Hello people! So, I am SUPER ESTATIC! Wanna know why? Because this story has over a 1000 reviews! O.O I can't believe it...I'm just so happy. I never thought I would get this many views let alone reviews! Thank you everyone! You all have been such lovely fans! I am so happy for all the support this story has got! I can't even express my thanks to all you people! How do I even thank you guys? (Seriously give me a few suggestions and I'll do it!)
Well, now on with this chapter. Expect pain, panic and perspiration! This is a huge emotional chapter! You have been warned!
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Fairy Tail but Scarlet Destiny is all mine!
Jared couldn't concentrate. He couldn't phase.
Sarah was close enough. She jumped in the air, sword raised, ready to slash Jared in half. Time seemed to slow down for the onlookers. Lucy let out a sharp gasp, eyes wide, Natsu mouth was left hanging open, Keahi gritted his teeth and Ren let out a desperate yell,
"Jared!"
A huge clang echoed through the room, vibrating along the walls enhancing the sound. Lucy could feel her heart nearly jump out of her chest at the sound. Her eyes widened when she finally took in the view in front of her.
And, she had never relief surge though her faster than this very moment.
Zolo stood tall, his right arm stretched forward in front of him. Kazuki, the silver-sword, was gripped tightly in his right hand on a horizontal angle. His feet spread wide, and body slightly limp. Sarah was in front of him, her sword pressing against Zolo's. Zolo kept his position in between Sarah and Jared, refusing to move a muscle. His face showcased an emotion Lucy had never seen on him before.
Worry.
"Zolo!" Ren burst out, never been so happy to see the S-class mage before.
Sarah on the other hand showed no emotion on her face at being blocked. She kept the pressure on the sword as if expecting she could slash through Zolo and his sword so she could kill Jared. When she made no progress to do so, she suddenly let go, quickly moving a few spaces back.
Zolo let out a breath of ease when he saw Sarah back off. He didn't think he could have held her off for that long. His chest ached in agony, he could literally feel his broken ribs grind against each other. His left hand even worse, the pain becoming almost unbearable. It had been a long time since he felt that flow on panic burst through his body.
He didn't like it at all.
Suddenly, a huge thud caught Zolo's attention. He spun around as fast as he could, ignoring the flare of pain over his chest, as he eyed his master. Jared was on the floor sitting on his backside, legs out in front of him and his hand lifelessly on either side of him. It looked like he had just collapsed on the floor.
"Jared, are you okay?" Lucy asked as she rushed to her Masters side.
Jared didn't answer her. His eyes focused on the figure behind Zolo. Sarah had yet to move, her eyes focused on nothing.
"Jared, what the fuck are you doing?!" Zolo swore "Why didn't you move!? Or at least use your magic?! You would have been killed!"
"I-I couldn't...S-Sarah I-is." Jared stuttered, unable to produce a coherent sentence.
His heart ached as if someone had a hand around squeezing it. His legs shook, his arms trembled and he was overall in a serious mess. He faintly took in the fact, Lucy settling down on her knees next to him, worry flaring on his face. He also noticed Ren, Natsu and Keahi moving closer to surround him as if to act as a protective shield.
But, none of this mattered to Jared. His main focus was on Sarah. His dear Sarah who had just tried to...
No! No! No!
Jared lower lip stared to tremble and his eyes snapped shut. Lucy looked at the state Jared was in. She could tell he was in severe shock or even denial. She could almost guess what he was thinking. She knew that Jared's heart was telling him that Sarah could never do anything like this while his mind was trying to process that Sarah had indeed tried to kill him.
"Scarlet Destiny S-Class Mage..."
A voice suddenly spoke in Lucy's mind. Like a switched being flipped, Lucy emotions turned to rage at the sound of that voice. His voice. The Lords voice inside of her mind.
"You!" Ren growled loudly as he heard the voice spoke in his mind.
Natsu looked just as mad as Ren, his eyes narrowing to mere slits. He couldn't even remember the last time he had been this full of rage. Sure, his feeling for Scarlet Destiny guild had turned to confusion more than anger then hatred (which was still present) but what he felt for the guild didn't matter. Even he could tell the connection between Sarah and Jared. And, for someone to cruelly manipulate that... Natsu wanted to set something on fire and watch it burn to ash, preferably the Lord dude.
