Erza slowly fluttered her eyes open, squinting against the light streaming through the window. The musty smell of her surroundings made her shoot up with a gasp. Her armor clanked against the metal railing of the bed, making her jump. She stared down and grimaced at her precious armour, scratches and deep gashes covering it.
She scanned the other beds in the infirmary while swinging her legs over the bed. The simple motion bringing her pain throughout her body but she refused to show it.
The majority of her guild mates were laying peacefully, their chests rising rhythmically. Bandages were wrapped snuggly around their wounds, much like her. She made her way out of the infirmary, clashing with Wendy on her way out.
"Oh sorry." She muttered quickly, helping the Sky Dragon up.
"It's okay." Wendy replied in a worn out voice. "It was my fault. I should have been paying more attention."
Erza gave a small smile. "Are you okay? You seem tired."
"I am." She sighed, looking down at her feet. "I've been healing people since Lucy brought them in this morning with Virgo."
Erza's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't see Lucy in the infirmary. "Where is Lucy? Is she okay?" She demanded.
Wendy hung her head, eyes downcast. "I did my best." She squeaked in her already squeaky voice.
Erza gasped. "Where is she!"
"She's in the side room. I sent Carla to ask Porlyusica for help. Her physical wounds aren't too bad, but for some reason she won't wake up."
"Thank you for everything, Wendy." Erza smiled at her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder, trying to cheer her up before she headed towards the side room.
She quietly opened the door and peeked inside the room before completely entering it.
Lucy lay on the bed, a frown on her face as she mumbled in her sleep.
Erza felt a weird magic hovering around Lucy; something she's experienced before. She closed her left eye, scanning Lucy up and down, looking for the signs that would come with the magic she suspected.
"Hmm.. just as I thought." She mumbled to herself, nodding her head in affirmation at what she was seeing. This was indeed interesting.
"Why didn't we hitch a ride with Loke?" Gray groaned, the sun beating down on his head.
"Quit your complaining boy. At least you're alive." Makarov chastised, though his face showed that he agreed with Gray.
The walk back to the guild was brutal for the battered members of Fairy Tail.
Gray kept glancing at Juvia who was struggling the most. He took a deep breath and knelt down in front of her.
"Get on."
"Gray-sama must be tired. Juvia will be okay." She refused politely. She didn't want to be a burden to Gray.
"Quit your yappin' and get on." He coaxed, a little roughly.
He waited a few seconds and thought that he'd have to say something again but his heart fluttered when he felt her cling to his back.
He lifted her up and continued the trek back to the guild.
"Thank you." He heard her whisper, her breath on his neck made his hair stand on edge.
Suddenly they heard a faint voice.
"Gray? Juvia? Are you guys okay? Is Makarov with you?"
"Telepathy...?" Gray said uncertainly, a little confused. He used his ice maker magic to continue supporting Juvia on his back so he could use his hands. He put two fingers up to his temple. "Warren?"
"Yes! Are you okay?" He responded back immediately.
"Yeah... we're on our way back to the guild."
"Okay good. Everyone else is here safe and sound. Keep me up to date."
"Okay."
Gray looked at Makarov who was walking besides him and asked, "You heard that right?"
"Yes." Makarov's face was overcome with relief at the news. "Now, let's hurry up and get home." He said, his voice getting deeper as he increased in size. He picked up Gray and Juvia and took leaping steps back to the guild. Within five minutes, they would arrive.
Makarov and Erza stood above Lucy.
"I presume you have something to tell me?" Makarov inquired. He was ushered into the room as soon as he set foot in the guild.
"Yes." Erza paused before beginning again, "Wendy said she healed Lucy's physical wounds, however, she won't seem to wake up." She looked at Makarov to see his expression. "I didn't think it to be anything. However, something felt off. I'm sure you sensed it as well."
"Yes." Makarov nodded his head. "I sensed it as soon as I walked into the room."
Erza gave a small smile. "Nothing less from our Master." But all traces of her smile disappeared within a second.
