My nails dug harshly into my soft palms, yet the malnourished keratin was not nearly strong enough to pierce them. Through teary eyes I looked over to my cellmate and friend. A well-concealed grimace settled on his face as Zastel was gripped by the shoulder of a guard that comparatively lacked any emotion to his own. Courtesy of the saint of a Master, Gradelt, Zastel was allowed to be with me for the procedure.

Much to my relief, the lacrima didn't need to be implanted via cutting me open. It would be pressed to my body and magically be absorbed into the location of contact. Unfortunately though, I was told it would not be a pleasant experience. If I had any say in the universe I was, I would have begged to have been dropped off straight at Fairy Tail with a dragon lacrima already implanted in me. But regrettably I was not given the choice and am now stuck here, strapped to a metal table, and about to have an experimental lacrima shoved into me by an evil madman.

I winced at the bright light that was turned on directly above me and sick nervousness filled me with the approach of my captor and 'surgeon'.

"Now, how is our little patient? Comfortable? Good. Good. Now, make sure to sit still, wouldn't want this ending up somewhere it shouldn't!"

An evil cackle emanated from his mouth and I kept quiet. He looked over at Zastel and that nervousness increased tenfold. I would prefer his disgusting gaze on me over the boy any second of any moment.

"And our audience, how are the seats? Comfortable? Great!"

Snapping his eyes back on me I internally relaxed and vomited simultaneously.

"Now, let's not delay any longer, hmm?"

With his dreaded gloved hand, he picked up the small orb and brought it closer to me. I couldn't lie. Though everything about it scared me, it was incredibly pretty to look at. Shame it was about to enter me and probably end my life for the second time in my conscious memory.

Another person I'd failed to see or pay attention to came up to my other side with a pair of scissors and I paled. I thought they weren't going to cut me open?! My protest died at my lips, and I could only watch as the sharp object came closer. The woman whose hand was attached to the handles followed the side of my body to the area just below my thigh to where I couldn't see anymore. The sound of snipping and a tugging was felt before I realized she was cutting up the side of my dress.

I panically looked up at the three men in the room and watched with copious amounts of despair when I realized that they were all about to see my nude body. My child nude body. Unable to keep quiet for something like this I begged up at Master Gradelt with watery eyes and a shaky voice.

"P-please. Please turn around? I- I don't…"

A sickly sweet smile looked down at me and I was relieved when he held up a hand.

"Very well, pet. But only because you asked so nicely."

I exhaled and nodded as much as I could with my neck clasped down. He nodded to the guard holding Zast and the three of them walked out of the room, but not before Gradelt ordered the woman to do something about covering my 'uncouth bits'. She silently nodded before we both ended up watching the door close.

After cutting away my dress, that was ultimately burnt away with her fire magic, of which scared me shitless, she procured a white sheet that she cut down the middle. She unlocked my neck clamp and I did the best I could to aid her in creating a wrap for my top and bottom. What I was left with was a halter top and skirt that came down to my knees. I thanked the woman before she reclamped my neck down and gave me a minute nod to inform me she had heard me.

She walked over to the door and knocked on it, the guys all filing back in and returning to their previous positions. For some reason Zast seemed much angrier than when he was before leaving to go wait in the hall.

"Now enough delays. I grow impatient."

The orb that he'd taken out with him in the hall was pressed to the area just below my chest and above my stomach. At first, all I felt was the cool surface of the lacrima. A beat after though I released a vocal-cord tearing scream. I pulled harshly against my restraints as I would against being electrocuted, except this was so much worse. It felt like a million glass shards were piercing into my skin and digging deeper and deeper.

"Stop it! You're hurting her!"

"Well what did you expect, little boy? That it would be pleasant? Fool, haven't you ever heard the proverb 'no pain no gain'?"

I could only just barely focus on their words. I was so consumed with pain and a new nauseousness that I was sure meant this thing wasn't supposed to be entering my body.

When I finally reawoke I was back in my 'comfortable' cell. Though, this time there was no mattress. They had also taken the blanket and pillow, leaving an indentation in the corner of the rug where it had probably been resting for years. I looked around the room, feeling like I was missing or forgetting something. My train of thought was disrupted though when the sound of a key entering the lock was heard and the large metal door was swung open.