Keahi mimicked everyone's else's anger. His hair burnt a bright red, seeming to express his emotion as the fire hair looked to be mere seconds from exploding. His eyes were similar to his hair, shining a bright colour betting red and orange.
"You have crossed the line..." Zolo whispered as he looked to the ceiling as if that's where the Lord was "You bastard. Hurting my guild like this, hurting my master, hurting my family. I'll fucking slice you alive."
A mocking chuckle echoed throughout everyone mind.
"I am rather to see you here mind user. I was sure Master Kyron would have dealt death to you be now. It pisses me off. Always coming in my way. Ruining my plans. You Scarlet Destiny members."
Lucy's fury calmed down for a second as she took in the Lords words. Always coming in the way? Ruining his plans? When had Scarlet Destiny done that? The only reason they had first got involved in the first place was because of Lacus Animarium killing guild members. So, of course people were going to be sent to stop them.
Lucy always knew that Lacus Animairum had extra motives. But now she had to really think of a second. What were Lacus Animarium motives? What did they want?
"I will have to adjust my plan again because of you scum. No matter though. I will get what I want."
A pause as everyone stood still, wondering what the Lord was aiming to do.
"A change of plan my dear Sarah. Instead of killing Jared, I want you to go after the mind user first. Destroy him. I can tell that Kyron has already left a devastating blow on him. I want you to finish him off."
The master commanded. And, the puppet followed the orders. Sarah rushed forwards, sword high in the air, this time aiming for Zolo. Zolo let out a grunt as he raised Kazuki to block. Another huge clang radiated across the room, and both swords stayed in contact trying to push through each other.
Suddenly, Sarah dropped her sword causing Zolo to slightly stumble. With this lost of balance, Sarah took the advantage. She spun around for momentum and then lashed out a leg. It brutally hit Zolo's chest causing two reactions.
The first was that Zolo flew backwards, across the side away from the rest of the people present. The second reaction was the deafening, painful scream ripped out of his throat. He had been kicked directly across his broken ribs. Shit.
The reaction Sarah got had no effect on her. She didn't even take in the fact that she just hurt her guild member. Instead, she just rushed towards Zolo in another attack. Through slightly blurry eyes, Zolo managed to raise to his knees. Just in time too, as he raised Kazuki to block a blow from Sarah's sword.
The two then were quick to react. They started to trade blows as Sarah tried to end Zolo with the other trying to defend himself. Zolo knew he was at disadvantage. Not because of his wounds, but because he was against Sarah.
He couldn't hurt her. He couldn't even begin to start a comeback attack. All he could do defend. Sweat started to dribble down his face as his breath came out in wheezes as he dodged Sarah's swinging sword. He couldn't do this. The pain was becoming unbearable. He couldn't just stay on defence. He was going to lose it if he did.
Across the room, all but Jared stared at Zolo and Sarah fighting with a mixture of emotions.
"I'm going to help!" Natsu yelled out as he started to move towards the fighting duo.
"No you can't!" Ren yelled as he suddenly jumped in front of Natsu's past.
"What are you talking about? Can you not see this? Sarah has an advantage as Zolo seems to be hurt. We have to help!"
"I know! I can see it! But there's nothing we can do. We'll only come in the way. We can't hurt Sarah either. Right now, she's focused on Zolo. If we try to stop her then there's no telling what the Lord will do next!" Ren shouted out.
"I don't get it." Natsu replied back, voice shaking in anger.
"You idiot!" Keahi suddenly spoke up "The lord has full control over Sarah. What would happen if he decided to just end things? What if he tells Sarah to just kill herself if we interfere and stop her from finishing us off? How would we stop something like that?"
He knew that Sarah was in the Lord's control. Which meant that the Lord could command her to do anything. His mind instantly went through all the worse case scenarios and there was so many of them. The worse he could think of was the Load ordering Sarah to kill herself. And, knowing the control the Lord had on her, she would do it in a blink of an eye.
