" Erza spoke aloud to Gray, making him tense up.
Erin smirked, making it the first movement he made in the last hour.
"Not much gets past you two, huh…" Erin grunted, choking back a laugh. Though he was badly bruised by the illusion Ivan, he still had enough energy to toy with the young wizards.
Erza clenched her fists and locked her jaw, standing above Erin. Gray finally turned his head and revealed the dark, angry scowl across his face.
"Enough of this…" Erza demanded, stepping towards Erin. "Gray—"
He was one step ahead of her. The ice mage cleared the distance between the sitting prisoner the window and snatched him up by the collar, slamming him hard against the wall with a loud thud.
Erin coughed up blood, his body hanging limp under the strong grip of his assailant.
He wasn't in pain….he was laughing…
Erin continued to cough randomly as he attempted an evil laugh, drops of blood leaking through his yellow, toothy grin.
"Time's up, Erin." Gray said coldly, his fist pulled back and surrounded by an icy pair of knuckles. His fingers cracked and froze around the dark mage's neck, spreading to his collar and nipping at his bruised neck.
"Either you tell us what the fuck you're doing…" Gray started, but was interrupted by a loud clang; Erza had equipped a longsword and had it pointed directly at Erin's neck.
"Or we kill you right now." Erza finished the statement, her cold dark eyes locked on the yellow eyes of the prisoner.
"You said it yourself…" Erin cocked his head, smiling devilishly at the warrior. "Erza, was it…?"
Gray's fist slammed into his cheek bone before he could utter another word. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"
Erin spat blood into Gray's face, not affecting the infuriated ice mage in the slightest. At that moment, a loud train whistle resounded through the town and creeped through the window of the inn.
Erin laughed again, smiling from ear to ear. "What did I do, you ask?" he continued to cackle, making Gray and Erza tense up.
"I was simply following orders…and now…"
Faint screams and sirens were heard coming from the train station.
"Mission Accomplished." Erin spat, glaring at the two astonished mages in front of him.
Train Station.
Lucy's P.O.V.
"THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT! PLEASE!" That man's voice continued to reverberate through Lucy's head as she fought to stay awake. She felt the sensation of moving, though not walking.
It was more like…being carried…
Am I on a stretcher? She asked herself, trying so hard to open her eyes.
She still couldn't move. No matter what she did, her body didn't respond to her brain's commands.
It was as if her body and mind were two separate entities now…the feeling was sickening.
"WE NEED TO GET THIS WOMAN TO A HOSPITAL!"
There was that man again. Lucy still wasn't sure why he was helping her. Yet…she was grateful, nonetheless.
"Chris!? What are you—" The woman's voice from the train reappeared, sounding breathless as if she were running to keep up with…Chris, whoever that was.
"Sugo! Good, you're here!" The deep voice again.
Chris…that's your name.
Whoever you are…thank you for helping me…
"I notified the hospital," Sugo gasped, desperately trying to keep up with Chris as he held onto the front of the stretcher the blonde was on.
At least, I think it's a stretcher…
"And? Can they help her?" Chris huffed, sounding more concerned than exhausted.
"They have anti-poison, but only for snake bites and minor curses." Sugo explained, her voice sounding strained. "But, Sir…"
"Enough of the 'Sir' crap, Sugo." Chris groaned, his voice faltering as he shifted Lucy's weight in his arms. "We aren't in Hargeon anymore, and you know I think of you as much more than my servant."
Hargeon…? What does that have to do with anything…?
"Right…Sorry, Chris-san." Sugo mumbled.
Chris laughed. His laugh…it was hearty, not condescending like Lucy expected. It was weird that his mood continued to shift between concerned and…playful.
"Drop the honorific, too." He spoke softly, stifling another laugh. "So, the hospital, can they—"
"HEY!" A familiar voice shouted over the voices flooding Lucy's head.
It had been so long since she'd heard it…
That raspy tone…could it be…?
"Who are—" Chris began to protest but stopped in his tracks, causing Lucy's body to jolt to a stop. "By the gods…"
"Chris, what are you…" Sugo trailed off, apparently recognizing the voice, too.
"Pink hair, guild crest on your right shoulder…the aura of a dragon." Chris recited, his voice cracking in astonishment.
"What's going on here? People are screaming as if someone died…." Natsu's confidence broke suddenly. "Hold on a second…" he added softly.
Footsteps.
Natsu…
Lucy wanted nothing more than to sit up and hug the boy. She couldn't believe it. He's alive! He's really alive!
But the blonde still couldn't move, causing her heart to shatter.
Help me, Natsu…
Please…
"You're Natsu Dragneel, aren't you…?" Chris's voice peaked through the darkness clouding the blonde's mind.
"Lucy…" Natsu spoke softly. "Is that you, Luce…?" his voice cracked.