At my door stood who I thought was supposed to be Zast, but he looked so different. For one, he looked way less emaciated. Dull, greyed eyes were now replaced with a healthy green hue. His black hair was also cut and styled messily which was such a stark contrast to the long, matted locks he'd had when I last saw him. His skin also looked so much less pallor and sickly. It had a good bit of color to it, and I was even able to see a dash of freckles across his nose and cheeks. Something also definitely new was the outfit he wore as well. It looked like he belonged to a swat team with a black tank top, jacket, cargo pants, and heavy duty boots.

"How are you feeling today? I've brought your lunch for you, make sure to eat it all."

I cocked my head, attempting to feel for anything off. There was nothing that I could find for the most part, but I couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong.

I smiled up at him and stood up from where I was lying on the rug.

"I feel alright, I guess? Something seems a bit off though. Almost like I'm forgetting something. How about you though? You look way better! How did you manage that in only a day? Or better question, how long was I asleep?"

A small frown appeared on his face and I was suddenly concerned for what the answer was going to be.

"Well, you've actually improved. You've only been asleep for a day this time."

I balked at the answer.

"A whole day? Improved?! What the heck?! What the hell happened to me to cause something like that?"

He sighed and set the tray he was carrying on the floor over in the corner. He closed the door behind him as he entered, and leaned against it.

"Do you remember anything before waking up just now?"

I closed my eyes and tried to reach back for anything from before my supposed day-long slumber. I came up with quite literally nothing other than my knowledge that Zast and I have known each other awhile and that I've been kept in this room secluded for some reason. Though I guess that doesn't really count since I could have guessed that with my surroundings.

"I remember there being a bed over there before."

He dropped his head down into his hand and swept his hair back exasperatedly like I was an idiot or frustrating him. He looked me deeply in the eyes and approached me. I nervously watched as he got closer and it was only now that I'd realized how much taller he was than me. He lifted a finger and poked me right above my stomach. I laughed as it tickled and took a step back before glaring at him.

"Hey! What was that for?!"

"Lift your shirt and look where I poked you."

I gave him a harshly perplexed look, but as he didn't approach me I figured he was serious. I turned around and lifted the bottom of a shirt I didn't remember putting on. Right where he'd poked me was a starburst shaped scar. I looked back up at him over my shoulder and back down to the scar.

How had I…?

All at once I was slammed with an intense phantom pain that had me gagging from the ferocity and vividness of it. I bent over myself, and felt a pair of hands holding my shoulders tightly but comfortingly. Behind my eyelids I saw the terrible truth of what my mind had locked away. I was pulled into his chest and my head was pet soothingly.

"I- There was a- He put a fucking-!"

"Shh… You're okay now. They say you're doing great considering...well…the alternative."

I still couldn't remember everything, but I had enough to understand my situation. I also remembered that I wasn't even from here, which was the sole reason he'd even implanted the thing in me in the first place!

I sighed angrily, but lost much of my fight while in the arms of my friend. I looked over to the food he'd brought in and felt and heard my stomach growl. Zast laughed above my head and pat me once more before releasing me. I puffed out my cheeks awkwardly and turned back around.

"Guess I was right to bring her majesty her provisions, huh?"

I stuck my tongue out at him as he leaned against the door and slid to the floor, leaning an arm on his knee lazily. I sat on the opposite side of him, leaning against the wall and sliding my tray over to myself. Picking up a chunk of bread, I continued the conversation before popping it in my mouth.

"So, what's new since I last woke up?"

He leaned his head against the door and stayed silent a moment before answering.

"Well, I was upgraded into getting a room like yours finally. Though, I have to warn you. Since you seem to be progressing, they're going to start your training soon. That's why you're being fattened up."

He picked up a chunk of my bread and tossed it into his mouth unapologetically. I pouted, making a funny face at him, and pulled the tray even closer to me. I grabbed the largest chunk and ripped it in half, tossing it at him playfully. He grinned up thankfully at me and went about devouring it.

