Welcome my wonderful readers to the next chapter of shattered memories; I do hope that you enjoy this chapter; I wanted to wait a little longer before posting this but with how excited everyone seemed to be to find out who the mystery Phantom member is I thought I couldn't be cruel and leave you in suspense like this.
Read and enjoy
Sakura spun around quickly looking for the source of the voice but when she did there was no one there. She started to wearily look around trying her best to focus on finding this person whoever it was.
'They must be from Phantom' Sakura thought since Juvia and Sol had mentioned having another member with them 'When I get a hold of that person I'm going to make him tell me where they took Lucy even if I have to beat the crap out of them.'
As she started to regain her focus she was able to sense someone; finally knowing where that person was; she stood up straight right away and turned around with a deep glare on her face.
"Sakura" the person said again
Sakura was standing in front of a guy who had on a white mask over his eyes and was wearing a dark cloak over his form and a hood over his head concealing his identity.
Sakura prepared herself to battle; she was determined to take this person down however all he seemed to be doing was staring right at her and that made her uneasy.
"Sakura" he said again; his voice held a hint of surprise in it
"How do you know my name?" Sakura asked but he remained silent "Hey answer me because I know I didn't give any introductions"
He still remained silent just staring at her and Sakura was feeling herself lose her patience "Whatever; where have they take Lucy?"
"She was taken to the headquarters" he replied finally and calmly
"And where is that?" Sakura asked shifting her foot slightly getting ready to strike
"I can't tell you that Sakura"
Feeling her glare harden she decided to ask him again "You better if you don't want me to kick the crap out of you and just how the hell do you know my name?"
"Suppose my voice isn't enough very well then maybe this will help" he said as his hand reached out for his hood
The rest of Fairy Tail had all gone to Phantom and started attacking with everything they had; using their magic and using nothing back. The evidence of the destruction being made was evident on the outside Phantoms guild as well as on lookers observed the smoke coming from the guild; all wondering what the commotion was about. Even the master himself had gone with and had started heading up to the top floor to confront master Jose; during that time during the fight Phantoms Iron dragon slayer had appeared before the two guilds to join in on the fight; he had long dark spikey dark hair and red eyes; he had iron piercings on his face as well. When Nab went to attack him he used his magic that created an iron hand that slammed him into the ground taking out some of his own guild members which shocked Gray.
He retracted his iron arm which turned back to normal "Hey there trash; the iron dragon slayer Gajeel the Great; will face you now" he said smugly
Elfman immediately jumped in at that challenge and attacked Gajeel using his take over powers transforming his arm into another one of its beast forms however that wasn't enough to stop Gajeel from slamming him into a wall; he even attacked his own comrades. This got Natsu fired up and he intervened attacking Gajeel and sending him flying back into the counter of the guild.
Natsu held up his fire hands with a demonic look on his face "I'm Fairy Tail dragon slayer" he introduced as Gajeel stood up and smirked back at Natsu.
Gajeel was quick to bounce back and turned his hand into an iron pillar again
"Pillar of the iron Dragon"
Natsu was hit head on with the attack but even so he stood his ground and held onto the piece of iron.
"This guy busted up the guild and hurt Levy and the others" Natsu said with his head hung down before he glared at Gajeel before taking his iron arm and throwing him into the air "EAT THIS"
As Gajeel was sent into the air he kicked back on the planks on the ceiling and came towards Natsu who punched him back again causing him to crash into the wall opposite the guild.
Fairy Tail started to celebrate but it didn't last too long since Gajeel began climbing out of the rubble
"That didn't affect me at all" Gajeel said
Natsu smirked back at him "Doesn't look like that to me"
Gajeel ran up towards Natsu and kicked him back hard sending him flying pretty far and by now both of the guilds were freaked out. The two dragon slayers appeared to be getting pretty serious now while the battle was going on they felt the entire guild begin to shake and they knew then that Master Makarov was angry.
Makarov had gone all the way to the top floor of the guild where he found Master Jose sitting in his chair at the end of a large room which was crumbling with each step the master took however Master Jose did not seem the least bit phased by this.
