Chapter 17: Painful Pasts

"This can't be possible." She said softly. "I saw Loke die with my own eyes."

"Hold up." Laxus said. "You know him? The hell? How did you see him die?"

"Laxus stop. You're gonna overwhelm her." Wendy said sharply before turning to Lucy.

"Why don't you start at the beginning, ok?" She said in a soothing tone.

Lucy nodded, tightening her arms around her knees.

"Have I ever told you guys my last name?" She asked.

Confused, the three shook their heads.

"Well, I guess I shouldn't push it off any longer." She said.

"My name is Lucy Heartfilia of Crocus, heir to the Heartfilia business empire."

"Huh?" Laxus looked a little shaken, not because he didn't know, but because Lucy was telling them.

"Those Heartfilias?" Wendy cried.

Lucy nodded.

"No way!" Natsu exclaimed.

Lucy looked at the window, refusing to meet their intense gazes. That name was both a gift and a curse. It was a name known all over Fiore, or what was left of it anyway. As a child, she had loved being a Heartfilia, wearing pretty and fluffy dresses and all those expensive necklaces. It was a dream come true. But then she got older, and the stress was put on her shoulders at the young age of 10. Her father set up her engagement to a total asshole who was also the heir of a powerful company. She was put through hours of torturous lessons on business, only a few of which her father actually taught. She was no longer just a girl, but a piece on a game of chess. She grew to resent her last name, which is why she never told anyone.

"Yup," She said, laughing sarcastically. What would happen now that they knew? Would they hate her? Envy her? Or worse. Blame her?

"That's so cool!" Wendy exclaimed. Huh?

"Yeah! Why wouldn't you tell us?" Natsu asked.

Lucy stared at them in shock. Didn't they know? She turned to Laxus, but he shook his head. His eyes sent her a message: Don't tell them.

She made sure he knew that she was going to talk to him, but respected his wishes. She decided to give half the truth.

"Well… I wasn't sure how you would react…" Lucy stammered.

Natsu laughed. "Why? Did you think that we'd treat you any differently?"

"People would. I mean, the daughter of the Heartfilias… the perfect target for ransom, kidnapping, theft…" Lucy explained.

"I don't mean to sound rude, but your money is null and void now. Besides, you're a Fairy Tail member. So stop calling yourself Lucy of Crocus. You're Lucy of Fairy Tail now. Be proud of that." Natsu said, smiling.

Too cute…

Lucy blushed a little and looked away.

"Besides, I can't see you sitting in a tower like a little princess. You're too violent and scary." He added, ruining the moment. He yelped as Lucy's fist connected with his head.

"I am soo not violent!" She cried. No one dared point out how hypocritical that statement was.

"Wait a second..," Wendy said. "What does that have to do with this Loke guy?"

The light in Lucy's eyes dimmed as the memories surfaced. "I've told you about the day it started right?"

Only Natsu nodded, so Lucy went over a brief summary of what had happened. While it was quite shocking what Lucy had gone through, Laxus had a feeling that it was only the beginning.

Virgo lead the sobbing Lucy up to the roof, where her coworkers were waiting.

"You guys made it?" She asked.

"Pisces and Libra turned." Loke said. HIs attention switched to Lucy who was mumbling incoherently. "My god, Virgo. What the hell happened?"

"The Master and Mistress are gone."

"Turned?"

Virgo nodded.

"Did you take care of them?"

"The Princess did."

"Good Lord… get the girl inside and make sure she has a blanket." Loke ordered Aries, who immediately complied.

"We need to leave. Now. We took care of Libra, but Pisces got away from us. They've already escapes without a doubt, so Fiore is doomed." Aquarius shouted from the driver's spot. The world they knew was about to burst in flames.

Capricorn was the last one to jump in as the helicopter took off, sending off a shot to the zombies chasing him.

"GO GO GO!" He yelled.

Where Aquarius was headed, she had no idea. Crocus was about to be overrun by the disease, so she figured south was as good as any direction.

She stole a glance at the shivering girl in the copilot's seat. If what Virgo had said was true, then Lucy was very strong, which meant that she actually had a chance.

"Aquarius… where are we going?" Lucy asked. Her voice sounded like there was only a thread connecting her to sanity.