I figured that they would be feeding me better than him, given the circumstances. I could live with portions smaller than this. I'd done it for days before. The more I ate the more I felt a strange tingling where the lacrima had entered me. I wonder just what the heck it was doing to me. Nothing was ever really said about Ethernano from what I remember from the anime. Granted, it had also been awhile since I'd watched it so maybe I was just forgetting things. Thankfully, it really was nothing more than a tingle, and something I could easily ignore.

For the rest of the meal, we ate in silent peace until Zast looked up at me with a lightly flushed face and a fidget to his fingers. I raised a questioning gaze to my face in response.

"There something on your mind? You look like you want to say or ask something?"

He looked away and towards the far wall, flushing harder. Something was mumbled out of his mouth, but I couldn't quite catch what it was.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you. What was that?"

"I said, 'Would you mind singing again'?"

I smiled and lightly laughed at the repeated question.

"Of course, you don't need to be nervous to ask me that. I love singing! What would you like to hear this time? I have a song for just about everything!"

I thought back in mourning for my destroyed phone and all the downloaded songs it had, but I got over it so that I could hear his request. It took him a minute, but eventually he looked back up at me and sheepishly answered.

"I guess just sing how you feel? Even if it's sad. Your songs are the best when you actually sound like you mean the words."

I thought for a moment. How I feel? How did I feel?

"I...I think I have something."

He sat patiently, nodding with a smile while I scoured the room for some sort of inspiration. My eyes landed and stayed to the rug before me, and I traced the lines in it as the image of roads came to mind.

"Used to keep it cool, used to be a fool, all about the bounce in my step,

Watch it on the news, whatcha gonna do, I could hit refresh and forget,

Used to keep it cool."

I placed my finger at the start of one of the lines and began to drag it absentmindedly, dredging up memories from my life prior to becoming trapped here. I couldn't remember much, certainly not any memories of people I knew before, but small comforts such as televisions and all the amenities and luxuries I'd had and taken for granted passed my vision.

"Should I keep it light, stay out of the fight? No one's gonna listen to me,

If I write a song, preaching what is wrong, will they let me sing on TV?

Should I keep it light? Is that right?"

Whether I'd already explained the concept of televisions to Zast or not, I couldn't remember. I didn't think it really mattered though since all he asked for was a song and I could always explain in layman's terms afterwards.

"Way up, way up we go,

Been up and down that road,

Way up, way up, oh no,

We gon' burn the whole house down."

I dug my fingernail into the carpet with conviction, imagining this entire guild burnt to the ground with me and Zast standing atop the smoking rubble. I hope that by this new training I'm about to be put through, Gradelt plans on using me as a weapon like he'd said what I'd falsely assumed was only yesterday. It would give me and Zast a chance to escape. Hopefully.

"Watch me stand in the line, he's only serving lies, he's got something to hide,

We gon' burn the whole house down."

The tingle was now a pretty substantial burn but I figured it wouldn't subside whether I sang or not, and continued.

"Yeah, used to let it go, watchin' magic shows, gawking at the tricks up their sleeves,

Too good to be true, fool, I'm in a room, watched by dark guild masters and thieves."

I figured it wouldn't hurt to put my own spin on the lyrics to fit my situation. After all, it wasn't like the artists were ever going to hear about it with me being here. I sent a fierce glare up to the surveillance lacrima that seemed to have multiplied since my initial escape.

I hope they could hear me.

"Used to let it go, oh no,

Way up, way up we go,

Been up and down that road,

Way up, way up, oh no,

We gon' burn the whole guild down,

Watch me stand in the line, he's only serving lies, he's got something to hide,

We gon' burn the whole guild down."

I smiled over at Zast who shook his head with his palm to his face. That only made me laugh and continue the song, only slightly louder as I grew more confident. The burn in my chest almost completely ignored as I rocked from side to side as I sang.

"We gon' burn the whole guild down!

Should I hang my head low, should I bite my tongue,

Or should I march with this here stranger from Earthland to get shit done?

Used to hang my head low, now I sing it loud! Every person from Blood Oath is gonna get burned down!"