"I used my right eye to find out that an enchantment has been cast upon Lucy. For some reason, it can't be seen normally."
Makarov raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the complexity of the situation.
"And what disturbs me the most is that it is a familiar magical energy. But I can't pinpoint who's magic it was that I encountered."
"Mmm..." Makarov put a hand under his chin, deep in thought. "That's quite a predicament."
"What should we do?" Erza asked after a few minutes of silence. "I considered asking Levy to try and decipher the enchantment." She suggested.
"Yes.. that sounds like the best course of action for now. Let's go check in on her." He headed towards the infirmary, Erza following suit.
They reached the bed that Gajeel and Levy were lying in. Gajeel was fast asleep, snoring away loudly and almost entirely engulfing Levy who's eyes were wide open, following a butterfly that fluttered around the flowers planted in front of the window.
"Levy?" Erza looked at Levy in confusion, wondering why she was still with Gajeel; his snoring must be annoying.
Levy looked up at them with hope in her eyes. "Guys, I have to go to the bathroom really badly, but Gajeel is too heavy to move. Please help." She pleaded, attempting to push him off of her but failing. It only resulted in him wrapping himself tighter around her and she groaned in agony.
Erza chuckled at them and came to Levy's rescue. She grabbed Gajeel's arm and pried it off of Levy with ease and attempted to push him onto his other side but he refused to budge. Whatever dream he was having was an intense one because he pushed back with all his might. Erza struggled a little, but managed to make enough space for Levy to wriggle through and high tail it to the bathroom. However, as soon as Levy left the bed, Gajeel pulled Erza and wrapped his arms tightly around her, leaving Erza completely speechless and Makarov staring at them in awe.
Complete silence engulfed the room, save for Gajeel's loud snores, and then Makarov's laughter filled it. He pointed at them while clutching his sides, Erza's situation too funny not to laugh at.
Erza blinked a few times, her mind going blank from finding herself engulfed by Gajeel, facing his chest. She struggled to get out of his grip, pushing against his chest roughly. But with each push, his grip got tighter. She gritted her teeth as she thought of a way to get out of the situation without using violence since she didn't know how badly hurt he was. She was deep in thought until a particular noise got her attention.
"Levy..." Gajeel murmured as he puckered his lips and made kissing noises.
His lips got closer and closer to Erza's cheek and her expression dropped to one of pure horror.
Just as he was about to land a kiss on her cheek, Erza's resolve to avoid violence broke and she punched Gajeel up into the high Heavens.
He quickly got up, stumbling as he was still in a daze, clutching his cheek. "What the hell?!" He yelled in confusion.
He looked at Erza whose cheeks were as red as her infamous scarlet hair. She had her arms crossed tightly around her. He then glanced at Makarov who was rolling on the floor in a fit of laughter, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes.
He became even more confused and a bad feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. "What the hell happened?!" He demanded again as he walked toward the two.
"Stay away from me!" Erza yelled as she instinctly punched Gajeel, sending him flying into the wall with a thud. Levy walked in immediately after, took a glance at a moaning Gajeel on the floor, looked at Erza who was huffing, her cheeks reddening by the second, and turned around and walked back out the door.
"Don't leave me with this psycho, Levy!" Gajeel called out after her. He grunted in pain. "What the hell is your problem?" He groaned, slowly getting to his feet and bringing a hand up to his face.
Erza was too mortified to say anything.
"You gonna tell me?" Gajeel was getting irritated, more so at Makarov who was only now getting a hold of his laughter.
"Don't you dare tell him." Erza snapped, wrapping her arms around herself once again.
Gajeel frowned. "Ah whatever." He dismissed, walking towards an empty bed far away from Erza.
Levy reappeared, two waters in hand. She handed one to Gajeel who gratefully took it.
"Hey Levy. Do me a favor?"
She raised her eyebrow at Gajeel.
"I'm hungry."
Levy's face reddened. "Do I look like a kitchen to you?" She snapped.
"Aw, but you make some of the best iron." He looked at her as sweetly as his face would allow him.