"What do you suggest we do then?!" Natsu stressed out, hating listening to another person but he knew Keahi had a point but he couldn't even imagine just standing here and doing nothing.
"Find the Lord." Lucy suddenly spoke up, causing Ren, Natsu and Keahi too look down at her.
She stared back them, her eyes glittering with determination.
"He has to be around here. He can't be far. Find him as soon as possible. And stop him. If we can take away the Lord then-"
"He can't control Sarah's mind anymore." Ren butted in, finishing Lucy's sentence.
Lucy nodded her head at Ren. Ren smiled back at her, noticing that they were on the same tune and thoughts.
Natsu couldn't help but let out a little smirk at those words. Keahi to let out a smile at the though of finding the Lord and crunching him.
With no time to lose, they knew they had to go on the search and fast. Natsu and Keahi ran towards the entrance of the room, not bothering to communicate because there really was no need too. They knew what they had to do.
Ren would have followed but his eyes stayed on Lucy refusing to move.
"Your going to stay here, aren't you?" Ren asked Lucy.
Lucy looked up at Ren for a second before she moved her gaze to the stoic Jared beside her who refused to move at all or give any input during the whole conversation.
"I have too," Lucy said with determination "They need me here. I'll come as soon as I can. Don't worry about me. Just go."
But, Ren was worried. More so then he would like to admit. He suddenly moved, reaching a hand out. Lucy felt the feather like touch on her cheek as she felt Ren pressed his fingertips on her soft cheek. He breath caught slightly in her throat. She wanted to close her eyes, let the touch consume her but there was no time. No time for comfort.
"Your crying." Ren announced.
It was at these words that Lucy could feel the wetness on her cheeks. She hadn't even realized that she was. Her vision started to blur as she let out more tears. She just felt so helpless. Every emotion that filled her were so confusing, so frustrating and settled in her chest making her heart feel heavy.
Ren didn't say anything for a second. Just stared at Lucy whose shoulders were actually beginning to shake.
Finally, he removed his fingers from Lucy's cheek and returned it to his side. His fingertips glistening with her tears. His hand suddenly, clenched in a fist, the wetness from Lucy's tears smeared across Ren's palm at the action.
Lucy's tears felt like a seal being burnt into his skin.
"I'll destroy the Lord. I'll save everyone."
Lucy nodded her head believing what Ren said without a single shred of doubt. Ren repeated the same action as Lucy before he sprung towards the door. As he past through it, a picture of Lucy with tears trailing down her face sprung to his mind.
Ren bit into his lip. No, he really did hate seeing Lucy like that. He was more than determined to make sure that wasn't going to be the last image of Lucy he ever saw. He was determined to make her smile again after all this.
As Lucy watched Ren disappear from her sight, she felt her chest constrict. For the one moment she could spare, she prayed, begged, pleaded that Ren would be okay.
Then, her attention turned to her surrounding.
Lucy glimpsed into Zolo and Sarah's fight. She could tell who was in power. Zolo was barely hanging in there. She did notice it the moment Zolo had entered the scene. He was wounded. In pain. If she had to guess, it was probably his left hand since he wasn't moving at all in the fight nor was he holding or using his other sword. And, if she had to guess the other place it would be his chest with the way Zolo screamed when Sarah hit it.
Zolo could not last in a fight with Sarah like this. He couldn't bring her out of her control either. She didn't think Zolo had that much time at all left. All he was doing right now was serving as a distraction. A much-needed one Lucy supposed too.
Then, she looked to the one person who could turn this situation around. But, he was just sitting there, staring into space.
Lucy reached out a hand, tenderly putting it on Jared's shoulder. She could feel the vibrations as he shook. At the touch, Jared eyes sprung to Lucy.
Lucy winced. In those black eyes she could see it all. The pain and suffering for being put in such a situation.
"Jared," Lucy started her voice sounding firm even though inside she was literally shaking "You have to help. Zolo can't handle Sarah for much longer because of his wounds. And, I doubt me going against her would do much. It has to be you. You have to break her out of her control. You have to fight her."
Jared shook his head in desperation.