I didn't even get the chance to finish my song when suddenly the carpet we were sitting on ignited.

"Oh, shit!"

Zast jumped up quickly and began stomping the small flame out with his boots while I sat bewildered that I had just witnessed an event of spontaneous combustion.

"What the hell was that? We don't even have any candles lit in here!"

I remained silent as I carefully prodded at the burned material with my finger. It was surprisingly still very warm and smoking as charred bits clung to my finger and powdered beneath it. Our moment of wonderment was shattered with a large clang from the lock on the room door being slid open. From behind the door itself appeared one of the guildmates I remember seeing in the main area where the attempted escape was thwarted.

A surprisingly smooth voice came from the rough appearance of the large man.

"Zastel, it's time."

Zastel merely stared at the bald behemoth before us with little more than contempt. Several beats pass when the man scoffs and shuts the door and locks it behind him again with an unnecessary amount of force.

My captive protector lets out a sigh and I watch his body relax where I had failed to even notice how tense he was before. I wonder what Zast's life has been like in the time I've been amnesiatic and low-key comatose? From what I'd just seen, an accurate word might be stressful.

I stare expectantly, yet patiently, at him and await an explanation.

He sighs and begins to pick up the remnants of our 'feast' while disclosing the meaning behind what BaldyMcScaryface had said.

"I guess they've decided you've received enough rest. That or your little magic trick with the flame was enough of a reason to cut your recovery short. Either way, you're about to go through it. Master Gradelt wants to see the results of his experiment with you, and perform further testing. I've been instructed to take you to a room built and set up specifically for this reason. I'm not allowed to go in with you, so you'll be on your own, but I'll still be allowed to bring you your food and take care of you in the event you get...hurt."

I really didn't like the way Zast was already showing signs of being conditioned; however, I was impressed with the mental resilience he'd shown with his staring contest against the much larger and stronger guild member. Especially since he was only five both physically and mentally.

As much as I was terrified what lay in wait for me in this supposed 'special-made, only meant for my specific training' room, I was actually internally screaming in excitement at the thought of being able to use magic. All humans back on Earth were known for throwing themselves into stories and watching seasons upon seasons of shows aimed at this sort of thing. Something so romanticized as magic sparked the imagination of even the most boring of people.

Furthermore, if I could become powerful enough, maybe I could take these people out for good. Do the Magic Council and civilian populace a favor. Maybe I can ask to train with Zast so we can make plans behind their backs. That would have to be later down the line though. I don't want to end up hurting my only friend in the event my magic turns out to be volatile and dangerous.

I smiled up at my friend and rushed at him in a hug.

"I'll be fine. We'll be fine. Trust me. We will get out of here."

He said nothing as he wrapped his free arm around me, bonking me on the head with the tray and sighed something that sounded like, 'ya idiot'. I poked him lightly in the side and laughed despite the fear clawing at my thoughts. He released me and shifted the tray into the crook of his arm so that he could unlock the door. He then put a pair of magic-cancelling handcuffs on me, as had been apparently made mandatory for this event, and walked me towards whatever fate awaited me next.

"Ah, my sweet lab rat. How much better you look. I saw your little show you put on for me down in your room. I must say it was quite entertaining, if not a little brazen for someone under the care of my lovely guild. After all, it was us that took you in after finding you quite alone and unprotected in the dangerous area of Wolfolk. Who knows what kind of nasty end you might have met if it weren't for me and my children finding you?"

Yeah, yeah. Talk me up. Just because you found me doesn't mean shit, ya creep. I might have been just fine on my own.

"Oh? Now what's with that ugly look? And here I was beginning to think we might be able to get along like father and daughter should."

Oh hell no. I inwardly puked curses and profanity from even the thought of giving this man any semblance of a familial title. I was about to retort when he made a hand motion towards Zast and I was made to be free from my strange, nausea-inducing shackles.

"Thank you, Zastel. That will be all."

My stomach churned further when I watched my child friend bow like a soldier to this snake. I could do nothing but offer a small smile to his retreating form. I turned back around when I heard another pair of shoes and a set of squeaky wheels enter the room from the opposite side. I hadn't even realized the barren state of the room until shifting my gaze to a familiar face. The lady, of which I was assuming was some sort of nurse, that had helped dress me from before stood just behind the guild master, pushing a cart with various items set upon it.