She sighed in defeat. "Fine. Solid Script iron!" A piece of iron fell above Gajeel and he grabbed it eagerly, devouring it on the spot.
Erza cleared her throat, grabbing Levy's attention.
"How are you fairing?" She asked.
Levy looked herself up and down, flexing various parts of her body. "Besides some bruises and cuts, I think I'm doing fine."
Erza smiled. "I'm glad. And you Gajeel?"
"Would've been fine but you had to punch me. Twice." He said bitterly.
She smirked, not regretting it, which seemed to tic off Gajeel who's face had annoyance written all over it.
Her smirk got wider but she turned to Levy, getting back on track. "I have something important to talk to you about. Come with me." Levy titled her head to the side but shrugged her shoulders and followed Erza and Makarov out the guild infirmary and into a side room.
"Do you sense it?" Erza asked Levy as soon as they stepped passed the door frame.
Levy nodded her head. "What is that?" She asked, wrinkling her nose at the intense feeling.
"That's what I was hoping you could help us figure out. Lucy has an enchantment placed on her. One that can't be seen with the naked eye." Erza explained, looking at Levy to see if she understood.
Levy's eyes widened for a split second. "I know what that is now." She stated immediately, taking in Lucy's condition and Erza's words.
"You do?" Erza exclaimed, relieved.
"Yes. It's a type of Dark Erciture, something similar to Freeds. If I'm correct it's a nasty enchantment. It keeps the unlucky soul in a continous nightmare based on memories, until the caster breaks the spell or someone can decipher it. The side effects are horrible if the spell is left on too long."
Erza frowned at the news. "What kind of side effects?"
"It's hard to say. But typically it's symptoms like amnesia or hysteria because of the intense nightmares that traumatize the psyche into wanting to forget those memories."
"Do you think you can decipher the enchantment?" Makarov spoke this time. His face looked worn out with worry.
"I'll try my best." She stated. "I learned a thing or two from Freed." She smirked, remembering her lessons with him.
"That's fantastic. Thank you Levy." Erza smiled, hopefully things were starting to turn around for the better.
"Yup! I just need to grab my books and to lift the obscuring enchantment that was placed on top of the Dark Erciture to study the runes properly."
"Alright, let us know if you need anything."
She smiled at Erza, giving a thumbs up as she walked out the door to gather her stuff.
Makarov walked up to Erza. "We need to find Freed. Dark Erciture isn't a common magic."
"Yes, I know." Erza mumbled to herself, putting a hand up to her chin in deep thought.
"Gather Jet and Warren for me." Makarov ordered.
"W-what?" Erza asked, taken aback.
"Jet's speed and Warren's telepathy could come in handy in locating Freed. Or the very least the Thunder Legion."
Erza nodded her head in understanding, the two would make a good team. "Very well." She said, walking back to the infirmary to check up on them and send them to Makarov.
Makarov walked up besides Lucy again and looked down at her in dismay. Beads of sweat rolled down her face and her expressions ranged from looking like she was in crippling pain to utter horror.
Pain flashed through his chest again and he took deep breaths to control it. His children needed him, and now was not the time to be weak.
He sighed, the one thing that was stressing him out the most was Natsu. Makarov took a seat and reevaluated his actions. "Natsu should be at Porlyusica's place right about now." He mumbled to himself, as he gulped imagining how angry Porlyusica must be. But Natsu needed a more intense treatment than Wendy could give him right now, and a favor only Porlyusica could accomplish.
He suddenly sneezed, "Oh boy. I'm in hot water now." He rubbed his nose as he feared for his life.
"That insufferable old man. Never changes!" Porlyusica flipped angrily through the pages of one of her healing books. "Bringing humans of all things to my doorstep like I have to heal them. Ha!" She complained to Loke who stood awkwardly in the corner, not daring to say anything. "And to top it all off he also asks me for a ridiculous favor! The nerve of him!" She yelled as she grabbed ingredients off her shelf.