Makarov continued to walk forward "Jose"
"Well well...it's been a while Makarov" the Phantom guild master replied "Not since the regular meeting six years ago. I'm afraid I made a fool of myself then; liquor really does me in"
Makarov raised his fists which grew ten times its size before bringing it down on Jose "I did not come here to chat!"
However when the dust cleared it was clear that Makarov's fist had simply gone straight through Jose this concluded that he was only a though projection.
"Damn you. You ran from the guild" Makarov accused
"A battle between two of the Great Wizard Saints would surely cause a cataclysm" Jose explained calmly "I would prefer a simply; sensible victory"
"Where are you? Come and fight me fair and square!"
Then another though projection appeared and Jose feet and it was of a blonde girl tied up and unconscious
"Lucy" Makarov said in a shocked tone as he looked at the newbie "Why?"
"Why you ask?" Jose said "Even though she's part of your own guild? You're saying you have no idea who Lucy Heartifilia is?"
As Jose spoke he raised his hand and a magic circle appeared above Lucy making Makarov panic as he reached out.
"Don't!"
However he failed to notice the huge figure looming behind him before it was too late as he turned around there was a large man with bandage wrapped around his eyes wearing a green cloak and hat. He also appeared to be shedding tears.
"The; the; the; the sadness"
There was then a flash of bright light and a crash as Makarov fell to the ground hard getting both guilds attentions. They stared in shock at Master Makarov as his entire form had become green and he appeared to be completely out of magic which he was.
"Gramps"
"Master"
Erza; Natsu; Gray and the others gathered over to the master to check on him; as Erza lifted him up he murmured about his magical power.
"Master hang in there" Erza said
"What's happened?" Cana asked kneeling down in worry
"What the heck; I can't sense any magical power at all from him" Gray said in worry
"You mean he's now nothing but a little old man?" Elfman asked
"But why?" Happy asked
"Gramps get it together" Natsu said with worry laced in his tone
Gajeel watched from the top of the ceiling completely bored now
At the sight of the master being beaten up Phantoms members felt their confidence and arrogance grow as well as their assurance of victory at the realisation that they've gotten their fighting spirit back and that they were actually doing some real damage this time to the members Erza shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Retreat; everyone return to the guild!" she ordered
While the guild was hesitant they obeyed however before Natsu had left he began to overhear Gajeel talking to someone from above on the ceiling; he heard the name Aria being used and that he was the one who had take down Makarov and he heard Lucy's name mentioned.
"So did they catch Lucy?" Gajeel asked
"It is a sad story. The girl Lucy is being held in our headquarters" Aria replied
"So we gave her a 'warm welcome' then?"
Natsu stared up at them in shock "What?"
"What's the matter Natsu?" Happy asked not having left yet since he was waiting for his Salamander friend
When the Fairy Tail guild started to retreat Phantom began chasing after them and during the commotion Natsu grabbed a hold of one of the members and he had a fiery look in his eyes that said he was willing to kill.
Sakura stared at the Phantom member who had now removed his hood and was staring right at her and something inside of Sakura felt triggered; a sense of familiarity that she couldn't explain and that made her feel frustrated.
There before her stood a boy about her age; he had spikey onyx hair and eyes; he was really handsome and his features were slightly lighter than Grays but there was a difference. Sakura couldn't explain it but she had a strange feeling about this guy...as if she had seen him in a dream that was reality. She couldn't explain it but it sent a different feeling pulsing through her and it frightened her.
Sakura backed away feeling her resolve to fight somehow waver now "W-Who are you?"
"What kind of a question is that Sakura?" the boy came towards her reaching out to touch her but she flinched back and frowned snapping out of her dazed faze replacing her shocked face with an icy glare.
"You...where's Lucy; where did you take her?" she demanded ignoring the way her heart was pounding suddenly
His dark eyes widened slightly "Do...do you know who I am?"
Sakura glared at him ignoring the churn within her again; she didn't have time to get shell shocked right now
"You're one of Phantoms cronies the ones who wrecked out guild and hurt our comrades and now you took my friend give her back!"
The guy suddenly looked at her very sceptically and that caused her to take another step back under his sudden gaze
"Where's Lucy?" she asked again in a smaller voice trying to sound strong
"How can this be?" he asked softly but then looked at her again "Do you know what my name is?"
Sakura stared at him strangely before glaring at him again "How am I supposed to know?"