An obvious branding tool was the first thing to catch my eye.

"Oh? Does my pet not like the scary way Master makes sure his pets and children don't get lost? We do of course have another option if you think you can behave."

With his other hand he lifted up a wooden stamp from off the cart that I automatically recognized from the show. It didn't have the same shape as the Fairy Tail one did, but that had little sway against preferring that option against having a metal insignia burned into my skin, scarring me forever. At least with the guild stamp, there are ways I think I remember in which you can remove the mark.

I bit my lip and conceded under the pressure of my lack of pain tolerance. As someone in the body of a young child, I appreciated the accelerated healing factor, but I found it harder to ignore stimuli that affected me negatively.

A pitying smile spread across the princely face of my captor, and I shivered, trying to ignore his outward appearance and focus more on his ugly interior. I hated myself for faltering in my conviction against him, especially for something so fragile and openly false. I subtly pinched my thigh to ground myself and let out the air I'd been holding in my lungs when he put the branding iron down.

"Now, where should we place your lovely mark?"

I could tell the question was rhetorical from the inflection in his voice and I only hoped it wasn't somewhere weird like my face. He tapped his finger to his chin and nodded with a smile that could have conveyed actual pride. Not a second later, the stamp was pressed to my neck and a cold, numbing feeling crept from the spot in which it connected with my skin. I was unable to tell what color or shape I had been tattooed with, but the uneasy feeling that was left with me persisted even as the stamper was placed back on the cold, metal cart.

I took in the expression of both people in front of me. Or at least a misguided person and a monster. The nurse had a pitying smile on her face, and I could only feel an attempt at consolidation from her so I was unable to fault her for what she was helping with. I always believed in giving the benefit of the doubt to others back on Earth, and you bet I would do my damndest to do so again here on Earthland. Some actions were just unforgivable however, and it would take a miracle or a curse for me to ever accept any sort of positive feeling from the man before me.

"Oh, doesn't that just look so charming? Dear, you are going to be someone to be proud of after I'm through with you. Now. onto the next order of business. I'm going to be leaving you in Miss Cel here's hands to get you properly dressed for training. We can't have you wearing a skirt on the battlefield now can we?"

Just as he was leaving he turned his head slightly and looked at me with a grotesquely playful smirk.

"Oh, and Deary? Behave. I'll send your instructor in as soon as Miss Cel alerts me that you're done changing."

With that, he finally left the cold, concrete room. It did little to ease my nerves, but I would take any kindness I could get. I shouldn't let myself get too comfortable though. I don't want to end up suffering later because of it.

I look over at the nurse and get the hint that she is waiting for me to approach her. Odd, but sure, we'll do it your way.

She wordlessly helps me remove my clothes like before, and slips me into what I can only describe as something similar to a full-body wetsuit. The material is much lighter and stretchy than the thick stuff that they're typically made of, and I find that I feel even closer to a sort of superhero with it on. It was a bit edgy for my taste, being mostly black, but it had pretty turquoise lines in a sort of veiny pattern that spread out from what I assumed to be the guild symbol situated where my heart would be: a teardrop with a cutout of a fancy looking crosshair in the largest area. I was also given weights that were wrapped around my wrists and ankles, and I could only guess it was meant to help build my strength passively.

I was instructed to stay unmoving in the room as she left, though not without first leaving me with a very confusing head pat and hug. I nearly broke down then and there. It's scary how even the slightest bit of true kindness from someone other than Gradelt left me feeling so broken. I hugged back fiercely as I attempted to reign in my emotions. I caught a whimper in my throat as she ripped herself from me and hurried off with the squeaky cart.

As she left I curled into a ball on the floor and took deep breaths to try and get ahold of myself. A little voice in my head told me to hate her for doing that to me, while another offered that she was very likely trapped as much as I and Zast were.