"The next time I see him I'll give him more than a piece of my mind!" She resolved, clenching her fists. She turned her piercing gaze towards Loke.
"You there boy!" She pointed at him. "Don't just stand there, give me a hand!" She commanded.
"Yes ma'am." Loke replied in a trembling voice, quick to oblige her order in fear of her rath.
"Go into my garden and grab me three of the bell shaped blue flowers."
"Yes!" Loke said quickly, running into the garden.
Porlyusica glanced back at Natsu who's breathing was ragged. Nothing too serious, but if not healed immediately would cause a problem in the future.
Loke came back. "Here you are ma'am!"
She glanced at the dainty flowers and then pointed to a bowl with some sort of liquid inside of it. "Put that in there."
She grabbed some bandages, placed her ingredients on the bedside table and began to work her magic. First, she began by removing whatever traces of dark energy remained trapped in Natsu's body.
She grabbed a jar of white powder and sprinkled it all over Natsu's body, letting it set before she hovered her hands above his body, locating the dark energy, picking it out of his body and purifying it. The process took several minutes as leaving any trace of dark energy would make recovery difficult.
Loke looked on in awe. Not many skilled healers like Porlyusica showed just anyone their techniques.
She then grabbed a petal from one of her jars and placed it on Natsu's tongue, the petal burst into flames as soon as it came into contact with his tongue.
Loke's eyes widened. He recognized that petal. It was from a rare flower only found in the Celestial Realm.
"You're probably wondering where I got the flower." She broke the silence. "It's only found in the Celestial Realm, correct?
"Yes."
"Well, mind your own business." She snapped. "There are some things better left unknown."
"What?!" Loke blurted out, irritated. It's not like he even brought it up.
Porlyusica gave him a look but said nothing. She just continued using her ingredients to heal Natsu's various wounds. Minutes passed until she said something again. "Grab that bowl with the flowers in it and bring it here."
Loke did as he was told and Porlyusica added a pinch of something red to it that not only made the flowers dissolve into the liquid but also congealed it. She grabbed chunks of it and rubbed some on Natsu's chest and forehead. Suddenly, she got up, went into another room and came back with a bag of glinting objects. She sprinkled the shards of what seemed to be Lacrima all over Natsu's chest and forehead.
Loke looked on in curiosity as the shards began to glow. "So this is how it's done..." He mumbled to himself.
"Now we wait for the shards to assemble themselves." She said, cleaning up her things and placing them back.
Loke was about to help her when a frantic knock resounded throughout the place. "Ms. Porlyusica!" I feminine voice called through.
"Who could it be now?" Porlyusica mumbled bitterly as she opened the door.
Carla stood before her.
"Carla?" She asked in surprise. "Where is Wendy?"
"Back at the guild tending to Lucy. But we need your help."
Porlyusica raised an eyebrow at Carla.
"Lucy's physical wounds are healing, but she won't wake up. And Wendy senses something is off, but she is too tired from healing so many people to do much more." Carla looked down, almost worried to death about Wendy.
Porlyusica had a grim look on her face. "Did it have something to do with Natsu?"
Carla nodded her head.
"You!" Porlyusica yelled as she pointed to Loke who was listening intently on their conversation. "Go get Lucy. And whatever you do, don't wake her up."
Loke had a serious look on his face as he nodded and created a gate.
They watched him as he disappeared through the gate.
"Is it that bad?" Carla asked worriedly.
"Not exactly. But it'd be better to have her here..." She replied, bringing a hand up to her chin thoughtfully. "Who knows what state she'll be in when she wakes up." Porlyusica mumbled to herself, turning over in her mind all the possible scenarios.
Loke reappeared in the side room, almost tripping over a book lying on the floor.
"What the?" Books were scattered all over the place, and Levy was at the end of the trail with her magic reading glasses on. "What's going on?" He demanded, seeing the enchantments hovering above Lucy.
"Loke, what are you doing here?" Makarov asked, surprised to see him. "What happened to Natsu?"
"He's doing fine. But Porlyusica asked me to bring Lucy to her." Loke explained quickly.