"I-I can't..."
Lucy felt all the oxygen in her lungs disperse.
"There's no you can or can't. You have to Jared! Sarah has to still be in there. You're the one that's the most important person in her life. You two have a connection that nobody can define. You can reach her. You can break her out. I believe it."
Jared stared at Lucy. It was at this moment, Lucy noticed Jared's eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
"You don't understand Lucy," Jared whispered "I can't fight her. Sarah is everything to me. She gave me my life."
"I know!" Lucy expressed "I know how much she means to you. I know you feel like you owe her your life-"
"You don't understand me," Jared interrupted as he repeated his previous sentence "She really did give me my life. I-I don't remember anything. Back when I was younger, I had amnesia. My first memory was waking up in a random field. I was probably ten and I had no idea who I was. I just woke up with no memory of my life, who my parents were, where I came from or even my name."
Lucy looked at Jared with wide eyes. Amnesia? He had amnesia. Her eyes quickly looked at Sarah and Zolo's fight. They were still in a lock, Zolo not backing down or Sarah yet overpowering him. They had at least a few minutes. A plan sprung to Lucy. She quickly look down at Jared.
"Tell me." Lucy said not minding that her voice sounded very demanding "What is your past? What is Sarah's past?"
Jared gulped hard. Even if he did want to refuse he knew he couldn't.
"I don't remember anything before I'm ten. At first I did try to find out who I really was. I tried the villages around the field I woke up but nothing. No one knew who I was. No one cared. After a while of always coming up empty, I didn't care either. If I just woke up at some random field then I probably didn't matter much otherwise someone would have tried to find me. Giving up on remembering my past, I travelled from village to village surviving on barely anything. I was a lost boy, with no name and no purpose."
Jared paused and a thoughtful look came on his face.
"In a few months, I happened to arrive at Sarah's village. It was a small little place with a little over a hundred people. Since the little population, everyone knew each other and I was at once signalled as a foreigner as not many people arrived at her village. They outcast me straight away, allowing me to live in their streets if nothing else. But, that was my only luxury."
Suddenly, a smile bloomed on Jared's face causing shock to spread on Lucy's at the emotion.
"It didn't matter. I wasn't going to stay for long. But...I met Sarah. It was random, I wasn't looking where I was going and literally ran in to her. We both fell in a heap and I made her drop the food she was carrying at the time. I remember feeling slightly embarrassed as I helped her pick it up while apologising to her. Halfway doing that, Sarah didn't do anything but just stand there watching me in shock helping her. And, I guess you would say our fates were sealed."
"How?" Lucy asked not getting at what Jared was saying.
Jared looked up at her, eyes bright.
"I helped her. I was kind to her. The very first person to ever be kind to her. It was because," Jared paused, any traced of the smile gone as he looked down at his hands that were in tight fists as he thought of something he didn't like "Everyone in the village hated Sarah."
"What?" Lucy somewhat exploded not understanding, "Why? Everyone? What about her parents?"
"I didn't understand at first either," Jared started "Or rather I didn't notice it at first either. Sarah became attached to me although I had no idea why. It was annoying at first having her follow me around. I tried to tell her I was going to leave the village soon as I never stayed for long anywhere and because of this she shouldn't hang out with me. But that didn't shake her. She still clung to me. I hated it. I didn't try to understand why."
"Sarah...She gave me everything. She would always bring me food, clothes and other stuff as if to make life easier for me. She...gave me my name. Jared probably isn't my real name. I didn't even have a name when I met her. But, Sarah said that I had to have one so she gave me that one saying she always liked how that name sounded. We became closer as every day past. Instead of feeling annoyance at her company, I really enjoyed it. I didn't feel empty, without a purpose when I was around her. She made me happy."
All emotions were off Jared face as a dark look overcame his eyes.
"We stayed in our protective bubble of happiness for three months. As time went on, I noticed that Sarah never got treated right with the villagers. It was like she was hated, despise by the villagers. Even her own parents acted like that. They hated her, acted like she was some sought of mistake. When I asked Sarah about it, she wouldn't tell me. Then, it came. The fateful day."