His eyes widened in surprise "Sakura...don't you remember?"
She couldn't help but stare at him in confusion now for a moment letting the thought of finding Lucy slip her mind
"Should I know you?"
"My names Sasuke...Sasuke Uchiha" he said calmly
Sakura gasped as she felt a sudden pain shoot through her skull as that name rang through her head; clutching her head in pain she grabbed it with both hands and clenched her jaw tightly.
She heard footsteps coming towards her and she leapt back again making Sasuke stop in his tracks; she panted slightly as she stared at him. This person...might be someone from her past; the past that she had forgotten; he could tell her-
'What are you thinking Sakura; he's the enemy!' a voice in her mind shouted
"What's wrong?" he asked coming up to her
Sakura backed further away from him clutching the side of her head "Stay away from me" she warned "I don't know who you are but I want you to tell me right now where Lucy's been taken"
"I'm afraid I can't do that Sakura" he said "Let me help you. You must've suffered from amnesia or-
"Yeah I know that!" she snapped "But I don't care; I want you to tell me right now where Lucy's being held or there's going to be hell to pay!"
"Sakura..."
"Shut up! Stop talking to me like we're comrades or something because we're enemies and you'll regret it big time if you don't tell me where those two elemental four have taken my friend!" she said sounding angry and ignoring the churning feelings within her; it was as if something within her was asking her no begging her not to fight this guy but she decided that right now how she was feeling didn't matter because to her Lucy was more important than a gut feeling.
Conjuring up a magic circle in her hand she flung a dark bolt of lightning at Sasuke which seemed to take him by surprise but he had managed to doge it by stepping to the side quickly.
'He's fast' Sakura thought
"You have...magic?" Sasuke asked turning to her "But how can that be?"
Sakura turned around quickly and glared at him "Dammit tell me where you've taken my friend you bastard!"
"Calm down...Sakura listen to m-
"No" Sakura lunged forward to attack him again; she used her magic to summon a dark ribbon to hit him but he avoided them easily. She was getting frustrated now; she wanted to get the information out of him to get her friend back but at the same time she didn't want to fight this guy; she shouldn't have a doubt about fighting this guy and yet...this was why she was suddenly attacking so aggressively because she felt if she didn't do that then she wouldn't be able to attack him at all again.
He vanished and then materialised behind her; he spun her around and then took her wrists in his hands and kept them in a gentle yet firm grip.
"Let me go!" Sakura yelled struggling against him
"Sakura stop it; I don't want to have to fight you; I just want to talk to you"
Sakura stopped for a moment and looked at him; she didn't know why but her body relaxed and she felt ashamed that she had looked like she gave up fighting so easily.
"I don't want to talk; I don't have time for this, if you're not going to tell me where I can find my friend then I'm going to go to the guild myself and get the answers myself so let me go."
"I can't do that Sakura. Just listen to me; I can help you-
"The only way you can do that is if you tell me where Phantoms holding my friend"
"I can tell you about your lost memories"
Sakura's eyes widened at that; to think that just when she had begun to accept never being able to recover her lost memories and that she was happy with her life here with her friends in Fairy Tail this guy Sasuke had to appear before her and offer her a chance to find out about who she was.
'Do I really still want that?' she thought; her mind still landed on Jellal whenever she thought of her lost memories. She believed that he was the only person who knew anything of her past and now here was someone who spoke so familiar to her as if he had known her for a really long time.
'Wait that can't be possible' she thought
Sakura watched from behind a pillar in the room listening on Jellal's conversation; she couldn't believe what he had just said. She felt the corner of her eyes watering in disbelief at what this man had just said to his companion. Her entire form was shaking and her mind was screaming at her to leave right now but she couldn't move her body it was as if it had a mind of its own telling her to stay put there; if she was caught she didn't want to think about what might happen to her.
'It can't be true' she thought shaking her head 'It couldn't be...'
"Jellal you aren't worried about the girl accidently meeting someone from her past if she ever left the tower?"
Jellal laughed darkly at this "I wouldn't worry about that; only I have the power to return all her memories; she will never leave this tower; ever. What's more even if that were the case I can guarantee that she will never find anyone from her past memories to help her."
"Why is that my lord?"
