A/N: If I owned Fairy Tail, LaLu would be a canon and we'd get episodes more often. But I don't. Enjoy the story! :)

18. The Monster Rises

The next morning, Laxus acted as if nothing had happened. He came to pick Lucy up, like on most of the days, bringing breakfast in apology of having nearly destroyed her kitchen. She greeted him with a wide smile and like usual, it made his heart flutter. But he didn't smile back. His face was as rough as ever.

"I'm leaving from here," he suddenly stated, halting. The guild house was a few streets away and she was surprised, because Laxus had never given up a chance to be with her. Not since she had the dragonrider lacrima implanted into her.

He turned on the spot and stalked off, leaving the young celestial wizard flabbergasted. But she recovered quickly and continued on her way to the guild. She entered with a warm smile only to be greeted with the master's grim face and Lisanna's guilty look. Next to her usual sitting place sat a man in a dark cape, drinking whatever Mira had served her. The waitress looked flustered.

Natsu was sitting on her usual seat, staring deeply at the stranger. Lucy sniffed a little, surprised the dragon slayer hadn't noticed her yet, and recognized the smell of man she'd met the night before. She approached them quietly, but not quiet enough for the Phoenix not to notice her. He raised his hand with old parchment.

"Sign this and we can continue," he said, sipping from the half-empty glass. Lucy grabbed the contract and was surprised there was nothing written on it. But she was willing to sign it, if there was a way it would keep her alive.

"Mira, can you give me a pen?" she asked, only to have the dragonrider turn around.

"Sign it with your magic," he elaborated what he'd meant. The girl frowned. "You've never done so?" She nodded awkwardly, cheeks reddening. In fact, she had almost never had to sign anything.

"Lucy.." the guild master said. "You don't have to do this. We'll find another way."

She looked up and smiled at him sweetly, causing a nosebleed to erupt. "But I want to, master."

Her eyes sparkled. She knew it was the only way and the master knew that too. She was not going to give up her freedom of choice for magic she didn't really want. What she had experienced so far, was that the power was cunning and painful, something she never wanted to be.

She turned back to the caped man. He handed her a piece of coal which was still hot to the touch. She felt the power in it, but was unsure of what to do with it. He smiled at her, making her feel even more self-conscious. How had he stayed so youthful? She wanted to know.

All eyes were on her. She gulped, bringing the coal near the paper. "Your name will do," the dragonrider said and without hesitation, she scribbled down her name, Lucy Heartfilia.

The parchment lit up in different colours and Phoenix snatched it, before she could read any words that appeared. He folded it and hid it under his cape. He smiled at her again and there was something dangerous in his eyes.

"Magical contracts can't be ignored or faked," he said sincerely. "So I'd rather get my duties out of the way as early as possible."

"Your duties?" she questioned.

"He means relieving you of your powers, Lu-chan!" Levy piped cheerfully. Out of everyone, she was the only one smiling. Next to her, Wendy was looking worried. She was hugging Charle to her chest, nearly suffocating the exceed. Lucy then noticed how all other dragon slayers, too, looked troubled.

"Come," his words were fiery like fire and she was hypnotized. As he glided, cape fluttering behind, she could not help but follow. There was darkness in him and she was drawn to it. El Diablo, that's what he'd been called and only now she realized there was no name fitting him better. He was the Devil and she was his prey.

Her guild mates didn't stop her, knowing that what was done, was done. Natsu wanted to follow, to stop them, but the contract binding the two was far too powerful for even him to break it.

Phoenix led her to a forest, to a meadow filled with thousands of blooming flowers. Their scents were intoxicating and she wanted to leave, but he didn't let her. Right now, she was under her command. By his dictation, she laid down to rest on the turfs, breathing in the life around her. As she closed her eyes, she could hear all the birds chirping, bugs fussing around. Everything around her was alive.

Then, she heard him whispering, but the words made no sense. He circled her, like an animal would circle his prey, and he binded her to the ground. She felt her magic float, desperately trying to cling onto her. And she wanted to reach out, to embrace it again. She hadn't realized how used to it she had become.

Then the pain began. It spread like wildfire, as the magic was ripped from her. Her whole body was on fire and she screamed, begged him to stop. After a while, everything quieted. Inside her and outside, there was silence. She saw the stars, felt her spirits around her, whispering words of encouragement until the pain resurfaced, feeling even worse than before. Phoenix continued the ritual, drawing out her power and consuming it himself, taking on the burden she had refused to carry.

Two days and nights she laid there, staring at the light within herself, watching the time pass. There was something eternal about it, becoming free. Something final.

When she woke on the third day, he was not there. There was no indication he had ever been there at all. But her powers were gone. She was not riding any dragons anymore.

She sighed in relief and closed her eyes again. She was exhausted.

In front of her, an image appeared. One of the man who had granted her wish. And he spoke to her, in words as heated as fire:"I'll be waiting for my payment."