Jared took a deep breath,
"Sarah didn't meet with me at our usual place so I went into the village looking for her. And, I saw her...Except she was getting beaten by the villagers, pushed around. There were many of them around her, her parents at the front dealing the most damage. I didn't understand it. I couldn't fathom why they were hurting her. Hated seeing it like that. I didn't know though. I didn't know the reason they were hurting her. It was because Sarah had a secret."
Lucy eyes widened remembering Lord talking about said secret. She listened attentively, wondering what the hell it was.
"Sarah's secret...She...She has something. Inside of her. Something I can't even explain to you. A being. A being in her mind, that's it. And, this being is dangerous, powerful and full of blood-lust. I don't know where it came from and neither does she. No one knows where it came from. It just did. It's like another half to her except its mindless. It just wants blood and nothing else. That's its one motive to kill. Sarah keeps it trapped though. She tries hard to keep it trap and never come out! I promise!" Jared explained, as he looked at Lucy with eyes begging her to understand.
"That's why you always tell Sarah to stay calm," Lucy voice out, realisation dawning on her "You always say, she always says that she wants to stay calm. Is it because of this thing inside of her?!"
Jared nodded his head.
"Its trapped in Sarah's mind. But, too much emotion can release its chains and free it. So, Sarah has to keep calm. Always. Forever. But, back then I didn't know that. All I saw was Sarah getting hurt and I sprung into action and tried to save her. Back then, my phasing magic was just coming out but I couldn't use it properly. The villagers easily ganged up on me and started to beat me instead. And...that's what broke Sarah. Getting herself hurt was one thing but seeing the one person who was ever kind to her get hurt was another. S-Sarah lost all control. It got out."
Jared let out a shaky breath.
"It was...monstrous. Invincible. It was unspeakable. And it...killed everyone."
"What?!" Lucy yelled out.
Jared stared at her with no visible emotion.
"Everyone died by Sarah's hand. It killed them all. Men, women and children. Her own parents. It didn't matter whom all that mattered to the thing was that everyone was dead. That it killed them all. Lucy, it was...a one sided-massacre. No one lived. I would have died too. But, my phasing abilities managed to keep me alive for a little while before I couldn't phase anymore. Somehow, someway seeing me survive seemed to bring Sara back. She managed to take reign and push the thing inside of her back in her mind. But it was too late by then. Everyone was dead."
Lucy had no idea what to say. She couldn't even begin to form a sentence. It was truly shocking. How did she even reply to that let alone imagine it? Sweet, kind Sarah had such a thing inside of her? It was unbelievable.
"When she did come back, Sarah was still somewhat broken. She thought she was a monster. She was in deep depration...in deep pain. I-I couldn't see her let that. So I took her to the one place we would hang out and made a promise to her. I told her that she wasn't a monster. I wouldn't let her to be a monster. I said to her I would give her the one thing she always wanted, a family, people she could always rely on and love and that would do the same back. And, that's how Scarlet Destiny came to be. But, I also made a promise to her. An oath. I promised I would never let anyone hurt her. I would be by her side...Forever." Jared said as he finished his story.
There was a few moments of silence. Suddenly, Lucy shot up as she stood above, Jared towering over him. Jared eyes widened slightly at the action.
"I...I don't really know how to reply all that...Its really overwhelming your pasts...but...I know one thing! Hearing all of that, I don't think Sarah is a monster. I don't think that. Sarah is Sarah no matter what. She's still the most kindest person I have met and still the second-in-command of my guild. And, it's for that reason I want to save her. I love Sarah and...and..."
Lucy paused as she could feel the trails of tears leak out of her eyes, trail down her cheeks and fall the floor,
"I don't want anyone to anyone to get hurt!" Lucy cried out "I want everyone to live. I want everyone to go back home together. I want to make more happy memories with Scarlet Destiny. I don't want us to fight against each other but I don't want to lose anyone either. I want to go back together as a family. I-I love Scarlet Destiny. I really, really love Scarlet Destiny."
Jared eyes widened at Lucy's shaking form as she brawled her eyes out as she confessed her feelings. Then, his eyes soften.
