It's so...hot. Is that fire? Shit...it hurts so bad...why does it hurt? There's something in my eyes...is that...blood? I let out a scream of agony, hearing my bones crack.

"It's time…"

!?~?-

Sting stared at me, his hand on his temple as he leaned against the window covered by a curtain. He sat across from me, clearly trying to keep down the contents of his stomach as the train jostled around. He had had pills like Natsu had, but when we were leaving the ship I had "tripped" and he had stumbled to catch me, landing the pills in the harbor.

"Are you excited to see the palace again?" Lector asked quietly, not aiming the question at either one of us. I looked up slowly from my lap where my hands were wrapped in Natsu's scarf, giving him a dead look. He shuffled a bit, looking away before hopping over to my bench.

"You can pet my fur if you want too...it use to cheer you up all the time, remember?" He asked and I watched him lean his head towards me with a hopeful look. I blinked, slowly reaching up. Sting and Lector both shifted at my movement but I hesitated when the scarfs warmth left my hand, it hovering over Lectors head as my eyes clouded over. My thoughts tangled and mixed, letting me remember back to the beginning of this entire deal.

"Are you sad now?" He asked, matching my quiet tone. I nodded and he looked around.

"Well...if I let you pet me would that make you feel better?" He asked and I looked at him, my plan to get him to relax was working.

"I can't though, my hands are all tied up." I said and he pulled out a tiny knife.

"I can cut you free...but you have to promise not run." He said seriously. Damn it. I sighed heavily. Could I break it? No that would go against what I stood for. Why'd the stupid cat have to say promise? If I could just be free of the ropes though...then that would be better than now.

"I promise..." He gave me a wary look and I rolled my eyes. "I'm a celestial wizard, we always keep our promises." I said and that seemed enough for him.

I pulled my hand away, putting it back into my lap in the folds of the scaly scarf and turning away. I heard a sigh come from both of them.

"You know it won't be that bad Lucy. Your father will have us married, I'll be the King and you'll be the Queen. We'll be able to do what we want." Sting said, swallowing a burp. It was clear that his last dose of medicine was wearing off slowly. I looked up at him blankly, letting out an amused huff. How stupid was he?

"We won't get married...you'll hand me over and the next second your neck will be in a noose...you know that right? My father despises mages...and pirates. I'll be married off to whoever offers the most money or the best alliance." I said, my voice deep and scratchy sounding. Maybe it was because of the abuse my throat had taken the night before, maybe it was because of the screams I had let out when he had killed Juvia. Who knew? Sting shook his head.

"You don't get it do you? I do offer the best alliance. During my three years of exile and hiding...I've been studying. I found a girl you see, someone who helped me develop the magic binding ropes. I killed her of course, because I couldn't risk having the plans leaked. But in trade for your hand, and the crown I'll sell the plans of the magic binding ropes and they'll be mass produced, which means the rebellion will fall quickly, just as the new king rises. I'll restore guilds of course, but things will change." He said and I felt sick.

"I want to talk to the prisoners." I said, my voice barely a whisper. Sting frowned.

"Why? There's not a way for them to stop me, or for them to warn anyone else." He said firmly and I looked up, finally meeting his gaze, my grip on Natsu's scarf tightening a bit.

"Then why are you so worried about me talking to them? You know I'm...yours." I said, swallowing down the bile that rose in my throat at the words. Sting looked at me for a long moment before sighing.

"Fine, have a guard escort you, you have twenty minutes to be back here." He said, sweat forming on his forehead. He'd be sick and he'd lose track of time. I had at least forty minutes. I stood up, opening the door to the little room we had been put in. I was met with four heavily armored men, all clearly working under the King. No mage would ever walk around weighted down like that.

"One of you...is to escort me to the prisoners." I said, knowing Sting was still conscious to a degree. That, and also the fact Lector wasn't to be trusted. I was given a dirty look before one of them stepped forward. I hesitated for a half a second, wrapping the scarf around my neck before nodding. The soldier led me down the car, opening the door. Wind rushed by me, billowing my already messy hair behind me. I glanced to the side, seeing the tracks below the train rush by, the trees and scenery becoming a blur at the speed we moved.

If I jumped straight down I'd die…

"Watch your step Princess. It would be a shame if you got sucked beneath the tracks." The guard said and I looked up at him, my face emotionless.

"I suppose it would be." I said in a monotone voice. He leaned back a bit and I turned, stepping across and moving into the next car. We went through about six until finally we got to one that looked darker. The guard lead me to a door.

"The room is bound with the Magic sealing ropes. Do not untie them. If you do then they'll be killed." He said, his tone deepening as if he were trying to threaten me. I stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Instead of saying anything else though he just turned his head, unlocking the door and swinging it open.

