Okay! Story time!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail... It's Hiro Mashima's.
Scarlet's POV
"Move out!" I barked, pointing over the hills that led to the lord's manor. The cobblestone village we were sneaking through reeked of death, and I wasn't too keen on learning the identities of the poor souls lost in the once vibrant place. Makarov told me before I left the Lord Henry Guffrey was a sick man in his old age. The small houses outside his home used to contain lovely and gentle people, but when he changed, he ordered them all killed by his guards.
That was only five years ago according to the master. Yet, time did nothing to camouflage the damage left by Guffrey. The whole situation made my nose wrinkle in disgust. It reminded me too much of the future Magnolia with its streets of blood and nights of dying screams. My heart clenched, and I growled in irritation of the stupid reaction.
This was ridiculous. I needed to stop having emotions. They caused more harm than good, and they were the reason why Erza and Jellal had—
I pulled up short, letting my team search the ruins of the village while I shook in the shadows. Stop it! I shouted at myself. Stop feeling. No emotions, always remember that!
Taking a steady breath, I pinched my eyes close and released the tension building up in my body. I exhaled and started to relax. My eyes opened again, and I pulled my pack tighter on my shoulders as if the heavy weight could erase the ache in my heart. I had to forget it all. I could not feel or else I would lose to Morgania just like the rest of Fairy tail. They were always ranting about the power of emotions, but where did that get them? They're all dead. I am not like them. I will not allow myself to be manipulated by the dark sorceress. I will do what everyone could not. I will defeat her.
It's just up ahead, Cana spoke cautiously through our mind link. We were also given bracelets, but it was only because Warren had to stay with the guild so that he could communicate between those at the ball and us. He couldn't be at two places at once unfortunately.
My boots stomped heavily on the pavement that led to the manor and sticks and dried leaves crumbled beneath every step. I could be quiet if I wanted, but there was never any point to. I could defeat anything that came my way, and if the hunters were here, the noise would draw them towards us.
Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed that we had arrived until I stepped into a giant looming shadow that sent a shiver of fear through my nerves. I bit it back and stepped in front of the team with hands on my hips and stared at them, radiating confidence that I truly didn't feel. Jane, Cana, Cane, Erza, and Wendy were part of the extraction team that was sent to the pathetic place. As much as I didn't want to be around most of them, especially Erza, I had to push away whatever I felt and focus on our mission.
"We'll cover more ground if we split up," I told them. "Jane and Cana can search the grounds out here and inform of any suspicious activity while Wendy and…Erza—" I hated the way my heart squeezed painfully in my chest when I said her name—"will cover the left side of the house. Cane and I will check out the opposite end."
"What if we run into trouble?" Cana asked.
I scoffed, a rare smirk playing on my lips. "You're with some of Fairy Tail's strongest. Don't doubt your teammate's ability. Whatever you do, don't separate from your partner. If you happen to find something, use your flares and bracelets to communicate. Besides, we don't know what kinds of monsters are lingering inside…"
Images of horned beasts and giant spiders raced through my mind, but the thoughts were not mine. I glowered at the small sky dragon slayer that was whimpering in fear. Erza pulled her into a tight one armed hug. "It's okay, Wendy," she soothed, "I'm here to protect her."
My heart seized again, and I turned away from them before they saw the tears starting to form in my eyes. "Let's just go," I seethed, and starting stomping away. I felt the weight of my mother's eyes on my back, but I never turned around. It was hard enough to put one foot in front of the other as I slid through the slipshod front doors barley hanging on the hinges.
Lucy's POV
I continued to dance through multiple songs, making light conversation with each of my partners. They were all handsome in their own way, and while we flirted and laughed, it was nothing as intense as the dragon slayer holding me earlier. Thomas had been bombarded with patrons as soon as he and his mother touched the ballroom floor. I had suspected as much, so I continued to flaunt my beauty and draw the attention of the men around me. Eventually, they dispersed, and Thomas had disappeared into the crowd somewhere, but I didn't have to look for him to know that my clever tactic had worked.
At the ending of another cheerful and beautiful song, I curtsied to my partner and allowed him to escort me away from the many on lookers. While dancing was enjoyable, I was not use to wearing heels all night long. I excused myself and walked to the refreshment table to have a glass of champagne. I didn't want alcohol because I'll admit that I'm a light weight, but this place didn't serve anything else. Settling with the glass nearby, I sipped it carefully and turned to spectate the room when someone bumped into me, spilling a little of the glasses content onto my dress.