Suddenly, Lucy felt a soft foreign touch on the top of her head. She looked up to find Jared standing in front of her a soft smile on his safe. She could feel Jared's calming touch as his hand was on top of her head.
"I must be a horrible Master, huh?" Jared started with a soft smile "Making my guild mates cry and hurt like this. Making them worry out for me, fight for me, risk their lives for our guild while I just sit here doing nothing. Looks like I got a lot to make up for. Thank you for speaking a lot of sense into me Lucy."
Lucy stared for a smile before a blinding smile appeared on her tear-streaked face.
Jared returned the smile. He had a momentary lapse but he was now more determined than ever. Lucy was right. He couldn't let this happen. He couldn't let Sarah go on like she was. He made a promise to Sarah.
And, he was making damn sure he wasn't going to break it.
Jared turned around to look at the fight going on behind him. He spotted Zolo who was limping a lot and seemed completely breathless. It looked like he was his limit, considering the amount of sword wound's that littered across his body.
Sarah however has not a single mark on her. She seemed to be in perfect condition. She cocked her sword back looking to rush to Zolo again but before she could Jared spoke up,
"Sarah!"
Both Zolo and Sarah turned towards Jared. At once, Zolo let out a little smirk despite the pain he was feeling,
"Looks like your back huh, Master?" Zolo let out, his smirk only widening as he spoke.
"Lucy, I want you to take Zolo and go find the Lord. There's no way you can win the fight without Zolo." Jared explained to Lucy quickly.
Lucy nodded her head.
"Sarah," Jared spoke making sure he still had the girls attention "I'm the one you want right?! You want to kill me right?! Then, I'm right here for the taking. Come at me."
Sarah stared blankly at Jared, not moving a muscle. Then, she raised her sword.
"Go!" Jared yelled as Sarah stated to rush to him like an angry bull.
When she reached Jared, she swung her sword and it went right through Jared. However, instead of killing him, Jared stood just as he did before. He had phased through the attack this time. Sarah noticing this, didn't seem to be bothered by it, as she just raised the sword again looking to take a swing.
While, she did this Lucy took the chance and rushed across the room to Zolo.
"How are you?" Lucy asked as she reached the S-Class mage.
Any fear she had for him was being put to the side at the moment.
"In a shit amount of pain but I'm still alive so it should be okay." Zolo replied back with as smirk.
Lucy sweat dropped at that, wondering why Zolo couldn't answer her like a normal person.
"You heard Jared. We need to get going." Lucy said back.
"Yeah," Zolo agreed before wincing at the pain a slight movement made "How strong are you?"
"Huh?" Lucy said blankly at the sudden question.
"I need you to carry blondie as I can't do that myself right now. You look like you may be able to carry me."
"What?" Lucy shrieked "Your like twice my size! Do you want me to die?"
"Well, I guess not. Since you know, you really want everyone to live and really love Scarlet Destiny so, so much..." Zolo trailed off with a teasing grin on his face as he mentioned part of Lucy's speech.
Lucy felt a huge blush come across her cheeks but knowing she couldn't fight back, she quickly maneuverer so Zolo's right arm hanged over her shoulder. Once settled, Lucy half carried Zolo, or at least tried too out of the room.
During the process, Jared kept on phasing through each of Sarah's attack as she relentlessly swung her sword. Once he was sure that Zolo and Lucy were out of sight, he turned his attention to Sarah.
"Lucy's right. I know you're in there, Sarah. I'm going to find you. I'm right here. By your side. Like I promise I would always be. And, I'm not breaking that promise. Never." Jared swore his oath.
Sarah didn't stop at his words nor hesitated. She didn't even look to take it in. She just swung her sword around, trying to end Jared's life again.
"I guess I'll begin by what I look like an old man..." Elfman started his explanation.
But, before he could say another word, a large groan came from the floor. Both Mira and Carla looked down to see Miyah starting to move around.
"Miyah!" Carla yelled as she flew down the girl.
Her yell seemed to wake up the other inhabitants too. Mia and Lily both started to move around a little, their eyes fluttering. It didn't take long though for all three of them to come back to the world of the living.
