Genre: Shounen ai/ Yaoi, Character death, Gore, Non-con, Tragedy.
Pairings: Gray x Natsu (Or vice versa)
Disclaimer: I do not own fairy tail.
oOoOoOoO
Solace shall be sought, but never found.
Natsu follows Gray into the guild, eyes were on him, but words weren't spoken. It was just utter silence, unnerving and pressuring, he tilted his head down allowing pink bangs to fall over his tear diluted pupils, he didn't want to face any of them. Guilt struck him again aggressively, once friendly faces stared at him coldly. They must abhorred him for letting Lucy die, he abhorred himself for letting Lucy die, his inability to protect her should be shamed. He trails after Gray meekly who led him to Makarov. What used to be an energetic old man looks at him lugubriously,
"Natsu!" He bellows,
Natsu flinched from the strength of his voice, he was probably going to get beaten to a bloody mess by the old man, he braced himself for the impact which never arrived. Instead, the voice continues,
"You're going to infiltrate the enemy guild, capture their master, and make him kneel in front of Lucy's grave!" He declares.
Cheers, howls and roaring excitement resonated through the guild almost instantly, distant recognizable chatters and voices celebrated their master's decisions,
'Yeah! No one messes with Fairy tail and gets away with it!'
'Go kick their ass!'
'Make them pay!'
Life snuggled it's way back to the guild, hiding their sadness, the guild put on a tough front, for the sake of Natsu and Lucy, they simply couldn't allow themselves to get corroded by anguish.
Through the blinding light, the boy saw familiar faces with arms outstretched, he can finally return... they came searching for him... they came to help him...
The warmth radiated through him, brighter then the most brilliant fire and calmer then the placid lake. It was a comforting feeling that he couldn't explain, it still hurts a lot inside, but as if being injected by a tranquilizer, he no longer felt the tugging pain, even if it's a transient deliverance, he appreciated it. He love this guild, he will become much, much stronger, so no one can ever hurt any one of his friends again.
Much, much stronger...
Swallowing back the tears, Natsu lifted his head, with a fabricated grin he smacked his fist together, "I'm all fired up!" He exclaims.
"Lets go take revenge for Lucy!" Gray continues with a gentle pat on Natsu's back.
Just like the happier days, the guild celebrated, drinks, dances and fights, no one pried into the darker memories, because on the inside, everyone was writhing with woe. But right now, they couldn't let their weakness show. Together they will move on towards a better tomorrow, a tomorrow where they will trash their enemies, and vent out all their pent-up frustrations. That's right, not on Natsu, but the real cause of evil.
Witnessing the effort that everyone was putting in for him, Natsu couldn't bear to cower and sob alone, they might have forgave him, but he couldn't forgive himself. He couldn't let it show, just like how the others hides behind a jubilant mask, he should too. He can't be the one to rain on their parade, can't bring their spirits down. They were doing it for him, and Natsu respected it. Just like how Gray dragged him back from despair, he will ravage the enemies, and plummet them into the same oblivion as what they tossed him in. He will show them something far worst then hell.
He smirks to himself just imagining all the torment he'll put them through. The sweet whispers in his mind grew louder, it felt so right... so satisfying... he couldn't get enough of it.
And Gray was the only one noticed his contorted smile amidst the uproarious party.
Just like Wendy, Gray realized the malevolence growing in the pink headed dragon slayer. He had never seen something so monstrous reflected in those fiery eyes. It wasn't just about defeating any more, it was about obliterating. He could identify it, the dark glimmer was blood-lust, same as the ones in Deliora. An animalistic instinct to annihilate everything in it's path. He tried to shake that feeling off, hoping that he judged wrong, but it became difficult to after seeing the distorted art piece Natsu had created that day.
Gray was the one who found Natsu passed out among the disfigured corpse, the memory still sickens him, of the crisp, dismembered carcasses. Intestines, eyeballs and kidneys splattered everywhere, one of them had his skull crushed into the wall and white brain matter stuck to the concrete and dried, the other had his skin removed from him when he was still alive, the rest either amputated or disembowelled. Gray could see the residues of desperate struggles, the men tried to run away, but Natsu didn't let them. He swallows bitterly trying to forget the trauma, he was glad that no one else had to witness the scene. It was so unlike Natsu...