"Scream if you need anything." He said and stepped away. I took a deep breath, slowly stepping into the room. The door closed behind me and I heard a gasp.

"Lucifer!" It was hushed, but the surprise was still there. I looked around, my eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. Gray, Jellal, Erza, Charla, Levy and Happy were all there. Juvia was gone.

"Oh my god." I whispered, walking over to them quickly. They were all tied by their hands and their feet, in a group in the corner. I quickly crumbled to my knees in front of them, taking in their looks of surprise and shock.

"How'd you get away?" Jellal asked, disbelief in his eyes.

"He's losing his wits from motion sickness, I convinced him to let me talk to you all." I explained, watching them shuffle a bit. I sucked in a deep breath. "I'm...so sorry. I did this, he'd still be….Juvia would still be...if you hadn't tried too…" my breathing got deeper, tears welling up in my eyes as I looked at their beaten and bruised bodies, puffy eyes and runny noses.

"Lucifer, stop," it was Erza who spoke, her voice scratchy and shaky. "We all knew the risks...we don't blame you. We blame that coward Sting." She said and I looked at her.

"I don't know what to do…" I whispered and Happy leaned forward, tilting his head. I felt like the air left my lungs. I quickly pulled him to me.

"Lucifer, you have to try and escape." Jellal said and fear flashed in my eyes.

"He...he'll…" Flashbacks of his hands ripping at my hair, my throat bruising with every buck of his hips.

"That bastard did something to you didn't he?" Gray growled out and I hugged Happy to my chest tightly. He nuzzled into my neck, whether it was for me or to be near Natsu's scarf I didn't know.

"I have an idea...it may not work though." I said quietly, wanting to change the topic. There was silence for a moment before Charla spoke up.

"What is it?" I took in a deep breath and looked up again.

"The train is going to stop three miles away from the capitols walls-" I started but Levy quickly cut me off.

"That because the rebellion is completely surrounding the city. There's no way the train would be able to get in. In fact no one can get in or out." Levy explained and I licked my lips.

"Sting says there's a secret passage, that's how he got in and out. But in order to get to it we have to leave the train and and take a caravan. I'm not sure of the exact details, he wouldn't say more. But I do know that I might be able to free you. I remember the place that Sting is talking about, we have to travel down a very narrow road with a really steep hill. It will be tightly packed. If I can get to you and find a way to shove you down the hill, there's no way anyone would be able to follow you without breaking their bones or taking hours to find a way down." I said and they all stared at me.

"Not to shoot you down or anything...but if they can't follow us down because they'd break their bones...then what keeps us from breaking our bones?" Erza asked and I took in a deep breath.

"I can loosen Happy and Charla's bonds. It won't be noticeable if two of you hold them. If the guards say something about it then just say without their wings then they wouldn't be able keep up. I know that it would be two people for both of you two," I said, looking at Charla and Happy before continuing, "but I also know it's snowing in the capitol. If you two can slow the decent then you have at least around fifty feet of snow to break the fall. Once you're on the ground, you two can untie the rest of the group and you can escape." I explained and Jellal frowned.

"What about you? Why can't we just drag you with us?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Because then Lector would fly down to save me." I explained and Erza leaned forward.

"We can't just leave you...how would we know you're safe?" She asked and I ran my hand over Happy's fur, desperate for comfort.

"I've got a plan for myself, don't worry about me, but I need to know if you're all in agreement with this plan." I said, leaving no room for further questions about me. The room was silent for a long moment before Levy nodded.

"Throw me off the side of the mountain." She said and I sucked in a deep breath.

"We're all in agreement then?" Erza asked and everyone nodded, except for Happy.

"I don't want to leave Lucifer…" He said quietly and I looked at him, leaning back a bit so I could meet his gaze. What was left of my heart shattered when I looked at him. I could feel his pain, his grief. He looked like part of his soul had left him, which was understandable. The man who had raised him, who had been his very best friend was gone, killed right in front of him. The people in this room were the closest thing I would have to Natsu...and I knew there was a high chance that after today I'd never see them again.

"Oh Happy...I wish we could go on so many adventures...there's so many things I want to tell you…" I looked up, addressing everyone, "to tell everyone. I know..that for some of you I only knew you for a few months...and for you it's been years since you've seen me. But I cherished every memory I had of you all...I...you're my closest friends...I care about you all. But the longer you are here and I'm with Sting...the more of you I'll lose." I said quietly. "If it weren't for me...they'd-" my throat closed and I took a deep breath.

"Don't say it Lucifer." Gray growled out and I shook my head.