Jellal smirked "It's actually quite simple; in order to find anyone from her past she would have to find the place where she came from"
"That makes sense"
"But you see" Jellal's smirk seemed to widen as he sat in his chair crossed legged and a wicked aura around him "She can't do that because even if I returned her true memories to her she would find that the place she believes came from was never where she truly belonged."
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand my lord"
"Let me just say that Sakura belongs to me in a way that can't ever be changed just as a seed that can't choose where it's planted she can't choose either and neither can I"
By now Sakura was crying doing her best to hold back her sobs of sorrow and pain. She hated this feeling that built up inside of her; it must be what it feels like to be betrayed.
'Why?'
"Sakura"
Sasuke's voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she looked up at him with pain in her eyes. It was then she realised she was still being held captive in his grasp.
"Let me go" she said struggling once more
"Just listen to me; I told you I'll help you"
"Help me?" she asked slowly starring up at him; he had a calm stoic look on his face and yet for some reason it brought her a familiar comfort that even Gray couldn't give her.
"Just come back with me and I'll tell you everything" he promised releasing her wrists; he held out his hand for her to take. She stared at it carefully.
"I promise you won't regret it Sakura" Sasuke said and the way he sounded made her feel that he was truly being honest about this; the certainty in his voice despite sounding slightly cold something stirred within her saying that he was telling the truth and it brought a comfort to her again that she never felt before...it was familiar.
"Leave here with me; we'll go together to Phantom and-
"Go with you to Phantom?" Sakura asked sounding unsure
He stared at her again "Yes Sakura until I can take us back home"
"I-I can't do that; I'm a part of Fairy Tail...I can't just leave them behind" Sakura said sounding broken
"Sakura listen to me; if you come with me I'll take you home to where you belong with your family"
"My family..." Sakura trailed off thinking back but shook her head and refrained from going there.
'Stop it Sakura' she scolded herself as she backed away from him. She had to leave right now; it was obvious she wasn't going to get information out of him; she didn't know how she just had this feeling that he wasn't going to tell her so for now she would head back to the guild to get help.
'I'm sorry Lucy' she thought sadly; she felt terrible for doing something like this and giving up but with Sasuke's offer on her mind still for some reason she knew that it would be dangerous to remain here.
Sakura summoned her glyph and made a break for the sky; looking back she saw Sasuke starring at her gaping slightly in surprise. Then he started running after her on her glyph; she could see him flashing from one roof top to the other.
"No way!" she exclaimed in disbelief; he was fast 'I have to go faster' she thought as she sped up the glyph. Sakura felt as if she was being torn apart with conflicted feelings within her.
Sasuke continued to chase after her; he seemed really persistent. He was also very skilled with the way he was coming after her; she was convinced that if this chase didn't end soon he would catch her.
'How is it I'm so sure? Could it be I really do know him' Sakura thought 'Here I am running from what could be my only chance to find out who I am but if I did take him up on his offer...'
Sakura turned around to see Sasuke still on her trail but then she made a huge mistake; she looked into his eyes that had gone red and a sudden pain and sense of familiarity flashed through her body and without thinking she stopped and the glyph from beneath her vanishing causing her to fall to earth. She shut her eyes tightly as she felt herself hit something hard at the back of her head and then she faded into nothingness but not before muttering something.
"Gray"
"What is this; where am I?" Lucy asked looking around the dirty room; when she woke up she was resting on a hard stone floor and her hands were tied behind her back.
She failed to notice the figure that had appeared from behind her cell door "Awake are you? Lucy Heartifilia?"
"Who are you?" she asked as the cell door opened and a man stepped in; he had a horrible complexion in her opinion and a reddish brownish hair straight till his shoulders and pointy dark eyes.
"I am the guild master of Phantom Lord Jose" he introduced himself
That's when Lucy recalled being captured by the element 4. Jose walked towards her
"I know that these shackles and cell is rude of me but you are currently a prisoner; I hope you understand the circumstances." He said
Lucy gave him a hateful glare in return "Let me go right now; how dare you do that to Levy's team!"
"For someone of your status I have prepared accommodations worthy of a guest instead of a prisoner" he said ignoring her question
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucy asked; she then screamed when she felt something crawling up her leg and saw a centipede which leapt off of her when she screamed.