How ironic, for he always avoided killing his opponents no matter how rotten they are.
Natsu changed, but Gray couldn't confront him about it, not now especially.
oOoOoOoO
Dawn breaks the next morning as some members woke up with a throbbing hang over. Mirajane briefed them on the mission plan and the involved bunch sets off. The guild's name was white shackles, with Levy's research, they found out a few terrible details surrounding that guild. They were responsible for illegal human experiments, kidnappings and black market trading. When Natsu first picked up the request, it was of a parent in search of her eight year old daughter, if only he knew things would turn out like this, he would never have dragged Lucy along. Their methods were underhanded and despicable. Traps marred the building and one accident would lead to fatality.
He would become stronger... So his comrades would never have to endure those suffers.
Their destination wasn't very far, but they still required a train to get there since White shackles was situated at the edge of Magnolia.
Natsu dreaded the train ride, trying his best to keep his breakfast inside rather then out. Happy flew around the cabin nonchalantly, but the atmosphere was tense, no one spoke much, they were all itching to get a piece of the damnable foes. And Natsu will be the first to grip his sharpened claws around the master's throat, they will pay for what they did. They will pay... they will pay... Wait till he gets off the transport, he will burst right into their guild, and kill everyone in sight. Even through the nausea, the voice urged him, it became more frequent, more persistent and definite.
When the rumbling stops, Natsu feels the queasiness slowly subdued and his vision cleared, it was lucky that he didn't threw up this time. He doesn't want to march in with puke all over him, that'll look lame. They stood before the towering building, drawing a deep breath,
"Oi! Come out you coward! I'm going to beat the shit out'ta you!" Natsu shouted tauntingly. There were no respond, just the eerie howls of the passing wind. "Damn it." Natsu spat as he ignited his fist, ready to bust the gates open. Just as his flames licked the grills, the heavy metal barrier creaked open with a gut-wrenching shrill.
"Looks like they're inviting us in huh." Gray commented.
"It might be a trap." Erza warned, but Natsu cuts her off quickly, "Trap or not, I'll beat the shit out'ta them!"
They proceed down the cobblestone path, passing the overgrown garden and slowly to the main building, the doors were generously held open for them, it had to be a trap, but Natsu was willing to fall into it once more, because this time, their petty tricks wouldn't work. He would kill them all before they could try anything.
The lights dimmed as the entrance closed behind them, torches rooted to the wall flickers to life illuminating the once dark room. There were almost nothing in here except for a few cobwebs dangling from the corners and an occasional mouse scurrying across the room.
Rather then a guild, it looked more like a Dungeon.
There were four passage situated at the far end of the room, it was purposeful. They could search one by one, but it would take awhile before they find the right one, the enemies's scheme was to split them up. The unsettling feeling arises in him again, regardlessly it was too late to back out. He wouldn't stop until he returned the favour of what their guild members did to Lucy, all of them will pay dearly... But the thought of sending his comrades (especially Wendy) into the paths alone was enough to waver him. Levy did warn about the numerous ambushes awaiting them in this building, he was skeptical. They were being played by the enemy, and Natsu detested that.
Even though his mind was concentrated on having his fists drenched in their blood, and the thrill of slowly massacring them. He tried to shake the idea off but it comes back incessantly reminding him. Natsu felt sick, he doesn't want to embrace it, he knew he wasn't like this, but each time as he recalled how they mercilessly treated Lucy made his blood boil.
Wendy saw the hesitancy in Natsu and realized he was probably worried about her well-being, she was remarkable at support spells, but only adequate at combat magic. Nevertheless, she can hold her own fight, she wouldn't allow herself to drag the team down. With an optimistic note,
"Don't worry Natsu-san! I'll try my best!" She chirped.