"Lucy?" Sugo asked, her voice in a higher pitch due to anxiety.
"What the hell happened to Lucy…" Natsu growled, turning on Chris and Sugo, making them stare at him in shock. "Who are you people?!" he shouted, his voice coated in sadness and anger.
Lucy, still lying motionless and silent, felt like screaming and crying altogether. She didn't know what was happening or why it was happening…
But one thing was for certain; Lucy had to stop Natsu from attacking the people helping her.
Natsu's P.O.V.
"You better start talking…" the fire dragon demanded, fire sparking to life as he bawled his fists. His eyes were locked on Lucy, who was hanging from Chris's shoulders, completely lifeless. "And fast!" he added, his teeth clenching.
"Woah, man…" Chris pleaded, holding onto Lucy with one arm and outstretching the other, his palm facing out and his face sincere. "Allow me to explain."
"Natsu, was it?" Sugo asked, stepping between the two men and eyeing Natsu worriedly.
"Yeah, that's me…" his fists unclenched but his eyes were still filled with worry and anger. "How do you know my name?"
"It's a long story…" Sugo raised her hand behind her neck and scratched nervously.
"More importantly…" Chris interrupted, his confidence returning as he spoke directly to Natsu. "We need to get Lucy to the hospital, and quickly."
Natsu's gaze went to Chris, his eyes shaking and his determination faltering. "Is she…?"
"She's been poisoned." Sugo explained softly, putting her hands out in front of her. "She was found on the train lying face down outside of her train car…"
Natsu stood there, astonished by what he was hearing. "Who did this…?"
"We don't know that…" Chris huffed, starting to walk again. "Will you accompany us to the hospital, Natsu? I have a lot of questions…and besides…" he craned his neck and peeked at the silent blonde on his back. "She doesn't have much time."
Natsu was about to protest before he felt a hand grab his arm. He whirled around in shock, but relaxed when he saw that it was Wendy.
"I came as soon as I heard…" Wendy spoke softly, looking at Natsu, then at Chris and Sugo. "It was Lucy, wasn't it? Everyone on the train said that a blonde girl was found poisoned just outside of her car…"
Chris nodded. "If you mean this blonde girl, then the people are correct. Who are you, exactly?"
Wendy went to speak but was cut off by a hand pressed against her chest. "We'll introduce ourselves later. Let's get to the hospital." He spoke gently, his jaw locked in place and his eyes entranced on Lucy.
"Right…" Sugo breathed out, sighing out her anxiety. "Lead the way, Chris."
"With pleasure." He nodded, returning to his fast pace towards the hospital.
"We're coming with you!" Natsu shouted, grabbing Wendy's hand and dragging her along.
They rushed towards the hospital at full speed, unaware of the events taking place back at the Snaretooth Inn.
Open P.O.V.
"YOU DID WHAT TO LUCY!?" Erza shouted at Erin, who was already beaten and bruised by the enraged ice mage.
"I…p-p-poisoned her…" he choked out through broken teeth and blood dripping from his open mouth.
Gray had pinned Erin to the wall with ice shackles just below the magical bindings. Hanging from the wall with his arms above his head and his feet tied and pinned to the wall, the dark mage was subjected to Gray's relentless fury and Erza's intimidating interrogation strategy.
"Why!? Why would you do something like that to our friend!?" This time it was Gray who shouted, slamming his bloody fist into Erin's broken ribs.
"It…i-i-it…was part o-of…" Erin coughed out, "The mission…"
"What mission?!" Erza demanded, getting inches from his face, making him grin.
"Operation: Fairy Decay…" he spoke through broken teeth and a devilish grin.
"What kind of sick name is that?!" Gray snapped, slamming another fist into Erin's chest.
"Stop, Gray." Erza demanded, putting her hand out to stop him. Gray was so absorbed by his rage that he almost didn't notice her speaking.
"Why? We should kill him while we still have the chance—"
"The antidote." Erza spoke to Erin.
Erin grinned, his head bowed and resting against his bare chest.
"The what? Erza—" Gray protested.
"Every poison has an anti-poison," Erza explained, her hand still pressed against Gray's chest as she spoke softly but intimidatingly at Crossman. "You must have one. In the case of an accident, one must always have a fallback plan."
Erin simply grinned, his yellow-brown eyes fixated on the floor where a small pool of blood was forming.
"Tell us where it is." Erza demanded, her hand reaching out and snapping the dark mage's chin up, making him stare directly at the red head.
"You know…" Erin spoke softly, his snakelike voice like poison in the mage's ears. "You fairy brats aren't too bright, are you…?"
Erza's grip tightened around his neck. "I'm not going to ask again, Crossman."
