"Going somewhere?" Jude asked, that insufferable creepy smile still on his face. Lucy took a step back, her expression wary.
"I see the whole team's here." he continued, still smiling. "Well done getting past all my defenses."
"You're not getting Lucy." Natsu said, his eyes burning like only Natsu's could. "Not over my dead body."
"Are you sure, boy? I could kill you right now, and see for myself." The smile vanished. "But, of course, I need my revenge."
"Revenge? What kind of revenge?" Gray asked coldly. "Last I checked, we were the ones holding the weapons."
"Oh, you'd be surprised at what I've got up my sleeve." Jude said loftily. "So, tell me, are you going to hand over Lucy?"
"No. Caking. Way." Natsu stepped forward, his hand on the trigger of his fireworks cannon. "You're going down, old man."
"I second that." Erza said, drawing her swords. All around the room, those who had weapons pulled them out, and those who didn't got into a fighter's stance. They didn't have Self-Defense classes at the Academy for nothing.
Jude regarded all this calmly. "So it's come to this, then. A fight."
"You've got it." Erza told him, and lunged. Jude dodged her sword just in time to save himself, but the blade pierced his watch, which fell to the ground, useless. Lucy almost didn't catch what happened next.
Jude's eyes flashed with something Lucy recognized as glee. He knew something they didn't. He'd wanted Erza to attack. So that meant…
"Trap!" Lucy shouted, and Erza spun around, swords at the ready. Nothing happened.
Several seconds passed before Jude finally started laughing.
"Silly girl. What're you waiting for? Attack!"
Erza hesitated, but Natsu took the initiative and launched a kick at his face. Jude blocked it with his forearm, and with a loud, ringing crack, another watch was broken. Lucy was now wondering what he was thinking. It was almost as if he didn't want to hurt them…
But no, that couldn't be it. Definitely not.
"You're never getting me!" Lucy yelled, pouring all of her frustration at not being able to figure him out into her voice. "Never! No matter how much money, or technology, or people you can bribe to join you, you'll never get me. Never."
Jude simply looked at her, and suddenly, a genuine smile lit up his face. "Can I trust you on that?"
Lucy was completely taken aback. "What?"
"Do you fully trust your words? That no matter how much money I have, I can never capture you?"
Lucy was at a lost for words, but Natsu spoke up easily.
"Yeah. That's right." His eyes were narrowed, and he was scowling. "You're never getting your hands on Lucy."
"Then that's that." Our of nowhere, Jude tossed her a package. She braced herself, thinking it was a bomb. It wasn't, and landed with a thump at her feet.
She picked it up gingerly. "What's this?"
"An explanation." Jude turned around and started heading for the door. No one tried to stop him.
In the doorway, he paused for just a second, and turned. Lucy was shocked to see that his eyes were full of tears.
"Oh, and Lucy?" he added, still smiling, "I'm sorry."
And with that, Jude Heartfillia left the room, leaving the team completely unharmed.
xXx
Three days later…
"Are you gonna open it?" Levy prompted. "C'mon, Lu-chan, you know you have to do it sometime."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll do it." Lucy's voice trembled, just like her hands as she picked up the package Jude had given her. "I'll open it."
After the extremely confusing encounter with Jude, the team had been taking it easy. This meant slacking off in the worst way possible, which was why they'd all skipped class to go to Fairy Tail.
It had taken Lucy three days to work up the courage to open the package, and needing moral support, she'd called the team to help her. This was why they were all in Fairy Tail, staring at the little white package.
Slowly, Lucy untied the string, and a stack of letters fell into her lap. Letters?
She opened one and silently read it. By the time she finished, tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"So? What does it say?" Sting prompted. Lucy looked up, smiling through her tears.
"Here. I-I'll read them all to you."
Her voice cracked and wobbled as she read the letters, and she couldn't stop crying.
From Byro of Imatatia Inc. to Mr. Jude Heartfillia,
It has come to my attention that my son, Dan Straight, is now eligible for marriage, and he is most desperate to have your daughter as his bride. This is not a negotiable issue. You will hand over Miss Lucy Heartfillia, or I will find a way to take her from you. And I warn you, my servants are quite skilled in such things.
From Mr. Jude Heartfillia to Byro,
I'm sorry, but I will not hand over my daughter to you under any circumstances. My wife and I both agree that your son Dan Straight is not a good match for her. Kindly do not reply, as we do not need to hear your excuses.
From a much later letter:
From Byro to Jude,
The tragedy that happened today was a warning. Do not argue with me on any matters, or you will find that I am quite a dangerous man. Your wife was a warning. Your daughter will be next, if you do not obey my wishes.