"Away honey. Away from Crocus."

"Okay."

Layla had been right, which meant that their spy was right. The disease was out there and it had hit it's target. Only 10 out of the 12 Zodiac guards remained and they were to serve Lucy, but … for how long?

One month later

Capricorn was on watch that night while Lucy and the remaining 4 of the Zodiac Guard slept inside their tent.

Cancer had turned on the first week while collecting water. The disease had spread fast and had reached the less densely populated towns in about 2 days. Survivors were barely getting on and had started to group together. Of course, they knew better than to join a group. They were better off by themselves.

Saggitarius and Taurus had died no less than 5 days later as they were hunting for food. It was then that they had decided to start training Lucy. She was doing better and actually eating. The deaths of Michelle and her parents still weighed heavily in her heart, but each death seemed to affect Lucy less and less as she forced her it to harden. By the time Gemini and Scorpio turned, Lucy didn't seem to be affected at all. After all, it was her who slayed the zombie forms. While they were happy that Lucy was doing okay, they worried about how well she was thriving and about her mental health.

Capricorn, lost in his thoughts, didn't even notice he fell asleep next to the fire. It's safe to say that he never woke up again when a zombie stumbled upon him snoring.

Aquarius and Virgo sprung awake to the sound of teeth chattering and Capricorn screaming. One look at each other and they jumped into action. Virgo worked to wake everyone up as Aquarius grabbed their weapons, some old, some recently acquired.

Virgo, Loke, and Aries went outside to fight while Aquarius stayed to guard Lucy, who was just starting to stir.

"Lucy, wake up. We gotta go." She shouted. Lucy sat up quickly.

"Where's my gun?" She asked, already slipping a sweater over her arms.

"Nuh uh. Virgo, Aries, and Loke are on it. You are just gonna stay here an-"

"ARIES!" A pained voice cried. Lucy grabbed the knife in Aquarius' hands and ran outside without another word. While she was too late to save the shy, but kind girl, she was right on time to witness Loke being bit.

"No," She shouted. Not again.

"I'm sorry Milady." He mouthed as he raised his gun. He wouldn't let himself be another burden for Virgo, who was struggling to keep some of the zombies back.

Aquarius yanked Lucy back inside before Loke pulled the trigger.

"LOKE!" She screamed and tried to run back out, but Aquarius had a strong grip. The shell on her heart broke and tears were streaming down her face.

"Get it together brat." Aquarius hissed. "Virgo is still out there, fighting. For YOU and for Fiore. We need to go. Now."

Lucy nodded and let Aquarius drag her out the back flap of the tent, sneaking away. The last thing Lucy saw was the zombies overrunning the tent they had just vacated as she turned into an alleyway. She felt it as Virgo's last breath slipped away and the transformation took place. The tears were falling heavier now and she counted each one that slid off her face and hit the pavement.

One… for Michelle

Two… for her mother

Three… for her father

Four and five fell together… for Pisces and Libra

Six… for Cancer

Seven… for Taurus

Eight … for Sagittarius

Nine… for Gemini

Ten… for Scorpio

Eleven… for Capricorn

Twelve… for Aries

Thirteen… for Loke

Fourteen… for Virgo

Fifteen… for her whole idea of family

Aquarius' voice brought her out of her grief.

"Lucy. You need to run. There's way too many, so I'm going to stay for a bit to hold them off."

"What?" Lucy exclaimed.

"This is the only way you can survive." Aquarius said. She then proceeded to take two things from her pocket and give them to Lucy. The first thing was a key. The other was her favorite knife.

"Now go." She whispered.

"No. I can't. You're my friend. I can't just let you die."

"GO!" Aquarius bellowed. "Do not argue with me. This is not for you so don't you dare feel guilty. This is for Fiore, or whatever is left of it."

Lucy nodded and ran, tears once again flowing.

Sixteen… for a friend who sacrificed her life

And here's to another chapter!

Responses:

Ushindeshi: You'll see

Fluffy-Experiment: Hope you liked the name I chose! And you'll get to figure out your relationships through all future ones!

KJacket: We'll see! And again, hope you liked the story!

Also, incase you haven't found it yet, I've posted the first chapter to the Pirate Au which is now called Who We Are! If it's up your alley, please check it out!