"See; you don't want to stay in this cell yes?" Jose asked with a smirk "If you cooperate I'll transfer you to the suite"
"Why did you attack us?"
"Us?" Lord Jose laughed at this "Oh you're referring to Fairy Tail. Just in passing...a side effect. Our true objective was to obtain a certain someone." he explained "And that person just happened to be in Fairy Tail so we crushed it."
"Someone?" Lucy asked confused
"You're much denser than I figured the daughter of the Heartifilia family would be" he said sighing in disappointment "I mean you of course. The daughter of the Heartifilia Konzern; Mistress Lucy"
Lucy glared harder at him "How did you know?"
"It seems you hid this from the guild; why would the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the country take on such cheap dangerous jobs?"
"Is this a kidnapping?" Lucy asked
"No; we were requested to bring you back with us. By none other than your father himself"
Lucy's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she thought about her father
"No way; why would he?"
"I'm sure it was to search for his beloved daughter who ran away from home" suggested Jose
Lucy shook her head in disbelief "No way...He's not the kind of person to care about things like that. I'm never going back you hear me!"
"Oh my what a troublesome little lady we have"
"Release me this instant"
"I can't do that."
"Because" Lucy flushed slightly "I kinda need to use the bathroom"
Jose didn't look convinced and smirked "That's the oldest trick in the book" he held up a bucket "Fine then" he set it down on the ground "Go ahead"
"NO WAY" she exclaimed loudly
"There are plenty of ways to deal with that old trick" he responded what he wasn't expecting was for Lucy to actually stand up and start squirming
"A bucket huh?" she asked looking down
"You were serious!?" he asked looking at her in disgust "I have never seen such an improper young lady and I am a gentleman"
Lucy smirked when he turned around and she kicked hard right where the son didn't shine making him scream in pain and crouch down
"It's best not to underestimate old tricks" Lucy remarked as she ran up toward the window but when she did and peered down she saw she was at least fifty feet above from the ground.
Jose groaned as he stood up "Too bad for you this is a sky cell!" he stalked towards her "You did me a good one there. I'm going to punish you. I must show you how scary Phantom can be!"
Lucy shut her eyes as she thought about her father reaching out for her and the fear of falling was over power and she was sure she heard his voice. The voice of her saviour
"He's here I know it' she thought as she fell to the back further and further to the ground "NATSU"
"LUCY" was the response as the dragon slayer as she jumped into the air and caught as before turning around so he landed into the wall instead of her. In the end he ended up on the bottom with Lucy on top of him and her boobs over his face.
"You're nuts you know that?" he said in a muffled voice
"Natsu; I thought you were here"
After getting up Natsu untied her wrists quickly "You ok?"
Lucy rubbed her wrists looking down and nodded "Yeah..."
"Thank goodness" Happy said "Let's go back to the guild"
Natsu looked at Happy "This is their headquarters we should-
"But Erza said to retreat" Happy said referring to their recent attack on Phantom that hadn't gone as planned.
"She's scared. I aint afraid of them at all!"
"The master's been severely wounded" Happy reminded him
"I'll get them back for that to"
"You can't handle it"
"I can"
"Everyone's injured" Happy shouted back at him
Lucy felt like breaking down as she heard about how all of the members got injured badly "Sorry..." she said as she clutched her skirt "I'm sorry..." that got their attention as she thought about how the guild was wrecked and thinking it was all her fault because they were after her.
She felt tears begin to fall from her eyes "This is...This is all my fault but I still want to be in the guild" she cried before looking up at them with tear filled eyes "I love Fairy Tail"
Natsu looked at her with concern "Oi what's the matter?"
"Lucy..." Happy trailed off sadly as the girl continued to sob harder
"Sure you can be in the guild; what's the problem?" he asked
"Natsu let's go back" Happy suggested realising it was better to just leave the subject
Natsu nodded and let Lucy onto his back before carrying her away from that place and back to the guild.
Sakura looked around; she didn't know where she was but it looked like a village although there were people walking around she couldn't see their faces. She walked through the village watching as people went about their normal lives. She couldn't see their eyes though; their faces.
She heard a voice behind her; a guy's voice and it was familiar when she looked she saw a younger her; she looked about twelve but her own face was the only one she could see.