"Hey! Watch where you're walking you klutz!" I fumed, setting the glass down on the table. Luckily, the champagne didn't spill onto the dress, but I was still mortified that it was on my chest.
"Oh, dear! I'm so sorry!" a man stuttered apologetically. "Please. Let me help!"
I was too distracted with the liquid to realize what he had said when he pulled out a handkerchief and started swabbing the liquid. My cheeks turned a maddening red, and I slapped his hand away. "Excuse me! You do not just start—" My voice caught in my throat when I looked at his sweaty face and slicked back black hair.
He laughed nervously with his eyes closed and scratched the back of his head. "I'm terribly sorry. My mother always told me I was terrible with manners when it came to manners," he said. He held out a hand, "By the way, I'm—"
"I know very well who you are," I muttered, trying to hide the growing resentment in my voice. Memories took me back ten years ago again, and I huffed angrily.
His beady eyes opened then, and he cocked his head curiously at me. "Who—" he started, but it suddenly donned on him. "Pigtails!"
I rolled my eyes at his childish nickname for me. I had forgotten about it until then how my mother always seemed to dress me up with twin pigtails. Trying to force away the past from my mind, I laughed. "Of course! I can't believe you didn't recognize me Thomas."
He grinned widely and rubbed his chin. "Come to think of it, I saw a gorgeous blonde dancing earlier, and I couldn't take my eyes off of her. When I tried to find her after the last dance, she was nowhere to be seen. I thought my Cinderella had run off on me." He laughed. "I never dreamed it could be my oldest friend coming back to haunt me."
Friend? Since when were we friends? I thought, but continued to play the charming roll. "Never thought I would actually run into you…literally." We laughed together.
"You know, I have to make my rounds and speak with my guests," he started, holding out his hand. "I need a beautiful woman on my arm though. What do you say?"
"I say that I still have champagne on me," I griped, pushing out my chest a little more than necessary. His eyes widened as he stared. Geez, he was terrible with women. This just got easier for me. I wiped away the remaining liquid, perhaps making more of a spectacle of it than I should as he continued to ogle at my breasts. When I was finished, I giggled nervously like a school girl, and hooked my arm around his. "Let's go greet them, shall we?" I purred in his ear.
He all but started drooling. So, this is how Gray must have felt when Juvia first came to the guild…
"And then I said, "Sir! That is not a horse, but an ass!"" roared Rudderick van Richards. The group barked laughter with him, and I giggled, squeezing Thomas's arm tighter.
Thomas had steered me around to many different parties, but when we circled around to a small party of high lords and ladies, I begged him to stay a moment longer. Only because, this also happen to be where Gray, Juvia, and Jay were. It was nice to see a familiar face amongst all these strangers, and since I was disgusted by this way of life now, they were a small comfort and reminder that it was only for tonight.
Juvia was running her hands through Jay's hair, and Gray was leaning on Rudderick's shoulder like they were old pals. "It's not my ass it's yours!" he jested back at the fat lord. The group broke out into another fit of laughter, and I chuckled for the benefit of keeping up appearances. Honestly, I stopped listening to the joke a long time ago.
"So Miss Heartfilia," Rudderick asked, "you are cousins with this lovely Lobster family?"
My eyes darted between the trio, and I smiled brightly. "Yes, we are very close."
Thomas laughed at my side. "I had no idea that your family was actually funny," he said. "They always seemed like stiffs to me back in the days when they were still trying to marry us."
I fought back the urge to back hand him for talking rude about my family. Easy, Luce, Gray warned, sensing my mood. I gave Thomas a tight lipped smile. "Yes," I agreed despite my better judgment. "Of course, it was a foolish idea for our mothers to try to match us together so young."
"But who knew such an ugly duckling would grow into a swan!" Thomas shouted, laughing like it was the funniest joke he made in his entire life.
I opened my mouth to argue back, but someone saved me the trouble. "Thomas!" a shrill voice cut through the air, and Thomas cringed. He turned around to see his mother glaring at him. Her olive green dress made her pale skin look sickly, and her brown greasy curls were pushed back in a messy bun. "It is not nice to speak to a lady like that! Especially one from the Heartfilia family!"
