Three Days Later...

(In the Guild)

"Mira, has Luce come back yet?" Natsu asked, taking a seat at the bar.

"Not yet. It's taking her longer than I imagined. I hope that she's okay..." Mira trailed off, horrible thoughts of kidnapping, mugging and her friend getting lost entering her mind.

"That's it, I'm going after her." Natsu stood up, heading towards the door.

"Wait, Natsu! It would crush her feelings!" Mira shouted after him, catching the attention of a few other guild members. Natsu stopped and turned to face the white-haired mage. "She's never really gone on a job by herself. How would it make her feel if you stepped in?"

Natsu was silent for a moment, thinking about what he should do. "Then I won't get involved unless I need to. I'll keep my distance. I just need to make sure she's safe. C'mon Happy! We're off!"

"Aye, sir!" Happy yelled, flying after his pink-haired friend.

"Wait, Natsu! Do you even know where you're going?!" Mira shouted.

Natsu stopped once more, flinching. "U-uh.."

Half the guild face-palmed. Natsu really jumps into things rather quickly...

(Back To Lucy)

I woke up on a cold, uneven floor. My body felt heavy; like lead. My head was throbbing with pain. Shakily, I sat up. I had absolutely no idea where I was. The air was cold, and the air smelled like mildew. Maybe I was still in the cave...?

Letting out a groan, I stood up, leaning against the cold, damp wall for support. It felt like a cave, too. I began to walk forward, hoping that was the way to the exit. I wanted to go home. The thought of Natsu popped into my head. He'd come for me, I know it! He wouldn't leave behind a nakama.

But that thought stopped me in my traps. How many times has he come to my rescue? How many times have I had to depend on him? Too many times. I could do this myself, right? I wasn't that weak, was I? No. I'm not. I'll get out of here.

With my new found determination, each step I took felt lighter. I kept getting faster until I was at a full run. I had to get out of there. I have to go home!

After a few minutes of running, I heard what sounded like voices ahead. It sounded like an argument. I slowed down and crept closer to the wall. Turning a corner, I saw a dim light illuminating the faces of two people, a girl and a boy.

"It is Starla! She has to be her! You saw what she did when she touched her carving!" the girl explained. Were they talking about me..?

"There's no way it's Starla. She died 50 years ago!" the boy said, frustrated.

"There's a thing called reincarnation, bakka! It's her reincarnated. Think about it; she's a Celestial Spirit mage, based off the looks of her keys, and when she touched the carving, it lit up! Isn't that enough evidence?"

"... I do see your point. But do we do?"

"Carry out the orders we were given."

"You mean what our ancestors were given?"

"We have to. It's our duty."

"You think the Gods will take her life as a sacrifice?" the boy asked, unsure of this information. Sacrifice? For the Gods? I have to get out of here! I thought, frantically.

"Open, gate of the maiden, Virgo!" I shouted. Virgo popped up next to me. "Punishment time, hime?"

"The girl!" both of the figures said unanimously. But, they were too late. Virgo had already started digging a hole leading out of the cave.

When we broke surface, I could see the town. I thanked Virgo, who vanished with a poof, and began to run towards the town. The moon was already out, but it was bright to me, considering I had been in a dark cave for a long time.

When I reached the town, I looked back to the woods. I could vaguely see two figures emerging from the trees. They were running at full speed. Panicking, I turned to run, but I ran into something. Or rather, someone.

"Oi, watch where you're goi- Luce?" said a familiar voice. Natsu?

"Natsu, what're you doing here?" I asked, confused as to why my partner was here.

"Happy and I were worried, so we came to look for you."

"Aye!" the blue cat cheered, popping up out of nowhere.

"Ack! Happy! Where'd you - never mind that. We need to run!" I exclaimed, grabbing Natsu's hand.

I glanced back. The two figures were getting closer! They were already in the town, just a few houses back!

"Luce, what's -" but Natsu didn't get to finish his sentence. I was pulling him with me towards the mayor's house. My heart kept racing, and my mind was blank.

Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks. What was I doing? I couldn't move, nor could I breathe! My hand fell from Natsu's, and I collapsed to the ground.

"Luce, what's going on?!" Natsu exclaimed, concern and worry flashing in his eyes. "Luce, answer me, plea-" but Natsu didn't finish. Instead, he dropped next to me, wheezing.

"Happy... go get... help.." I chocked out.

"But... What about you guys?" Happy asked, tears in his eyes.

"Go!" I shouted, my vision blurring. Happy began to cry, but shot in the air, promising he'd come back for us.

"Heh, so you tried to escape, huh, Starla? That's a bad little girl!" the boy stooped next to me and smirked. "I'll punish you later. And as for your friend, I guess he'll have to tag along with us."

Then, everything went black.