Erza stood before the entire guild, her heart pounding at the thought that something so small could lead to this. She could hear whispers from her fellow guild mates asking each other what was going to happen or how something should not be done. Erza raised her right hand to silence them, "My fellow guild mates," she began.
"It is with a heavy heart that I must give these orders. Since the recent incident with Lucy and the threat against the guild, the Master and I have decided to disband the guild into two parties." she said scanning the audience, everyone sighing in relief that the outcome is not as bad as they thought. "Party one will be devised of a group of wizards who will join me in tracking down this "Devil" person and hopefully destroying him. Party two will remain here and protect Magnolia."
"I'll help protect the guild!" a proud volunteer said from the back. A group soon followed them in offering to help protect the guild. Finally, Cana and Mirajane came forward, both smiling happily, "We will lead the protection forces." Erza nodded and smiled back at her friends, happy to see that Fairy Tail is always filled with bravery.
"Now then, the master and I have selected this attack force very carefully. If anyone of you objects to being chosen, please come see me. The people joining me are Grey, Gajeel, Juvia, Team Shadow Gear, Wendy, Mystogan," a sudden shock came across the crowd at the mention of his name. Erza lifted her hand again to silence them, "And Elfman and Laxus." With that, Erza walked off the stool and went up to the Master's room again.
Gajeel and the others chosen for the team sat together at a table and shared the same nervous expressions, at least Wendy and Levy did. Laxus was the first to speak, "Something is telling me that whatever it is, Gramps knows about it more than any of us and knows that only we have the skill to track it down."
The others nodded, but something didn't feel right between them. "Why didn't Natsu get chosen?!" a small voice spoke. It was Carla, her paws sitting on her hips as she spoke what was on everyone's mind. Happy was standing next to her, he did not know either but there could be only one reason why. He looked up at the infirmary and began to think about Lucy and her spirit friends. Tears began to fall from his eyes again and he fell onto Wendy's lap. Everyone looked at Happy and then looked at the infirmary door, sadness filled the air once again as they began to think about their friends.
In the infirmary, Natsu was standing by the door. Lucy fell back asleep and he didn't want to disturb her, but he did listen in on the meeting Erza gave. He knew why he did not get chosen to go, someone had to protect Lucy or help her on her own find this person. A small knock sounded from the door, "Come in." Natsu said as he walked back over to Lucy's bed side. It was the Master, he walked in and greeted Natsu with a nod. "I take it she is doing better?" he asked walking over to the other side of Lucy's bed. Natsu nodded, "Yeah, she just fell back asleep. I haven't asked her any questions yet though. I don't want to push her."
The Master nodded, "I'm sorry I did not put you on the attack force. But I need you to protect Lucy, besides; you two make a team of your own in a way. I want you to keep in constant contact with Erza. Every time Lucy speaks of new information, send it to her team. The only thing we can do until an attack can be made is learn." He said crossing his arms and looked Natsu in the eye. Natsu nodded, even though all he wanted to do was just go and attack this villain, they needed to know more. The Master began to walk out of the room, but turned to Natsu once more.
"Please take care of yourselves. I don't need any more of my children near death." He spoke. The Master knew dividing the guild up into two groups was basically putting everyone in that position, but only alone would that risk be great.
After the master left, Lucy began to stir around and woke up again. Natsu smiled and held her hand as she smiled back. "How did you sleep?" he asked gently, brushing her hair out of her face. Lucy shrugged, "It was okay…" she mumbled looking at her teammate. She felt safe around him, always had and always will. A small feeling in her gut urged her to make a move, and she did, "Natsu…" she spoke. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with content but also with anger.
"I want to tell you what happened…" Lucy said gripping onto his hand tightly, "It all happened when we got home…"
I separated from the group and began my usual walk home. The smell of the local bakery filled my nose as I walked passed. I did stop to look at their sweet breads real fast, but then I noticed a dark figure standing a few feet away. When I looked up, no one was there. I brushed it off and continued my way home, occasionally looking over my shoulder.
When I finally made it home, I was greeted by my land lady who told me I had a visitor in my room, but something seemed odd about her. She had this stare…I continued inside and went into my room. A young man was standing next to my desk, holding a picture of me in his hand. He turned to face me; he had pitch black hair with red highlights, his eyes dark brown that held determination in them. I asked him who he was and he only replied with one word, "Nightmare."
I took out my keys and summoned Aquarius out of my tub. She unleashed scorching hot water onto this guy, but he was able to get out and get a good whack at me with his staff. It had a dark crystal at the top that started glowing. He aimed it at Aquarius and zapped her with this dark energy, forcing her to go back to the spirit world. Once she did, Aries summoned herself and put up a shield of wool in front of me, but she too was caught in the dark energy. I grabbed the wool and tried to make a counter attack with my whip, but it was no use. I was hit with the dark energy ray, but it didn't leave me on my knees. I stood up and summoned Taurus and Loke, something I was never able to do until now. Taurus was able to give the man a good beating, as did Loke. But to the Man, they were only a chance for him to rest. He unleashed the dark energy again and this time it blew me out the window. Luckily, I landed on the street, but my body was in serious pain. I began to run a little towards the guild to get help,I looked back to see if he was following me, but he was not at the time. I was only a few blocks away when he caught up with me though. He smacked me with his staff one last time in my rib cage and sent me to the ground. He aimed his staff at me and was prepared to finish me off, but then a bright glow came from my keys. An unknown creature came from it and blasted the man away before he could even take a glance at it. The being lifted me up and gave me some magic energy, it was enough to get me to you guys. But something felt familiar about its energy…it almost reminded me of my mother.
Natsu looked at Lucy, tears streamed from her eyes as she recalled the horrific incident. Something changed though, for Lucy wiped away her tears and had an angry expression on her face. She lifted herself up and clenched her fist, "Natsu, we WILL be the ones to bring him down!" Natsu smiled and gave a laugh, "That's the spirit!"