Lucy whirled around, causing Zach to look at her in confusion. "What is it, Mom?" he asked, the word 'mom' feeling weird in his mouth.
"Zach, the other kids are gone," Lucy says. "Including Jason."
Zach looked around, noticing that he was the only child still here. "Oh. You're right. Why didn't they take me with them?!"
"What if something happens?" Lucy demands. "Luna and Nashi are gone, what if..."
"They'll be fine," Zach says. "It's a pretty big group after all... I feel really left out."
Lucy sighed, still worry. "Oh, they couldn't have brought an adult with them? Zach, stay here. I'm going to go have a talk with Laxus."
"Okay."
But Zach didn't want to miss out on the fun, so instead of staying put like a good little boy, he went to go find the others. They have some explaining to do about leaving him behind. It better be a good reason.
Nashi couldn't believe it. The guard was asleep. Actually asleep. Now is her one and only chance for escape. Nashi bit her lip, leaned over, and snatched the keys from the guard's belt.
Nashi almost celebrated out loud, but she's not out of the woods just yet. Now it's time for the actual escape, which is also the hard part. Nashi took a deep breath and unlocked the cell, causing her to smirk. Freedom was so close, she could almost taste it.
The cell swung open and she tip toed out while the guard simply snored on and on. Nashi did a little victory dance and then quietly ran away. Luna, I did it. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you.
Um, how is Nashi suppose to leave this place, exactly? Nashi wasn't sure which direction to go, but then her ears perked up. Footsteps. Her eyes widened. She dived behind a trash can which was just conveniently there.
Her nose picked up a familiar scent (what is wrong with her nose?). Well, quite a bit of familiar scents. Nashi peeked from behind the trash can to see... Natsu, Lisanna, Gray, Erza, Jellal and and Wendy being escorted by guards. Oh. I can't leave now, Nashi suddenly realized with a sickening feeling. They can end up like Luna...
Natsu sniffed the air as they passed, and for a second, they made brief eye contact, which Natsu quickly looked away, but not before Nashi saw a relieved expression that still somehow conveyed worry.
Then, another scent. Another familiar scent, but also different, which Nashi couldn't fanthom why. But she smelled like...
"Luna," Nashi breathed out.
"Sis!" came Luna's voice as she came barreling toward her and engulfed her in a hug. Nashi was too relieved to care that she was being hugged. So Luna's alive... Maybe Nashi shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. It was never outright said that Luna was dead. She's right here, giving Nashi a hug. Yet something was off.
"Luna... you're okay," Nashi said. "You can let go now, sis."
But Luna didn't loosen her hold.
"Uh... Luna?" Nashi tried to pull away but Luna didn't budge. "Really, let go."
But she didn't.
"Good work, Luna," came a new voice. "You recaptured the escapee."
"L-Luna?" Nashi couldn't comprehend that. Except the fact that not only was her twin sister not dead, but that she betrayed her.
"It was my pleasure," Luna said, finally letting go. She gave Nashi a wry smirk. "Surprise, sister."
"You'll be severely punished," the man said. "Now, we only have six more days to the ritual. Let's go."
Nashi didn't know Luna very long, but this cut her deeply. Plus, Luna could have been allied with them and Nashi wouldn't have know... Luna only came into her life days ago. She shouldn't have trusted her so blindly just because she was her twin. But still, Nashi found herself saying...
"Luna, how could you?"