From even later letters:
From Jude to Byro:
All right. I will obey you if you swear not to harm my daughter. I have given in, but if you lay a hand on my daughter, I will not forgive you.
From Byro to Jude,
Enclosed are two wristwatches equipped with cameras and voice recorders. You may not take them off at any time. If you do, I will know, and our contract will be null and void, making your daughter's fate mine to decide. This is to ensure that you will honor our deal. Do not betray me.
The most recent one read:
From Byro to Jude:
Have you found the girl yet? I'm warning you, my patience is running out. You have two weeks. Find her – or else.
The team was completely stunned after the reading of this last letter. Then, Lucy took out the one she'd read first, the one that had sent the tears streaming down her cheeks.
To my beloved Lucy,
I don't deserve to be called your father, and I know it. If you are reading this letter, then I will have either found a way to bypass Byro's spy cameras, or am dead. I am writing to tell you that I am deeply sorry for everything I have done to you. I only wish I could take it all back, and start all over again.
Imitatia Inc. is a company that is run by a very dangerous man, and it is a very dangerous foe. I have failed to defeat them, and it is now up to you, my dear. If anyone can do it, it is you. I leave this to you, in the case that I may be dead.
But if I am not dead, remember that you are not alone. I will be watching, and will lend a hand in any way I can. For Byro murdered your mother and my beloved wife, and for that, I will not forgive.
But enough about Byro. Now, I will speak to you.
I am so, so, sorry, my Lucky Lucy, for ignoring you and treating you so cruelly for all those years, from your mother's death until now. It was not my wish, but Byro was watching. He always is. I know these simply sound like excuses, and that there is no forgiveness for what I have done to you. Please do not forgive me.
As for why your mother was going to Crocus that fateful day, do you remember the date? It was the day before your birthday, my dear, and your mother insisted on being the one to go to buy your present. There was an important businessman in town that day, and that made for a fine excuse to go. I had no idea what the consequences would be then. I'm so sorry, Lucy. So, so sorry.
My dearest daughter, you have grown into a fine young woman, who is capable of doing anything. You can be anyone you wish, my dear. You can do anything you wish. I trust your judgment, and am extremely proud of you. You have no idea how much it hurt to ignore you, to see your tears and anger. For that, I must say again, I am so sorry.
I am running out of space and time, so this is goodbye, my dear. I hope to see you again sometime, and to see that brilliant golden smile of yours. Heaven knows, it hasn't been able to shine much.
Your father,
Jude Heartfillia
P.S. I approve of Natsu Dragneel. That boy is on fire. You have extremely good taste
By the end of this last one, even Natsu was crying and laughing at the same time. Lucy wanted to jump up and scream out her happiness to the sky. Her father didn't hate her. He still loved her, despite it all! This made Lucy the happiest girl on the planet, because, deep inside, she still really, truly did love her father. Really.
"So… Jude wasn't a bad guy?" Levy asked, looking bewildered. "So we were going after the wrong guy?"
"What about Jose? Did he know about this?" Gray demanded.
"Yeah, and Brain!" Wendy chimed in. "Were they in on it?"
Lucy shook her head. "I think they were just paid lackeys to make Father look like he was doing his job. I don't think they knew a thing."
"Well," Natsu stretched. "That's a load off my back. Now all we have to do is take down Imitatia Inc."
"Yeah." Lucy agreed. "But that's for later. Right now, I just wanna forget all about this and relax, preferably at… I dunno, someplace fun, with music, and food, and people…"
"A dance!" Romeo said suddenly. "There's one coming up, isn't there?"
"That's right!" Mira appeared out of nowhere, winking at him. "There is. And you know what you have to do, Romeo. Right now."
"What? Now?" Romeo stammered. "Uh…"
"Don't worry, that's what the dance is for! You're all going, right?" Mira asked the rest of the team.
Wendy shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe I'll just stay in my room and read."
Mira's eyes widened. "Absolutely not!"
Wendy blinked. "How come?"
"Because you're important." she declared. "If you don't come, Wendy, there WILL be consequences. Bad ones."
Wendy's eyes widened. "Count me in!"
Welp. Happy, make-you-wanna-cry moments. And stuff. Yeah.
I can't say I'm happy with how this turned out. I kinda wanted a big, blowout battle, but according to the actual anime and real life, fathers normally don't seriously hate their daughters for no reason. No worries, though! There's still the sequel! I can fill that up with as many kick-butt battles as I want!
Next up, the dance. Then, after that, the final chapter (Boo-hoo).
Well, that's all, so seeya!
Water, out