"Oh, please…" he taunted Erza, smiling sweetly. "Don't hurt little old me!~"
"Go fuck yourself, asshole!" Gray pushed against Erza's firm hand, winding up another punch.
"Gray…Leave us." Erza spoke through her hair that was covering her face.
Before he could protest, Erza was already escorting him out of the room and into the hallway.
"If you need me—"
"You need to relax. Let me handle this." She pressed, eyeing him seriously.
Gray sighed and leaned against the far wall of the small hallway. "Fine. Don't let him get inside your head."
"Didn't plan on it." The door clicked shut behind her.
Erza returned to the wall where Crossman hung, eyeing him cautiously. "You must have an antidote somewhere…don't you?" she pressed, standing in front of the dark mage with her hands on her hips.
"Again…you brats are so fucking stup—"
"Answer the goddamn question, Erin!" Erza shouted, her hands slamming hard next to his head, leaving an indention in the wall.
"Fine," he spoke as he licked his lips, his tongue covered in blood. "I'll give you a hint."
"I'm listening…" Erza leaned in, eyeing her prisoner carefully.
Erin raised his head and grinned. "Let me whisper it in your ear…"
"You fucking pervert…" Erza groaned, but didn't protest. She needed to hear whatever he was going to say.
The dark mage raised his bloody lips up to Erza's ear and took a deep breath. He hesitated.
Erza stopped breathing in anticipation. After a long silence, he finally whispered into her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
"There…" he began, and ended with a grin. "…is no antidote." He flashed his big toothy grin, leaning back and staring wide eyed at the horrified red head.
"Are you…" Erza began.
"I have no reason to lie. After all," Erin bit his lip. "I created the poison specifically for the Heartfilia girl."
Erza was in complete shock. She didn't want to believe him, but she could tell when a person was lying. Erin was…elated to tell her that there wasn't an antidote.
"This was your plan all along…" she breathed out.
"Actually…It wasn't." He corrected her. "Would you like me to educate you—"
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Erza screamed, almost cried into his face, her anger swelling and escaping through her mouth and nose.
"I'm an assassin." Erin stated. "I was hired by Raven Tail to infiltrate Serpentine and take out key members of Fairy Tail. Specifically," He grinned. "Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster."
"Our informant in the Magic Council told us about the quest given specifically to Natsu. We took the chance to take him out while he was alone, but I was caught off guard by your ice fairy over there." He gestured to the door.
"That doesn't explain the poison—"
Erin coughed loudly, almost clearing his throat. "Slow down, Titania. My lines aren't through yet," he winked at her. "And I'm still center stage."
Erza crossed her arms and allowed him to continue his rant, just waiting for the chance to slit his throat.
"I used my magic to capture Natsu and leave that Gray idiot to do the dirty work for me. You see," he paused. "My target wasn't just the two of them. It was the whole guild. Now, here's the best part—"
"Get on with it." Erza grunted, gritting her teeth and itching to equip her sword and behead this psychopath.
"Along with being an excellent Illusion mage just like Master Ivan, I'm also a skilled brewer." He chuckled. "When given the right ingredients, I can create anything my wonderfully dark mind can imagine. You could call it 'Brew Make Magic' if you wanted to—"
"What was the main ingredient of the poison?!" Titania questioned, getting irritated with his self-admiration.
"Dragon Slayer blood. You know, it's an extremely useful material—"
"Dragon Slayer blood?!" Erza screamed, shocked. "Don't tell me you used Natsu's blood…"
"Clever girl." Erin praised her, making Erza twitch in anger. "Not all of you fairies are completely hopeless…"
"Coincidentally…There's another amazing use for Dragon Slayer blood…" Erin continued.
"Oh yeah? Let me guess…World domination?" Erza rolled her eyes.
"Wow…you're good."
"What? I was—Nevermind." Erza returned to her dangerous mood. "You planned on taking over the world with Dragon Slayer blood? How ridiculous."
"You know…I seem to recall there being more of you besides Natsu, the ice fairy, and the blue haired bitch…" Erin craned his neck and squinted his eyes. "Wasn't Ivan's son with you when you arrived at the Forward Observation Base?" he asked, quizzically.
"Laxus was ordered to return to Fairy Tail to warn the others about your guild's hellish intentions." Erza answered, looking stoic as ever. "What's it to you?"
"Oh…" he almost sang the word before he coughed up more blood, making himself laugh. "So he's returned to Fairy Tail, huh…? Or should I say…what's left of it."
Erza stared at him in shock. "What do you mean, 'What's left of it'?" she stammered.
"The second most important use for Dragon Slayer blood…" Erin grinned his evil grin, staring directly at the warrior woman. "Is mind control." He added, with a demonic laugh.
DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY IN AWHILE AND IT MAKES ME SAD :( TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK, GUYS!
JA NE!
-MEMPHIS