Disclaimer! I do not own Fairy Tail. I only own the story and one of the main characters.

CHAPTER 9: Back Home

NORMAL/POV

The group of four, including Happy, made their way back to the guild.

Everyone was standing at the doors with their luggage. Erza's extreme over packing left Selene dumbfounded.

She tugged on Lucy's shirt, "Does she really need all that, including that weird dragon costume?"

"I don't know, but she always packs like that." Lucy patted Selene's head.

"Always!? We're only going for a week!"

"Well you never know." Erza came from behind, making her jump just a little bit.

"Anyways, let's get going. The faster we get there, the more time we'll have to explore."

Erza waved to all the members, "Hey guys! The ride is almost here, get your things."

The people hustled around, getting their luggage for the trip to Crocus.

A bus zipped up to the front of the guild's arch. As the doors opened, Master Makarov was seated in the driver's seat, holding onto the steering wheel. "Come on in children, let's get going!"

One by one each mage hopped onto the bus and into one of the comfy bus seats.

Natsu was the last to go on, so Selene could cast the "Matte Troia" spell on him.

Eventually the bus was loaded with about a hundred excited mages that can't wait to take back the title as "Fiore's Number One Magic Guild."

Makarov put the bus in drive and they were off to Crocus.

"Hey Lucy, wake up we're here." Selene gently shook Lucy's shoulder. She sleepily opened her eyes and yawned. After rubbing her eyes, Lucy peeked out the window.

Outside the bus, was a city full of life. There was tons of people gathered around large building, probably to see the tournament.

Lucy grabbed their things as they both jumped off the bus.

"Hey Lucy, I'm going to grabbed a quick snack to eat okay?"

"Okay Selene, but you know the way back to the hotel right?"

"Yup, the HoneyBone Inn. I'll be back in five minutes tops!"

The two girls waved to each other as Selene jogged to the nearest cafe she could find and disappeared in the large crowd.

Lucy walked over to Natsu, who stood behind Erza.

"Hey Luce, where's Selene?"

"Oh she just went to get something to eat, she'll be back, no worries. But Happy, she hasn't gotten too far, so can you just watch her from afar for me?"

The blue exceed stood up on Natsu's travel pack and extended his magical wings. "No problemo, which way did she go?"

Lucy pointed to her right. "She went that way, down the street."

"Aye." Happy saluted and flew off towards Selene.

Happy found a small marketplace that had many new and mouth-watering aromas, but he needed to stay focused. It had been well over ten minutes now and he hasn't even seen a trace of Selene. Suddenly, a flash of a bright light caught his attention. It came from an alleyway beside the market. He flew towards it, then he immediately smelt the familiar yet strange ember scent. When he arrived at the dark alleyway, he noticed a figure laying on the ground. As he moved closer, the body became a little more visible. It was covered it cuts and bruises along with tattered clothing, but that black hair. That long black hair tied up in that dirty white bow. Happy covered his mouth with his paws.

"Selene?"

He inched closer, there was no way Selene would've ended up like this, she was exceptionally strong, and not to mention that she was pretty clever too. Happy took his shaky paws and tried to wake her up.

"Hey Selene, can you hear me? Selene?"

No use. She was out cold. Happy turned her on her back, revealing a large gash on her side. It was not bleeding, but it was fresh just from the smell.

"Don't worry Selene. We'll save you."

Happy grabbed her and flew back towards the hotel.

LUCY/POV

I was beginning to worry. Neither Happy, nor Selene has come back yet, and it's been over ten minutes already. I walked out the lobby doors and Natsu followed me, probably worried about his little buddy. I glanced left and right, the streets weren't as crowded as before, so I could get a better look.

Natsu tapped my shoulder, " Lucy, they're up there." His surprised tone made me curious.

As I leaned my head back, a horror filled my vision. A blue cat with a battered girl dangling in his arms.

"Selene!" My voice alerted Erza, Gray, and Wendy, who busted through the doors in seconds.

Happy slowly descended and laid the beaten girl on the ground.

"What happened?!" I rushed to Selene's side, grabbing her hand. It was cold, as if her energy was about to drain out.

"I don't know. I was hovering over the market place, then a flash of light came from and alleyway. When I checked to see what it was, I found Selene on the ground like this." Happy started to sniffle as small tears form on the corners of his eyes.

"Whatever it is, we'll need to worry about that later. She's unconscious and the damage looks like it's gotten to her." Erza stated and ran back inside. "Natsu, carry her in, I'll let Master know."

Natsu nodded and gently picked her up, bridal style. Her head fell back, as he carried her lifeless body into the hotel. I clutched her hand tightly.

We busted through the doors, from the looks of the other guildmates, they knew it was serious.

"This way." Erza's head popped out of one of the rooms.

Natsu and I quickly sprinted to the room. Inside was Master and Porlyusica sitting beside a hospital bed. He gently laid her down as I let go of her frail, cold hand.

Porlyusica then stood up and examined Selene's body that was covered with so many very painful looking injuries. She turned and looked towards us, "So you two don't know how this happened." We shook our heads. "Well, by the looks of this, she can't compete in the games. She's taken too much damage and needs to have plenty of time to recover. She'll be fine, but her condition is a little unstable right now."

"So who's gonna take her place?" Natsu glanced at Master.

"Wendy will take over. Lucy can you please go tell the rest of them this news."

"Yes sir." I bowed and jogged to the door.

When I opened it, several eyes went my direction.

"So how is she?" Gray questioned, getting up from his seat.

"Her condition is okay, but she's unable to compete. Master said Wendy would take her place"

I glanced over to Wendy and her white exceed Carla.

"Okay, I'll do it." She replied.

I nodded and went back into the room.

By then, Porlyusica had already bandaged and treated most of her wounds. Selene's arms and legs were wrapped and her gash on her side was covered by a pad that soaked up some of the blood from when she cleaned it. Her face had a couple of small bandages covering the cuts.

The only question left is 'how did this happen?'

SELENE/POV

"I'll be back in five minutes tops!" I waved my hand at Lucy.

I was running all towards the smell of yummy food. The aromas were breath-taking, it made my mouth water just from thinking about it. Then something caught my eye, a small glow coming from behind the marketplace I was in. I walked to the alleyway, but nothing was there. I took a little time to search around the area, suddenly my body started glowing and disappearing. I had no idea what was happening, but whatever it was, it felt so familiar, like I was being teleported.

Then everything went black. When I woke up, the dim lights made it hard for me to realize where I was. The scent. This scent was too familiar. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see I was surrounded by bars and walls.

It couldn't be. There was no way I've could've gotten back.

'The Dragon Realm. But why was I in a prison cell in the dungeon?'

A voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"You're awake I see."

I turned around, and saw a pair of large golden eyes stare at me.

"M-mom?"