Summary: Times were rough when Lords sold their daughters for money and power. A contract was none negotiable once both parties signed. So what happens when Lucy finds herself amongst a group that will do anything for their beliefs? LaLu and other couples.

Authors note: I know, I know. It's been a while But as some of you know, I'm helping with the care if my boyfriends' grandfather, and it really is time consuming. I also work full time so that doesn't make it easier. But to make up for it, I made sure this chapter was nice and long for you all. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I, in no way, own Fairy Tail!

Chapter 4: Fire at Their Feet

"Don't touch me!" She screamed as he twisted his hand in her hair, pulling her roughly from the dirty floor.

"Shut up girlie. This is your fault. Bad girls need to be punished." His voice sliced through her like a knife and she struggled more, ignoring the warmth that trickled down her face. It was only when his foot connected with her stomach that she stopped, her chest seizing as her throat struggled to take in air, "I said enough damn it. I knew blondes were dumb but you're a whole other level! Rich bitch."

He spat at her before throwing her against the wall, a metal pole flying out to catch her under her arm and stopping her descent to the floor.

"Ah. Gajeel. I see our charge is awake."

"Ge he. I figured I could at least get her ready for you." Gajeel smirked as he approached the blonde woman, laughing at the way she wheezed in pain despite the fierce determination in her eyes, "Though I haven't had my fill of fun yet."

"Now, now Gajeel. All in good time my friend." The man that had entered the cell stroked his beard as he approached, his eyes glinting in the dim light, "Isn't that right, my dear, sweet Lucy?"

Lucy just glared, hissing in pain when she tried to move away. Her arm had been pinned to the wall at a height that her already abused body couldn't handle, and any movement pulled at her muscles and wounds.

"No need to be so uncivilised. It truly does pain us to have to treat us this way. But we simply need you to be obedient. Why can't you understand that?" He cradled her free hand, his eyes glinting in the light of the lantern overhead, "You should be a good little girl and listen when we tell you to do something."

"I will not help you! Not even if my life depended on it! I won't be some tool in your power game!" She yelled, smacking him across the face. Her nails dug in, tearing through his flesh with ease, leaving three bleeding mark across his cheeks and nose.

"You filthy bitch!" He screamed as he cupped his bloody head, his eyes wild with pain and rage.

Lucy smirked, shaking out her hand and spraying blood across her already dirty dress, "Bite me." Her words were immediately followed by her scream and her vision was lost in the blinding pain that took over her senses. Pain radiated from her leg and she heaved, struggling to draw breath once she took in the sight of her leg.

"I wouldn't bite you. But a trap will do." Gajeel chuckled as he ripped his arm backwards, yanking the trap, her legs and, evidently, herself, off the wall on towards to floor.

She bit her tongue to stop from screaming out once the metal detached from her leg, the metallic taste keeping her conscious long enough to glare at him, "Fuck you."

"Lady like you shouldn't say words like that." And the last thing she saw was his metal fist fly towards her head."

Her scream woke her and she bolted upright, her chest heaving. Blood pounded through her veins, her hands flying to her legs to make sure it was still attached, the memory of the pain enough to make her wish she were still asleep.

"Lucy! Lucy! Calm down." A head of blue was suddenly in front of her and she blinked, her breath stalling for a moment as she collected herself.

"We-Wendy?" Her throat was raw and she had to wonder just how much she had screamed in her sleep. The memories that haunted her a constant reminder of just what she had endured and what she was trying to escape from.

"Yes. It's me. You've been unconscious for a while. Your magic levels were incredibly low, so I'm really not surprised." A gentle blush covered the young girl's cheeks when Lucy rest her hand on Wendy's head.

"You've been taking care of me this whole time?" Lucy looked around the room, noticing it was just a small hut with a thatch roof and rotten window shutters.

"Yes. I'm the medic. It's my job." Wendy smiled up at the blonde, "I also had to change your clothes, but a maid with pink hair popped up and dropped some things off for you."

The words caused Lucy's eyes to go wide and she swung her legs off the edge of the bed. She was covered in a coral barmaid blouse, completed by the off-shoulder sleeves. It exposed her belly and revealed the brown trousers she had been dressed in. It was all finished off with a thick leather belt and a matching whip, "Virgo…" She tenderly traced the handle of the whip, her mind racing, "Where did she go?"

Wendy jumped at the question, shuffling backwards as Lucy stood from the bed, "I don't know. She popped into existence and straight back out in a cloud of smoke. We couldn't even get an answer out of her before she vanished on us."

"That's Virgo for you." Lucy sighed and stared out the window, watching as people she didn't recognise roamed around the ruined village, "Where are we anyway?"

Wendy giggled before grabbing Lucy by the arm and pulling her along, "Come and see. We're on Tenrou Island! This is the original home of Fairy Tail! This is where our First Master is from."

Lucy gasped when they got outside, using her free hand to cover her eyes from the bright sun.