"Hey Sakura are you ready to leave?"
The younger version of her nodded "Yeah; I'm ready; I hope we are successful this time"
"Don't worry Sakura; we'll bring him back this time"
She couldn't see his eyes but he was wearing a strange orange jumpsuit and there was a hint of spikey blonde hair. She wondered who was this person and who were they talking about?
'What is this?' she thought
"Please this is going to be dangerous though so promise; you'll be careful"
Sakura smiled "Don't worry about me; I can handle myself after all I'm stronger than I let people think"
There was a goofy laugh heard and for some reason it calmed her "Yeah you're right we'll find him and bring him back right"
"Of course" she said with determination in her voice
"What in the world is that?" Sakura asked as she looked at her former self "Is this a memory? I don't understand" she followed after the younger version of her as another figure came into the clearing; it was an older man with spikey silver hair but she couldn't make out his face.
"Are you ready to go?"
"You're late" the two said together
Sakura crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the man "You know this is the last chance we have after this we're all gonna go on our own paths to train"
"Yeah you're right about that Sakura so let's go and find Sasuke"
"Sasuke?"
Sakura's eyes snapped open and she shot up panting heavily; she held her hand to her mouth feeling sick.
'Was that a memory?' she thought wearily; her eyes watering slightly as she remembered the dream she just had.
'Sasuke' she couldn't help but think of that name and then she remembered about what had happened to her; Lucy being kidnapped and then her running from Sasuke and her crashing into something knocking her out.
'Oh Lucy' Sakura thought worriedly; she felt her form shake slightly 'I'm sorry; I was so weak...'
Looking around she was in the guilds basement where she saw everyone else getting treated; some seemed to notice she was awake because Gray and Natsu appeared right next to her as soon as she woke up both with worried expressions on their faces.
"Sakura" they said together
"What's happened?" Sakura asked wiping the corner of her eyes
"We don't know; when we came back we found you in front of the guild unconscious but we don't know what happened to you" Gray explained placing a hand on her shoulder
Sakura clenched her fist as she recalled the events; the only way she would've gotten here was if she was dropped off here by that Phantom member Sasuke...Why would he do that though? It made no sense to her; she had made a run for it right after he told her to come with him back to Phantom.
'To think I might have actually been considering...' she thought feeling horrible about herself for even thinking such a thing! Was she really still desperate to have get her memories back or was it because she wanted to be with Sasuke because of that strange feeling of comfort she felt from him?
'He said he'll take me to where I belong but...' she thought of everyone around her as she looked around the guild 'What about everyone here? Am I really willing to give all of that up for one guy?'
Her eyes finally stopped on Gray who was starring at her with a worried look on his face; it was different from the expression Sasuke had given her as his was more stoic and yet that churning feeling of familiarity didn't come about as it did with Sasuke but even so...
Sakura stared at Gray
"Sakura what's the matter?" he asked
She didn't reply but couldn't stop herself from placing her head on his shoulder suddenly making him jump a little in surprise but he wasn't complaining.
This was all so confusing for her but then suddenly she snapped when she realised that Lucy had been taken!
"Lucy; they took Lucy!" she snapped
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see her blonde friend safe and sound not so much as a scratch on her
"I'm right here; Sakura" she smiled sadly
Sakura her breathing stops when she saw that Lucy was safe after what that guy said to her; Sakura hugged Lucy "I'm so glad; I'm glad you're safe"
"Sakura…." Lucy murmured
"I-I'm sorry" Sakura said in a shaking voice as tears fell from her eyes "I was there when they took you away b-but I c-couldn't stop them. I'm sorry; I'm sorry...please; please. Forgive me!"
Lucy gasped before returning the hug; Sakura felt her shoulder dampen slightly; Lucy was crying as well.
After the girls got the tears out of their system Gray explained to Sakura that Phantom had captured Lucy for a little while but Natsu managed to save her after they raided the guild which turned out to be a trap. A lot of people were injured now; the master was hurt so bad he nearly lost his magic power and was currently somewhere safe while everyone else recovered after Erza told them to leave.
'Phantom' Sakura thought 'The next time; I'm not going to be so weak'
Looking around everyone was safe but hurt; she seemed to be the only one who got attacked by Phantom and left unscathed aside from her pride.