"Natsu is dead because he came to get me. Juvia is dead because I put up a fight and you tried to defend me. I won't have any more of your blood on my hands…" I said, grabbing the ropes on Happy. My body tensed as I came into contact with them, as if part of my abilities had just been locked up. I yanked a bit, loosening the knot to where if Happy struggled hard the ropes would fall. He sniffled as I put him down, reaching towards Charla. SHe turned, letting me loosen the knots.

"This is a load of bullshit." Gray suddenly snapped at me and I froze, looking at him in shock. I opened my mouth to say something but he leaned forward, cutting me off. "You're not cut out to be a member of Fairy Tail. You're lying down and giving up. They knew the risk, and they came, we all came anyway. Because we had hope that we could pull it off, even against all the odds. That's the Fairy Tail way. How dare you disgrace their sacrifice by trying to play martyr. Natsu and Juvia lived and died being proud members of Fairy Tail, taking the chance, trying even when there was no chance. They were so strong, and loving and caring. They rarely ever shut up about you when they were together. They loved you so much, they died for you and you have the audacity to spit in their memory by feeling guilty? Don't you ever say you wanted to be affiliated with Fairy Tail. Ever. What's your plan? You're going to kill yourself?" He snapped and I felt like the air around me refused to enter my lungs, tears getting ready to spill.

"How did you…" I started, but he spat at me. It landed an inch away from my knee.

"Gray! Don't-" Erza started, the rest of their faces looking horrified.

"No! You're gonna kill yourself and invalidate what they died for. Does it even bother you? They gave their life for you, and you're going to throw away their gift...you're disgusting. Since you've been gone I'll fill you in. We're at war, we've all lost our friends and our family but we keep fighting for them, so that their death isn't just a plus one on the list of casualties. You said you wanted to be in Fairy Tail, but I guess old habits die hard because you're acting a hell of a lot like a Sabertooth member." Gray growled and I stood up, swaying as black dots coated my vision.

"Rot in your grave." I breathed out, turning and banging on the door. It swung open quickly, the guard tilting his head as I stepped out.

"Take me to a sleeping car, I want to rest." I snapped at him and he stood a bit straighter, surprised by my tone. This isn't what I wanted.

Yooooo lots of stuff to think about in this chapter! I feel like this is a slow moving chapter and I apologize because the last one was as well but both were very important! Next chapter things are gonna speed up more so be prepared! Until then, I feel like I should tell you...I'm hinting at answers to some of your questions ;) Which questions? Weeeeelllll you have to figure out that on your own :P

Responses?

Sara1.8- Hey! I saw your review on the previous chapter and then the one on the last one I posted (not this one) and I wanted to know, your comment did not offed me! I do k ow that many authors prefer it but I feel like tagging it like that before someone even reads it just kind of ruins it a bit. WHen you buy a book from the store, it doesn't tell you straight up if one of the characters will die. You have to read and find out and that's part of the thrill of a story :P However if a bunch of people feel really strongly about it then I will put a dark theme warning on the first chapter.

hana rika- ahhh I can't say much but thank you, and that you prooooobably don't wanna miss these next few chapters. I appreciate that while you don't like the way some things are going you can still give credit while credit is due. As far as Sting is characterized, I haven't gotten to the part in the show or the maga where he is yet, and I know that he isn't actually like this. I know that he has a sadistic side but I know he's not terrible. However I needed a bad guy for this story and I don't like bringing in OC's for fanfictions unless absolutely necessary. Also I hope you feel better and have healthy coping methods!

-Welcome back to the story! Sorry you had top reread everything, but I had to edit and make changes so that the story was more interesting (for me anyway) and so that it would flow easily. I felt like how it was before was really choppy with way to many errors and plot holes and not enough detail, so hopefully I fixed that at least a little bit!

I'm sorry i can't reply to everyone! But I really did enjoy reading everyone's comments! You guys made me smile, and all of you are so sweet! Now I know that everyone is kind of screaming and crying (shout out to soul-of-glass who's comment was pure screaming) but trust me, you guys don't wanna leave just yet. Big hints in this chapter and I guess you could say things are going to...heat up soon.

Anyway until then! Questions? Comments? Concerns? Feel free to review in the box below and or drop me a pm as it is open! Aslo you should go ahead and follow and like the story so you can see when I update it, and you should go ahead and follow my account so you can see when I post other things as well!

Ps. I'll be participating in the FT Fanfics valentine event on tumblr, and I'll most likely post what I write for that on here so keep you're eyes out! Since this story is getting closer and closer to the end, you all should start reading my one shots so that you can start thinking about which ones you'd want to see turn into a full length story!