Everything was glistening, chunks of ice randomly placed about with people occasionally going to chip some of it for a drink or to cook their skin. The one responsible for the ice sat in nothing but his pants, a woman in a blue dress standing over him making it rain, dampening the patch around them. It seemed that her appearance had disturbed the crew however and the pair looked over, the rain sputtering for a second.

"Lucy. It's great to see you up." Gray stood up and shook out his pants, ignoring the way the water dripped down his chest as he approached the blonde. His hand landed gently on top of her head and gave it a gentle pat, "From what Wendy said, I think we have you to thank for saving us."

Lucy's cheeks warmed, looking away from the unfamiliar man before her, "I wouldn't say I saved you. It's my fault you could have all died on the ship."

"Juvia thinks you're wrong." Lucy's head snapped up to see the blue haired woman approach her, "Juvia thinks you saved us. But it was not your fault we were attacked. Fairy Tail and Phantom have had issues for many months. You were just another reason to fight them." Juvia smiled warming at her and Lucy gaped at her.

"But… They destroyed your ship. They hurt your crew. And you don't even know me." Lucy could feel the disbelief in her turn to rage, "You'd have to be insane to help someone like me."

"Well then you'll just have to call us crazy Luigi." An arm wrapped around her her shoulders and pulled her into a one-sided hug.

"My name is Lucy! Not Luigi!" She pushed away, about to continue yelling when she saw a pink haired man grinning at her, "You have pink hair…"

The man huffed and crossed his arms, "It's salmon thank you very much. And I'm Natsu!"

"Aye!" The shout came from behind him and a blue cat popped his head up, "And I'm Happy!"

Lucy blinked at them, unable to process the strange events that had already transpired.

"And we're a little crazy. But as long as you aren't our enemy, you're our friend. So of course we'd help you. And besides, that ship wasn't ours." Natsu placed his hands behind his head, still grinning at her while sharing a look with Gray.

"What do you mean it wasn't yours? Whose was it?" Lucy crossed her arms, not sure what to do with herself.

"Don't know." She bulked at his answer, the words falling from her mouth in a rush.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Her shriek drew the attention of some of the closer crew members and she blushed, ducking her head. She hadn't even know the people more than a few minutes and she was already reprimanding them.

"We were forced to steal a ship in our escape of the port. Phantom were too close and we needed to leave as quickly as possible. Natsu and Gray destroyed our last ship." The voice sent shivers down Lucy's spine and she hesitated to turn around, scared by the look of fear on Natsu and Grays' faces, "We apologise. We don't usually condone breaking the law. It was my idea, please hit me as punishment."

Lucy spun around to see a red head with bowing, her head bent. "No way. No! I wouldn't hit you. Ah, please get up." Lucy waved her hands around, unsure where to touch the woman, "I think we started on a weird, wrong foot… kinda thing. I'm Lucy."

The red head straightened and Lucy was in awe of her beauty, "I am Erza Scarlet. First Mate to Captain Laxus. I would like to thank you on behalf of the crew for saving us."

Again, the blonde sputtered, "I didn't save you. I mean, I didn't mean to, not that I wouldn't have, that is… Uh. Hi." A roar of laughter erupted from behind her and she turned to see Natsu and Gray on the ground from their giggles.

"Nonsense Lucy. We all saw you once you got to shore. And Loke's been really worried about you too." The name snapped her out of her confusion over the morning and she gave Erza a hard stare.

"Where is he?" Her voice was sharp and the others went silent behind her.

Erza blinked before pointing towards a large building down the path towards the centre of the island, "He's with the First Master and Master Makarov in the Library. Why do you wa- Wait!"

No one had time to react when Lucy took off running, her slim feet kicking up sand as she went. Each step thudded dully against the ground, her heart racing as she approached the building. The warmth she had felt when he had held her welled up again in her chest and it drove her forward. She ignored the calls that followed her, focused only on reaching the man that could give her the answers that she needed. Before long she barrelled through the open doorway of the library, the derelict ruins putting a halt to her thoughts.

Shelves were skewed and broken, holding books that were no longer legible. Tables and chairs were scattered about, moth eaten cloths doing little to protect them from the wear of time.

"What in the world…" Lucy stepped carefully through the room, shivering when a cold breeze passed her.

"Princess. Welcome." Loke's voice pierced the darkness and he appeared from the shadows of the room, a young woman and old man with him.

"Loke? Right?" Lucy watched him nod before he pointed to the people at his side.

"That's correct. And these are the Masters of Fairy Tail. First Master Mavis Vermillion and the current Master Makarov. His grandson Laxus technically runs the guild, but everything still needs final approval.

"Wonderful to finally meet you Lucy." The young blonde girl smiled at Lucy, and it was then that her image shifted momentarily.

"Wait… Are you…" Lucy couldn't find it in herself to finish the sentence, the absurdity of it stopping her.