"Sakura do you really know the situation?" Lucy asked sounding slightly frightful
Sakura nodded "Yes; I do and I'm not going to let them take you back; you ran away for a reason and I'm not going to let them force you into going back"
Lucy smiled wiping away her tears "Thank you Sakura"
She nodded "From now on I'm going to fight with everything I've got to protect this guild and my friends"
Gray looked at her and nodded in approval but he himself was making an oath to ensure that Sakura didn't get hurt again; he only left her along for a little while even though he hadn't wanted to and she had already been attacked by Phantom. She told them that she had fallen from her glyph and when she said that he nearly lost it.
'Damn' he thought; the thought of Sakura getting hurt in all of this made his blood boil.
Gray looked at Sakura with an odd fire in his eyes "Sakura...I promise that next time I'll be there to protect you"
Sakura stared at him in shock "Gray..."
'I have to tell them' she thought
Just as Sakura was about to tell her friends about the event that took place there was suddenly a huge rumbling sound that made the guild shake; everyone stood up to go look what was happening and when they got out they saw something terrifying; Phantom's guild walking towards them literally. It shook the ground as it walked; no one could've predicted something like this! The guild stood in the lake opposite the guild; the members all stood there shell shocked at the terrifying sight.
Sakura gaped in horror at the sight and then in a cannon came out of the centre of the guild and were preparing a huge blast that would no doubt destroy all of them!
Erza started running towards the front requipping into armour that Sakura had never seen before but there were two shields on either side of her arm; the armour covered her body completely with only her face visible.
"I won't let you touch the guild!" she shouted
"That's Adamantine Armour!" Happy shouted in shock
"She doesn't intend to actually block it does she?" asked Bisca
"I don't care how much crazy defensive power that armour gives you; don't do it" shouted Al
"Don't do it Erza; you'll die!"
"Erza!" screamed Natsu
Natsu tried to grab Erza to stop her from the attempt but Gray held him back saying that they had to believe that she knew what she was doing but when you looked at it; that was insane with what she was trying to accomplish; it was madness.
'What is she thinking?' Sakura asked shaking slightly at the sight 'She can't; she can't'
Phantom blasted the giant attack known as Jupiter at the guild but Erza formed a giant shield that stopped it; Sakura watched in amazement and worry as Erza held off against the blast. Sakura held tightly onto Lucy as she watched. Erza's armour began to crack more and more until finally when the attack stopped Erza went flying back but she saved the guild.
Natsu ran over to her; Sakura and the rest of the guild heard a voice coming from the building. It was Jose leader of Phantom.
"First Makarov and now Erza as well are both out of commission" he said "You no longer have a chance for victory. Hand over Lucy Heartifilia right now!"
However none of the guild members were willing to give her up to Phantom; Sakura held Lucy closer to her body.
Everyone started cheering about how they wouldn't give up one of their friends like that; Sakura felt Lucy's form trembling like she was about to cry. Sakura held onto her closely comforting her. Lucy was the one who had taken her to this guild; she owed her for this; Lucy had become like her little sister and older siblings come first to protect the ones that come after them.
"WE'D RATHER DIE THAN SELL OUT OUR FRIENDS" yelled Erza still on the ground
"OUR ANSWER WILL NEVER CHANGE NO MATTER WHAT" Natsu shouted angrily
Everyone cheered loudly and by now Lucy was a balling mess of tears; Sakura soothed her "Don't cry Lucy; I promise we'll protect you. I promise I'll protect you"
Lucy cried harder at her friends words but that only strengthened Sakura's determination 'I promise Lucy...I won't give in again'
"Then you'll get an extra-large second helping of Jupiter! Quiver in fear for the fifteen minutes it takes to charge!" shouted Phantom to them
Looking at the building something started coming out; there were strange ghost like creatures that were flying at them.
"Stare at hell Fairy Tail" they heard Jose say "Be destroyed by my troops or be blow away by Jupiter!"
"What is this?" Sakura asked
"Jose magic; Shade; they're not human; they're phantom soldiers that Jose created" Cana replied
"We have to do something about Jupiter" Sakura said
"I'll bust it to pieces!" Natsu said "Fifteen minutes right; let me at it!"