My family name is such a blessing, I thought sarcastically. Juvia giggled across from me, and I realized I said it to everyone. I spun towards the woman I have not seen in many years and greeted her with a bright smile. "Lady Bennet!" I cooed. "It's a pleasure to see you after so long."
"Ah, Lucy!" she beamed and pulled me into a quick hug. I was relieved to be a step away from Thomas, but to be embraced by his mother didn't feel exactly like a luxury either. "My, have you grown! You're so beautiful and such a perfect match for my son!"
Gag me. I'm sure an indecent expression crossed my face, but I couldn't fight it back. The thought of being this idiot's wife was enough to make me sick. Lilith smiled disapprovingly, but a pink haired girl bobbed up to her side. "Mama!" she sang lovingly.
My heart clenched in fear. Oh crap, Nashi! Don't call me that! If they knew or suspected that I had a daughter, this mission would be ruined. Heat burned every inch of my skin, and I tried to come up with some quick excuse but froze when Lilith laughed.
She embraced the small girl and kissed her forehead. "I found this darling lost and wandering the halls earlier. She said she was looking for her father," she explained, and my shoulders slumped in relief. Lilith looked around but couldn't find who she was looking for. "I haven't spotted him dear, but I'm sure— Ah! There you are my darling!"
The air around me bristled, and I knew without looking who was approaching from behind me. Natsu shrugged into view, and I tried not to stare too long at him. He scratched the side of his face in mock embarrassment. "Sorry, I kept losing you in the fray of people," he said to Lilith as Nashi bounced beside him. She hugged his waist, and he shot her a genuine smile. A blush formed on my cheeks despite my wishes, and a small grin grew. They were adorable together like a painting of the perfect father and daughter. I thought it was weird how Lilith was a prowler for single fathers, but even I had to admit the picture was alluring. So much affection and pride radiated off of him when he looked at his daughter…
Our daughter.
Thomas suddenly yanked on my arm and glared at the two. Evidently, he didn't seem to agree with the matching of his mother and this fiery young man. "Mother!" he whined. "That's so gross! He's too young for you!"
"And she's too beautiful for you," Lilith shot back, and I choked on a laugh. Natsu didn't bother to hide his pleasure at her words, and he grinned devilishly at the boy holding onto me. Lilith stroked her hand against Natsu's arm, and all his glee flickered off his face quickly. She grabbed his head and yanked it against her chest so that he was nearly being suffocated by her breasts. She blushed madly and sighed. "Do you hear the rhythm of my heart? Only you can make it beat so hard."
I think I'm going to be sick, Gray commented.
Why does it always have to be? Natsu cried.
Nashi laughed through the connection. Just keep doing whatever you're doing!
Thomas spun me around so that we were no longer looking at them. Instead, we were facing the group from earlier. They seemed unaffected by the disgusting view behind us, and Rudderick was making small talk with a gray haired man beside him. Gray's attention snapped to them immediately, and when I started to listen in on their conversation, I knew why.
"Can you believe they just left Henry Guffrey's estate like that? It's completely trashed!" the old man was saying.
Rudderick shook his head. "It's a shame. Henry was such a nice fellow, but after that war he was involved in, he just snapped."
"I heard he became a monster," a sultry brunette spoke beside him. She must have been the older man's guest because she never left his side. Sick. "They say after he ordered his guards to murder the villagers just outside his home, and then realizing what he had done, he killed all of his guards with some kind of dark power."
"That's nonsense," the older man said. "I knew Henry his whole life. He didn't possess a single ounce of magic or courage, so he couldn't have killed his guards."
"Does anyone know why he snapped?" Juvia asked, her hands resting on Jay's shoulders.
"He may have been possessed," I mentioned, catching everyone's attention. Thomas looked at me like I was mad, but I ignored him as I continued to explain. "Even without magic power he is still susceptible to possession. Even more so since he didn't have magic." If that were true then… No. It couldn't be. Could it?
Lilith appeared beside us, and grumbled a curse. "Mages are the worse. They are always ruining our ways of society and bringing evil into the world."
Her words caught the team's attention. Natsu was holding onto Nashi's hand, and I noticed her squeeze it hard when he started to shoot daggers at her from his eyes. She was his anchor tonight. If no one could keep him calm, then we were doomed to fail. Gray, never one to be kept quiet either, suddenly spoke, "Good thing your mansion was built on the enchanted grounds."