"Dead? Why yes, I am. And because you are on Tenrou, you can see me. But if you were not here, you wouldn't know I was there. Unless you have a guild mark that is." Mavis giggled before approaching, "And I know you have a lot of questions for us. As so do we have them for you. But first, I think you and Loke have a few things to clear up."

Mavis stepped aside to allow the ginger haired man to kneel down, his hands on his knee, "Lucy… I don't know were to begin. Other than confirm your suspicions from the ship." He took a deep breath before looking up at her, his eyes piercing into hers, "I am a celestial spirit. A fact known only to the Masters and Laxus. I was sent her to find you by my King. The Celestial Spirit King."

"The King?" She gasped, her hands twisting in the fabric of her pants, "What would he want with me?"

"He wants what he wanted from your mother, but when she passed, we realised that you were to grow into a far stronger mage than she was." His words took her by surprise and she staggered backwards, bracing herself on the remains of a table.

"That doesn't make sense. This all doesn't make sense. My mama left me her keys. But I'm not strong. I don't know why he needs me." Everything that had occurred since she'd run away weighed down on her and she wasn't sure where to start with relieving her stresses.

"The King hasn't told us what he plans yet. But you are in no danger from us. Indeed, we are here to serve you." He stood from the ground and approached her cautiously, afraid he would scare her off, "Speaking of which… we know you hold a number of our keys… So where are they?"

His words were like a blow to her body and she crumbled, her knees slamming into the ground. Her shoulders shook, hands clasped tightly on a single golden key hanging from her neck, "I lost them. I tried to get away, and lost them. I couldn't protect them and now Papa has them. He tried to use them to bribe me back… Why would you want to serve me when I won't even go back from them?"

Feeling the guilt roll from her, Loke carefully knelt down and wrapped his arms around her, "We can all feel the love that you have for your spirits. Even those of us that aren't yours yet."

"Lucy dear." The blonde sniffled as she looked up, noticing just how close Makarov had gotten, "Can you tell us how you lost them? Why you ran away from home?"

She took a staggered breath, trying to get her emotions under controls, "I owe you all that much."

Lucy wiggled her way out of Loke's hold and leant down, her forehead touching the floor, "I'm so sorry for bringing all this trouble to you and your Guild Master Makarov. Master Mavis. I just-"

A soft pat on her head had her looking up at the little man and he smiled softly down at her, "None of that Lucy. It is because of you that my children are safe on Tenrou. You have nothing to apologise for. Now get up and tell us your story."

She nodded her head, feeling Loke behind her and his reassuring hold on her hand. "I'll start from the beginning. My name is Lucy Heartfillia. Heiress to the Heartfillia conglomerate and Lady of the Family since my mother passed. As you know, marriage in such a family is rarely done out of love or affection. And my father has manipulated that for his own power gain. He tried to have me contracted to a man called Everlue. He's a disgusting man, but he wanted my keys and agreed to fund my fathers work in exchange for my hand – all so he could get them. During one of their discussions, he revealed that he had Virgo's key. When he wasn't paying attention, I snatch it and ran. It was in that pursuit in which I had to leave my keys behind." Lucy let out a wary sigh, "The little details don't matter. But my father hired Phantom to get me back for a few, but they had to be able to keep me in the manor till the contract could be signed. They failed twice so far, and now it seems for a third thanks to you all."

"So you did all that so that Everlue wouldn't get your keys?" Mavis seemed deep in thought as she processed Lucy's words.

"Yes. And I also refused to be part of my fathers schemes. But I never thought he would allow Phantom to do what they've done…" Lucy shivered, pressing a hand to her thigh, feeling the scar through her pants.

"From what Virgo has told me, Everlue is a horrible person, and has done horrible things to get his way. I wouldn't be surprised if your father didn't know what Phantom were capable of and that it was Everlue that told him to go to them with a bounty." Loke rubbed his hand up and down Lucy's back, trying his best to support her.

"So asshole 1 and asshole 2 are in a big power game. And you're their key to getting the big money, right?" Laxus' voice suddenly echoed through the library and they all turned to see him in the doorway, his silhouette surrounded by other guild members. Some she recognised, and others he didn't, "Well, why don't we ruin their plans altogether?"

"Why would you help me?" Lucy couldn't understand the people around her, and his offer was almost to good to be true.

"Loke spoke to me before. And it seems this Spirit King needs you. And that won't be possible if this Everlue shitbag has your keys and does Mavis knows what to you." At his strange words, Lucy looked at Mavis to see the dark look on the First Masters face.

"Yeah. Let's get your friends back Lucy!" Natsu cheer broke the tension and Lucy couldn't help but smile a teary smile.

"Yes. Let's get my friends back."

xXx Contracted xXx

So there is some more explanation to what's going on. More will be revealed later on. As you can tell, there a big plans ahead for the Fairy Tail crew! Let me know what you thought of the chapter!

Thank you also to those that reviewed that last chapter!

Q'Nisa

An Amber Pen

saskiarosee

Beautiful Astrology

Numious-Alqua

CoSmO333

ezcap1st

Guest x2