"Why?"
"She didn't say much, but she was very insistent on not waking Lucy up."
"Oh?" Makarov was taken a bit back by the news. Porlyusica willingly healing a human, that was certainly odd, and concerning.
"I was just about to crack the code on the runes." Levy chimed in, placing a book mark in the book she held in her hands. "If I don't take off the enchantment now, things may get more complicated."
Loke looked conflicted. He didn't want to disobey Porlyusica, but he couldn't leave Lucy like this either. "Agh!" He yelled in frustration. "Fine, dispel the enchantment."
Levy nodded her head, and walked up to Lucy, reopening her book. She glanced at it every so often as she moved various runes, slowly breaking each enchantment placed on Lucy.
What seemed like hours was only minutes as Makarov and Loke stared on, their bodies tense.
Everyone held their breath as the last enchantment was broken. Levy stepped back from the bed and waited for the effects to completely disappear. If anything, she hoped it would only be minor amnesia.
Loke got a hold of himself and took long, determined steps towards Lucy to bring her back to Porlyusica. But before he could even touch her, her hand started to twitch and she started to breath heavily as her eyes rapidly moved back and forth behind her eyelids. And then it happened. She shot up and let out a blood curdling scream as tears streamed down her face. She made incoherent sentences as she looked around, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
"Oh no! I didn't break it in time!" Levy yelled above the screams. She grabbed Lucy by the shoulders and guided her so she was facing her.
"Lu! It's your friend Levy! You're in the Fairy Tail guild with your Celestial Spirit Loke and our Master, Makarov." She explained, trying to calm down Lucy.
Lucy's hysterical screams went down a notch, but she continued on, hyperventilating.
"Go now!" Makarov yelled, snapping Loke out of the shock he was in.
He picked her up gently yet firmly as she was struggling against his grip and left through the gate reappearing in Porlyusica's house. The screams continued, ricocheting off the walls and Porlyusica ran to Loke, putting a hand over Lucy's forehead and using her healing magic to calm Lucy down.
"I thought I told you not to wake her up!" She yelled, furious that her orders were ignored. "Go lay her down on the couch!" She snapped, grabbing a solution off her shelf and smearing it on Lucy's forehead which seemed to calm her down even more, ceasing the screams.
However, it was too late. A thud was heard from behind her, followed by an object rolling on the floor. "Lucy?" A gruff voice mumbled.
Natsu got up, the remaining Lacrima pieces on his chest falling to the floor, joining the already fallen, fully formed one from the pieces placed on his forehead.
"This is specifically why I told you not to wake her!" She yelled angrily, still treating Lucy. She knew Lucy's screams would wake him up, disrupting the Lacrima shards from forming.
"Lucy? Are you okay?" Natsu got up on wobbly feet and headed towards Lucy.
"Restrain him so she doesn't see him!" Porlyusica commanded, urgency in her voice. "Who knows how she'll react to seeing him!"
Loke quickly put Natsu in a headlock and turned him around but it was too late.
"Who is he? And how does he know my name?" She asked, looking around Porlyusica but still seeming to remain calm thanks to Porlyusica's quick thinking and healing powers.
"Lucy?" Natsu asked softly, distraught by her words as he struggled against Loke's grip to look at her.
Porlyusica sighed. "Let him go. The damage is already done." She got up and picked up the fully formed Lacrima, scowling at the pieces on the floor that didn't form. "This is why I hate humans." She grumbled as she turned her attention back to the two to make sure nothing got out of hand.
"Lucy, you really don't remember me?" He asked, kneeling down in front of her so he can look her in the eyes. "It's me. Natsu. Mr. I'm all fired up, come fight me Gray?"
Lucy giggled but then she shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, but I have no idea who you are."
Thanks for waiting everyone! So glad I got my motivation/creativity back. I've been rewatching Fairy Tail so I guess that helped a lot. Anyways, I want to thank all of you that left reviews on my story! They make my day and motivate me to continue my story. Thanks again for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!