Natsu and Happy took off followed soon after by Gray and Elfman; Sakura watched as they left. She hoped that they would be alright; that they would be safe.
Mirajane appeared "We have to take Lucy somewhere safe" she said
Sakura nodded and lead Lucy away from the battle "We have a safe house; stay there until the battle is over" Mirajane said
Sakura saw Reedus there as well
Lucy pulled back from Sakura "But; I want to fight alongside everyone! It's my fault this happened"
"You're wrong Lucy" Mirajane said "No one thinks that; for our fallen comrades; for our guild and to protect you! Everyone takes pride in this battle. So listen to what I have to say"
Mirajane held out her hand and used magic to put Lucy to sleep; Sakura caught her before she fell
"Reedus; take Lucy to the safe house" Mirajane said
Nodding Reedus used his magic to paint a carriage and it appeared in for real. Sakura placed Lucy in the back and got off the carriage and watched as it rode off.
Then when they were out of sight Mirajane used her magic and transformed herself into Lucy; Sakura stared at her in surprise.
"What are you doing?" she asked
"I'll protect my friends no matter what Sakura" Mirajane replied
Sakura got the just of what she meant by that and despite wanting to protest by that look on her face even though it was Lucy's she knew that Mirajane wasn't going to back down.
'So these are the true lengths that a guild like Fairy Tail will go to protect their friends?' she thought
"Let's go back"
"Wait Sakura" Mirajane called "Are you sure about this? This will be dangerous"
Sakura nodded "I've never been more sure of anything Mirajane don't worry; I can't just leave while everyone else fights. It's partly my fault that Lucy was taken away in the first place because..."
"What's the matter Sakura?" Mirajane asked
Sakura shook her head; no matter what she just couldn't tell her "It's nothing don't worry ok; I'm fine"
"Yes but it almost appears as if something's been eating on you" she said to the pinkette
Sakura looked down sadly 'In the end I really am a coward'
Sakura and Mirajane went back to the guild where Erza was set on one of the tables; she was unconscious still and it didn't look like she was going to wake up any time soon. The only person who was able to stop Jupiter before was no out of commission for a while.
'What should I do?' Sakura thought with worry as she looked at Mirajane and then peered outside of the window.
'I have to fight; I know that...' she thought
Sakura walked out towards the door "Mirajane; look after her and please even though you look like Lucy; don't do it"
"Sakura wait what are you going to do?"
"What I have to" she responded before walking out of the guild
"Be careful"
"Judging by how desperately you want to keep your secrets you haven't been fighting at your full potential have you?"
'Damn' she thought as she started to run past everyone 'Why am I suddenly thinking about that now?'
Sakura saw all of the creatures coming towards them; the guild members were going down at this rate they wouldn't be able to fight and protect the guild for much longer.
'I have to get in there and stop them' Sakura thought as she hoped on her glyph and started flying towards the building.
Not a few moments later the cannon came crashing down; that's when Sakura remembered that Natsu; Gray and Elfman had already gotten a head start and had gone into the building already.
However the moment was short lived when the guild started to move around and split apart; it started to transform into a giant with arms and legs and a head.
"It's a giant" Loke said "A magical giant!"
Sakura gasped when she looked at it; there was a giant circle appearing above the giant. Sakura looked at it and knew what it was.
"Abyss Break" she gasped; that was forbidden! She learned about that from Jellal himself.
'If they use that; it could destroy the entire city!" she thought her eyes wide
Sakura felt a twinge of panic now she couldn't go because Jose was sending more of his stupid Shades to them. Sakura turned her head away to keep going forward to enter the giant; if she turned back now she knew that she wouldn't be able to stop herself. She had to get this thing from the inside; she couldn't stop now.
'And if I see that guy again...well I hope I don't' she thought
Sakura finally reached an opening; it was an empty room and it didn't look like anyone was occupying it. Sakura jumped off her glyph and ran out of the door where she found herself in a large hall way.
"I have to find the power source of this thing before it's too late" Sakura said to herself as she began making her way down the hall way
There you have it guys; I plan on wrapping up Phantom ark in the next chapter so look forward to it and now that Sasuke's made an appearance you can also look forward to some more surprises.
Don't forget to review!