No one but us could hear the venom and sarcasm in his voice. Lilith beamed at him as if he were a clever child. "It's wonderful don't you think? Mages are completely powerless when they come here."
"I bet those bastards couldn't even fight without magic," Rudderick suddenly said, seeming to grow larger with his ego. "I bet I could probably take down an entire guild with my bare hands."
"Perhaps we should invite some here?" the old man piped in, laughing. "We could rid the earth of a few mages at a time."
The group around us erupted into laughter, but they were unaware of the tension growing between the actual mages standing beside them. Unconsciously, my hand started to itch where my guild mark was hidden behind a lot of cover up. I felt my body starting to shake with fury, and I could see the anger boiling inside my nakama as well.
A sweaty hand touched my arm, and I glowered at Thomas. The others were in another heated conversation about mages and their evil doings. Years ago, Mama had told me about how the higher end of society never cared for magic, because it was raw power that blossomed inside only a very small portion of the world. They didn't like how they couldn't buy it or harness it, so they resented it and everyone who wielded it. They never considered how many times mages saved their prim little asses, or even cared enough to know about a guild or who was or wasn't a mage. Mama and I had to keep our magic hidden, and now I knew why. These bastards would probably crucify all of us if they could.
"Are you okay, Luce?" Thomas asked, and I took a shaky breath.
"It's getting a little too stuffy in here," I admitted, looking for any excuse to get away from them. "Perhaps we could escape this place for a little while? I haven't been here since I was a child, and I'd love to see the mansion again." He seemed happy to oblige, probably thinking it was an opportunity to be alone and in private.
Scarlet's POV
The dilapidated house sent goosebumps down my arms as we picked our way through the shambles of the building, looking for any sign of a key. Our side of the house contained vast storage areas that could be hiding anything. But the longer we stayed, the more fear started to prick the hairs on the back of my neck. Cane and I were making our way through a hallway, and with each room we explored, I couldn't help but feel as if we were being watched.
The paranoia was unnerving, and when Cane froze and pointed to my arm, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Of course, it had only been a spider, but the little things scared the hell out of me. I released a piercing scream without meaning to, and Cane did not even try to hold back his laughter.
He flicked the arachnid off of me, his cocky smile never wavering. "Scarlet the Great taken down by an itsy bitsy spider," he mocked.
"Shut up," I grumbled, avoiding another spider web hanging from ceiling.
"Aww, what's wrong, Scarley?" he asked, throwing his arm around my shoulders. "You scared?"
"Just focus!" I hissed, pushing him off. "We're on a mission."
"Scary Scarley is scared!" he sung.
"Fuck off, Cane!" I shouted, finally losing my temper with him. A dagger appeared in my hand, and I pointed it towards him. He threw his hands up innocently, but his cocky smirk never left. "We're here on business, not for fun. If you say anything else, I'll kill you. Do you understand?"
His face dropped into a serious expression, and he shook his head. "What's wrong with you, Scar? Ever since we arrived, you've been miss bitch. I can't figure you out."
The dagger disappeared, and I continued walking with my back facing him. "It's nothing."
Cane's hand jerked my shoulder back, and before I could fight, he pinned me against the wall. His deep brown eyes shot back into mine menacingly, and his mouth twitched into a snarl. "Don't turn your back on me," he growled. "You're my nakama, or have you forgotten?"
"N-no," I stuttered, looking away in shame. How dare he make me feel like this. His fingers pinched my small chin, and he forced me to look back into his intense gaze. I gulped loudly, feeling a strange coldness creeping around me.
"Then why are you treating everyone like their strangers?" he demanded. Tears started to burn in my eyes, and I blinked them away fiercely. "Why are you treating your parents like their trash?"
My entire body started to tremble, but Cane's strong hands held me firm. "It's not something you would understand…"
"Are you kidding me?" He laughed once without humor. "I don't know who my father is, and I never knew my mother, but the first time we were alone, I couldn't stop hugging her. I didn't want to leave her side. It's not her fault she wasn't there as I was growing up. I forgave her and everyone in the guild. They have no control over the future, Scarlet."