Lucky for me I was able to get a hold of myself and wipe my tears away with the soft material of the suit while simultaneously working out my poor, atrophic muscles thanks to the weights. Not a moment too soon either as the far door slammed open and shut in loud, quick succession. My head snapped up in time to see another familiar face.

Red eyes pierced into my soul and tore it to shreds. This was the same woman that had kidnapped me in the first place. I can't, nor care to, remember her name, but those eyes and that long, brown hair in color similar to my own, had me wanting to get out of the room as fast as possible.

She couldn't possibly be my instructor. Please let her just be a messenger telling me my real one is on the way.

"Alright, brat. Listen up! I have a long list of rules that you better damn-well follow, so listen well."

Feck.

"First of all, forget your past name. Your new name is Alex. Get used to it. Second, you do what I say, when I say it. Period. Third, you are to call me Mam or Captain, got it? I'm not your mom, I don't give any fucks about you. To me you are just another dog I need to train. Fourth, Cel is going to treat any magically-induced injuries you sustain during training, but you better damn well learn quickly how to set your own bones if you end up slipping up during physical training sessions. Five, you cry, you get slapped. Six, you slack, you get punched. Seven, you don't stop training until either I get tired of you, you break something, or you pass out! And don't even try faking! I find out you faked passing out just to get out of the session early, I'm dragging one of our torturers in here and leaving you with them."

Bending down, she stabbed a sharp, manicured finger into my chest. I could do little but fall over thanks to my small size and weak balance.

"Did you get all that? Or am I going to have to repeat myself?"

The threat alone of what she would do to me if I asked her to had me nearly swallowing my own tongue.

"No, mam."

"Good, now get up and do what you did in your room earlier."

I looked up perplexed at her. Not because I didn't hear or understand her, but because I had no idea how I'd managed to create fire in the first place.

"Are you deaf? Get off your ass and cast a spell like you did earlier! And don't bother telling me you can't."

I slowly got up and nervously wrung my hands.

"B-but I really don't know how I-"

"Save it. I don't care. Figure it out."

I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I grew increasingly nervous. I rubbed the rug? I was around Zast? I sang? There are so many variables that might have triggered my ability to summon that fire. Defeated and not wanting to be hit, I shifted from one foot to the other and glanced up at my instructor.

"I guess maybe I could try singing again? Maybe the same song even?"

The young adult in front of me seemed to grow angrier with my existence with every minute action and word. It might have just been my self-preservation, but it certainly seemed that way at least.

At last, she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose while waving her other hand in the air.

"Fine. Whatever, just do it."

I took a deep breath and a few steps back to have a bit of distance between us. I was incredibly uncomfortable and embarrassed as I started to sing. By the time the song was over, nothing had happened other than the newly twitching eyebrow of my instructor, and an intense feeling of wanting to crawl into a hole and die. The words I'd replaced in the song didn't help my case either.

"Right. Well. I think I've seen - and heard - enough. Twenty laps around the room. Go."

With her command, I gratefully took off to the far side of the room to follow along the wall. I wanted nothing to do with conversation at the moment, or perhaps even ever again. I'd done well enough to make such a fool of myself, and I had nothing to show for it. I decided the next option would be to continue down the list.

"C-Captain?"

Hands on her hips and a look of being absolutely done with me on her face.

"What."

"I think maybe it had something to do with the rug, or maybe Zast being there with me? C-Could I maybe ask if we could possibly bring the rug in here to try?"

Man, where had my spinal column gone? I was a walking rug myself. Any meeker, and I'd be licking her shoes. I guess that's what happens to self-respect when you're held captive and treated in the way us kids have. Erza was able to harden herself from similar treatment, so why does it seem like I'm going in the opposite direction?

My instructor sighed and sagged slightly, but seemed to at least be contemplating the request.

"Fine. I'll summon the boy and make him bring the rug. Two birds, one stone. Now keep your eyes forward unless you want to end up with a broken nose."

Yeesh. I don't understand how these people can be so cruel to kids so young. Even if I'm not as young mentally, I'm still able to remember what it was like to be a kid, and how even small insults could hurt deeply and permanently. I can't imagine what all of this is doing to my psyche. Nor do I really want to. I just want to keep from being yelled at or hit as often as possible.