"Wendy..." Natsu muttered, but Carla cuts him off,
"Wendy, don't push yourself."
"I'll be fine Carla, because you'll be by my side!" Wendy replied joyfully.
"Then I'll protect Carla!" Happy announced but was quickly interrupted by Natsu,
"Oi, you're ganna abandon me, Happy?"
"But Natsu doesn't need protecting." Happy mumbled dejectedly.
"While you three are debating, I'm going ahead first." Gray added casually as he approached the left most entrance, with an arm raised in a light wave, his silhouette disappears into the winding path and foot steps faded into the distance.
"I'm not going to let that exhibitionist beat me to the Master!" Natsu declared, he dashed into the third opening, leaving the confused Wendy and sighing Erza behind. He hears Erza's faint voice cautioning Wendy whilst he charged forward relentlessly. He didn't have time to waste.
In a dark room sits a figure, both hands placed on the glimmering crystal ball, the dim incandescence illuminated the delineation of her face, a sinister smirk portrays her expression, eyes narrowed as she stares intriguingly into the jewel. A chuckle resounded lightly as she watches with amusement of the fairy dogs straying ignorantly into her well-developed plot. Within the crystal tracked the movements of the clueless blue-hair mage, as she advance cautiously into the hall. This is going to be an interesting experiment... She mused.
Wendy proceeded timidly into the building, the air circulation was bad and she could smell deadly chemicals drifting in the wind. It was a mixture of dioxin, mercury, cyanide and other toxins which she couldn't recognize. The stench gets more prominent as she reached the deeper parts, the pungent odor was unbearable but Wendy couldn't afford to turn back now. Her slightly shaky hands were clutched tightly in front of her chest, she regulated her breathing as she looked around wearily with her heightened senses.
"Wendy!" Carla alerted suddenly, her voice echoed through the empty walkway eerily.
"Uhm! I felt it too!" Wendy answered as she shifted her legs apart preparing to dodge if an attack was dealt.
She was vigilant with each movement, and was almost certain that she hasn't trigger any strung booby-traps, she paid attention to the air currents and sounds which it carried so it signalled her immediately when there was a disruption in frequency. This could only mean one thing, an enemy! Sure enough, a dagger darted towards her and with a light maneuver, Wendy jumped out of the way.
She landed skilfully on her feet and turned towards the direction of the attack, a blonde hair man probably around Erza's age (or possibly slightly older) emerged from the darkness. Red eyes glinted sadistically as he snickered,
"Ahh, you avoided that."
"Who are you!" Wendy asked reflectively.
With a light swing of his arms, he drew out another dagger concealed within his black sleeves, "My humble name isn't of importance, but I'm here to entertain you, princess." He spoke melodiously and after a slight bow, he launched the dagger towards the unsuspecting sky dragon slayer.
Carla grabbed Wendy's dress collar and hauled her out from the impending danger, whilst in mid-air, Wendy took a deep breath, her cheeks puffed up cutely and then,
"Tenryu no... Hoko!" She cried, a pale blue light took shape of a casting circle followed by a gust of wind blasted through the centre stirring up dirt and dust as it tore towards the assailant. Carla dropped Wendy to the ground as her attack converged, it was a direct hit! That ought to do some damage, it should... But...
As the curtain of fog cleared, the profile of the man arise, he stood there spotless and unmoving. Following, an impressed whistle, "Heeh... You can do something like that too." He commented.
Adrenaline raced through Wendy's bloodstream as panic hits her, she was certain that her attack connected, but why was he fine. She doesn't have time to rationalize with herself before she had to make another evasion, the man lunged towards her brutally, Wendy twisted her body to prevent a stab that would have punctured her stomach.
"Tenryu no Saiga!" She swung her claws at the attacker, they were inches away, he wouldn't have time to dodge before she reaches him. He didn't, Wendy observed him closely as a crimson burst of light formed the shape of a magic circle, he was about to cast something, and if it's offensive, Wendy would get hit too, Tenryu no saiga was a melee attack, she couldn't escape while she was in mid action. Wendy braced herself for the impact, but instead her magic just disappears as she hits his defending arm.