"But it's their fault for being so weak and giving in to Morgania!" I suddenly shouted, my voice echoing down the abandoned halls. "If they hadn't allowed themselves to be controlled, all of this could have been avoided. They could still be alive!"
He seemed unfazed by my outburst. "And what? Shutting off your emotions is going to stop her?" I jerked my eyes away from him, but he pulled me back. "Don't think that I don't know what you are doing. I know you, Scar. I know you think your mother's weakness was her feelings, but you know what the biggest difference is between you and her?" I didn't answer. I didn't want to give him that satisfaction. "At least, her she knows that feelings make her human. So what does that make you?"
A high pitched scream sliced through the air, causing us to jump. "That's Wendy!" I said and started running towards the source. Twin swords appeared in my hands as we made our way through the manor. We hurtled over broken walls and fallen beams pushing ourselves faster when another yell sounded. "They must have found the hunters!"
"I don't think so. I sense something far darker than a common treasure hunters guild," Cane responded. Though I didn't want to agree, I still couldn't shake the earlier paranoia that something was watching us. It felt dark and eerie.
Another scream pierced the air, and I skidded to a halt in front of a thick wall. "There!" I shouted, pointing at it. Without hesitating, Cane used the magic Gildarts taught him and punched through the wall with ease. We leapt through the opening to a black room. The entire roof had fallen long ago, and the night sky loomed down on us. A flare was suddenly shot into the air, and I hid my eyes from the brightness for a moment, until it was high enough for my eyes to adjust to the red light.
Wendy was hurtled on the ground with Erza standing in front of her, equipped in her purgatory armor, but that wasn't what made my heart stop beating. Someone…or something stood in front of her. It was easily several feet taller than the requip mage, its gray, thin body gnarled with scars, and bones protruding from beneath its tight skin. Instead of normal hands, its fingers were long, and the nails were long black claws that swiped viciously at the mages before it. But its face and eyes were the worse. Its teeth were sharp and bright red, as if had just feasted on some poor victim, and its eyes were enlarged and black as the darkest night. It was horrifying to look at, and I was frozen in fear. Something glittered around its neck, and I cursed when I realized what it was.
He's got the key, Cane shouted into my mind.
Things just got a lot more complicated, I said back, twirling the blades in my hands. The movement caught the creature's attention, and it roared a sickening cry. Let's go, beasty. I narrowed my eyes at it hunched towards the floor. Its body coiled up like a spring, then it lunged past Erza, just out of her reach, and she shouted when she realized I was its target.
I barely had time to lift my swords, when it landed. I grunted from underneath its weight, never expecting it to actually pounce on me full force. My knees buckled and I fell. It flipped off of me, and charged again as soon as it landed. I fell flat on my back and swung blindly, as it swiped a claw at me. I managed to block him again, but its body jumped onto me, pinning me beneath its full weight again. It lifted a hand to swing again, but suddenly pounced off when Cane managed a devastatingly blow to its side. He helped me to my feet quickly.
Cana! Jane! I shouted through our connection, reaching out to them. Where are you?
We have our own problems! Jane answered back. Looks like there are scary things out here than you, Scar.
Don't be frightened because it looks like you, Cane shot back jokingly.
I felt her send back a warning curse, but our connection dropped when she engaged in another round of combat. The beast howled into the air, and I cold feeling shivered down my spine. Shadows began to quiver around us and take the form of people. One reached out and pulled on my ankle, I cried out, but a ball of fire hit its body and it shirked out of existence.
"Don't get distracted!" Erza shouted now in her flame empress armor. She turned her back to me and started attacking the walls, blowing away legions of shadows with it. "Take care of Lord Guffrey, I'll handle these creatures."
"That's the lord?" Cane yelled, dumbstruck.
Wendy, finding her courage, started blasting away creatures with her sky dragon slayer magic. Once the creatures were a good ways away from her, she used another magic that enveloped us in a shimmering light. I recognized this magic from when Gale used it. It was to help boost speed and strength. When Wendy was finished and the light subsided, she answered Cane back, "We were looking through an abandoned office, when we found a hidden door. Evidently, the lord was possessed by something, and this is the result of that possession after so many years."
"Well, whatever," I said, and honed my magic around me. My regular armor transformed into black wing armor, and I smiled cruelly. "It's about time we play, beasty."
So because I love ya'll, this isn't going to be my last post today. I'm excited about what's about to happen next!