He cancelled her attack! She realizes, about to retreat but was denied when he grabbed her offending wrist in a deathly clutch. It hurt her fragile bones, strong enough to bruise, but not enough to break. She let out a trouble yelp and Carla rushed to her side immediately.
"Wendy!" She hollers concerned, flying towards the man in a fruitless assault, only to be brushed aside easily. Her small body hits the wall and tumbles to the ground.
"Carla! Carla!" Wendy screamed, concerned, she watched her friend struggle to pick herself up from floor.
Wendy wouldn't let herself to be captured now, she promised herself that she wouldn't be a burden to Natsu. With an upraised arm, "Amuzu, Ama, Bania." she announces as she cast the temporary buffs on herself. Her body emitted a pale light in response to the spell, with a tussle, she freed herself from the captor and rushed towards Carla.
She bent down and helped the white cat's up, "Hold on, Carla, I'll heal you right now!" She cries, worry laced her words. Raising her hands to call-forth her medic powers, warm azure dazzles from her finger tips showering the bruises and cuts that blemished Carla's white fur.
"Wendy, watch out!" Carla alarmed when the man approaches Wendy and yanked her up by the hair. A pained grunt escapes her throat as the actions followed, he pulled her towards himself as he whispers to her in a sadism coated voice ,
"Don't ignore me, I'll be sad..."
Wendy jabbed his stomach with her elbows, under her magic enhanced strength, she did enough damage to the man to cause him to fold over, grip releasing her to cradle the sore spot which she hit. She immediately receded from the man, and while he was distracted by the discomfort,
"Tenryu no Kagizume!" She leaps into the air and swung her leg at the opponent, he didn't have time to cancel under Wendy's array of chained attacks. It sent him crashing into the wall, denting the cobblestone and causing lose fragments to fall out. Wendy needed to defeat him before her buffs run out.
"Tenryu no Hoko!" She unleashed the cry one more time, knowing that he couldn't deflect it this time while in his weaken state, with her enhanced speed, Wendy wouldn't give him a chance to recover, she'll bombard him incessantly when she could. The wall gave way and crumbled a gaping hole. Wendy landed on the floor panting, she could feel her mana depleting low, her breathing got raspier and her body felt heavy. The timed enhancements were fading too as the gleam which radiated from her skin vanishes.
The guy laid motionless on the ground covered by debris, a small cheer erupted from Wendy when she believed she won. She rushed to Carla's aid and used her remaining magic to heal the wounded cat. That's when a chill shivered down her spine, she heard movements within the rubble, she spun around hastily to observe a hand break through the pile. She didn't defeat him yet!
She watches in horror as the man slowly picked himself up from the collapsed wreckage, pushing away the rocks. Sparks expelled from his cuts and gashes, Wendy saw wires within his body in place of where veins should be and a blood stained metal linkage instead of a bone. He wasn't human! Wendy gasped in trepidation when she found out the fact. Her back pressed tightly against the wall when the man slowly neared her. She needed more time recover her mana but the air in this place wasn't helping one bit. She got to run away, but her legs were petrified in place, barely able to support her weight.
A forceful hand grabbed her narrow throat and pinned her to the wall, her eyes bulged as she struggled for air. Her legs kicking about frailly and her ears rang, but over that unceasing ringing, she could hear his distasteful voice, filled with regalement,
"You're fascinating, princess!" as his eyes widen seemingly studying her dismay.
She chocked out a few strangled coughs, and her hands scratched at his rigid fingers, with much effort she managed to say in a weak, suffocated mutter,
"Ru...n...away... Car...la"
Carla pounded feebly against his legs, in a desperate attempt to free Wendy, but he didn't even flinch, with a quick shift of his legs, the man kicked Carla away.
Wendy felt her vision darken and her consciousness fading, her head felt like it was about to explode, she was about to pass out, but right before it, she saw a flash of pink, a familiar voice yelled out,
"Karyuu no Tekken!"
a comforting heat enveloped her body. She felt the grip loosen and the assailant retreat backwards, she falls on her knees, her hands weakly supporting her from collapsing. She pants and greedily grasp for air. Her vision fuzzed and focused and Wendy slowly lifted her head. Before her was Natsu with his flame engulfed hand raised. There was an obvious protruding vein on his forehead, Natsu was undoubtedly infuriated.
"How dare you hurt my friend!" He roared, charging at the shaken attacker with his ready made fist.
"Natsu-san! be-caref..." Wendy shrieked, wanting to tell Natsu about his cancelling ability, but realizing that unlike her, even with his flames denied, Natsu still had brute strength to send the man flying. And it did. He went crashing into the opposite wall denting it as well. He toiled his body, lifting an arm against the wall to regain balance. He gaped at Natsu heinously, as he muttered a soft,
"Tch."
He darted towards the two and Natsu got ready to retaliate, but what shocked him was, the man was never aiming Natsu to begin with, he was targeting the worn out Wendy. He brushed past Natsu with lightning quick speed to pick Wendy up and held her hostage. He withdrawn a clear distance away from the seething fire dragon slayer and pulled out a dagger to press against her throat.
"Make one move, and I'll slit it!" He demanded.
Natsu clenched his fist until it turned white, but stayed rooted in his place, how he wanted to kill this man right now, but he couldn't risk sacrificing his beloved team mate. He stared at him with ferocious eyes with all sorts of murderous intent. He wasn't going to let the same thing happened to Wendy as it did to Lucy.
Carla finally regained her composure as Happy flew to her side to support her,
"Wendy!" She exclaimed so terror-stricken. She stares at the conflicting trio powerlessly, they stayed rooted in a stagnant position, no movements were made from either one of them. The enemy was desperate too.
Natsu felt an arctic breeze across his heated skin, this sensation... He hears crackling on the wall beside him as it froze, followed by a loud smash, it shattered, allowing the resident of the other side to crossover. The voice which he knew almost all too well resonated anxiously,
"Everything okay?" Gray asked, stepping through the breach. He tensed up instantly when he saw Wendy in captive. His body shifted reflectively to his battle position, bringing his hands together ready to cast but the obnoxious man stopped him. Gray saw a trickle of red sliding down Wendy's throat and pooled at the collar bones, he meant it. He was serious about hurting Wendy.
Wendy winced from the stinging discomfort on her neck, it wasn't a deep cut, but it still burned. Sweat formed on her forehead with each passing second, she needed more time before she could recover and use magic again, and she just needed to stall him until then.
"Looks like the you're all gathering." The man expressed, "That's troublesome for me..." There was a little furrow in his brows before he continued, "As much as I want to kill you, I'm afraid my boss has something better in mind." He stops, as if listening to a silent comment that none of the rest could hear.
"Obey me, and this girl will stay alive." He finishes his last demand.
Gray could hear a low vibrating growl from Natsu, his eyes flicks over to see Natsu gritting his teeth, bearing his sharpened canines at the man, his eyes mad with execration, almost as if ready to bite his head off. No matter how reckless he was, Gray knew Natsu wasn't stupid enough to blindly charge him in this condition. Gray hated it, but he was at lost for solutions as well. He stood patiently and awaited for his commands.
"Mah... What scary eyes." the man taunted,
"Pink head... go suck that ice boy off." He ordered.
And almost in unison, "I'll fucking kill you!" Natsu cursed, while Gray just stuttered a loud, "Huh?"
End of chapter 2.
A/n: I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy reading it as well! Then again, I'm writing this for my own amusement so... Forgive the lack of Erza screen time, I just haven't found the right location to slot her in yet, and yes like I said, this story will have a slow development, there's also a slight plot hole in this chapter, did you manage to spot it? Also forgive the use of original characters because I adore fairy tail characters too much to make them so despicable. By the way, Amuzu, Ama, Bania is arms, armor, vernier with Japanese pronunciation.
Thank you for reading, you are all loved! Reviews will hasten the next chapter! /winks.