"What happened?" Miyah asked as she put a hand to her aching head.
"W-We were fighting the blue masked man and..." Mia trailed on as she remembered what happened.
"We lost." Lily bluntly finished the sentence feeling somewhat ashamed and angry.
He should have been able to have won. He shouldn't have lost...Yet they did. All of them. Their opponent was overwhelmingly strong.
"How are you feeling?" Carla asked all three of them.
"Carla, Mira..." Lily said, slight shock in his voice.
It didn't take long for Lily, Mia and Miyah to get up to date with what was happening. Throughout the conversation, Mia and Miyah were both making numerous glances to Elfman (Mia more than Miyah). Lily noticed these reactions and commented,
"What's wrong with you two?" Lily asked them.
Instead of replying, Mia stood up on slightly shaky legs. She walked slowly towards Elfman who was still in the prison cell. She raised her hand towards where Elfman stood and closed her eyes as she concentrated.
"You are a really big time anomaly." Mia commented.
"Time anomaly?" Mira repeated, wondering why she called Elfman.
"Yeah, time anomaly," Miyah repeated as she stood up too "It means that he's a blimp in time. A mistake. Something that shouldn't be present as it contradicts with the flow with time."
"Why is Elfman like that?" Carla asked the twins.
"We don't know." Miyah said as she looked at Elfman "However, the time anomaly is within the past. That's Mia's section. I can only control time moving forward, remember? Mia is the one that controls time when it goes backwards. That's why it's affecting her more than me. She can feel it. How much of an anomaly Elfman is more then I can."
"Why are you like this?" Mia whispered as she looked up at Elfman.
Elfman sighed, "Man, I was just about to explain it too," A deep breath "The reason why I'm old starts from three months ago when I, Lucy and Lisanna went on a mission together. The mission was going fine, we even managed to beat the thieves, and were going to return home where out of nowhere, both Lucy and Lisanna just collapsed."
"Collapsed?" Mira repeated.
Elfman nodded his head, "They just went down. I don't even know why or how. I was really shocked, they just became unconscious with them. I was going to go to them, when suddenly something hard slammed against me, more particular my chest. I went down instantly, as a majority of the bones in my chest snapped instantly. It was by a man who I find out later is called Kyron. Master Kyron."
"Master Kyron." Mira repeated again as she clenched her fist. She really wanted to meet this man and rip him apart.
"I couldn't move after that. And, Kyron had warned me if I did move an inch he would turn to Lisanna and Lucy and hurt them. And, he warned me all it took was a single touch and he could break their skulls. My chest at that was more than evidence that he was telling the truth. I decided to not move."
"What happened after that?" Lily asked.
"That's when it happened. He told me it was all apart of the plan."
"What plan?" Carla questioned.
Elfman gripped the prison bars tightly in his hands, "The plan. The real plan that Lacus Animarium has. They don't want Fairy Tail or Scarlet Destiny. They only want one person."
"Who?" Miyah asked.
"Lucy."
That one word caused shock to crash through every persons mind. Carla could feel it twist around her head, Lily couldn't move a muscle, Miyah was speechless, Mia eyes widened while Mira covered her mouth in shock.
"But why? Why Lucy?" Carla asked.
"I'll come to that," Elfman started "But, first at that time I also asked what the plan was. Kyron would not answer me. He just laughed and said it was not for me to know. Instead, he said that I was the hostage. A bait. The tool...needed so Lucy would be kicked out of the guild. He said that he could just kill me but that wouldn't work just in case they needed to use me as advantage if something went wrong with the plan. But he said that he couldn't just keep me alive and healthy here just in case things did go wrong or if I was to manage to escape. Kyron said they needed to keep me alive but make sure their was no way possible for me to escape from capture to ruin their plan."
Mia suddenly let out a sharp gasp of realisation.
"What is it?" Lily asked her.
"That's why they did it. That's why you're a time anomaly." Mia announced.
"I don't get it." Carla said with a frown on her face.
"She's right," Elfman started knowing Mia had got it "The only way for me to be kept alive but in no form to be able to escape was...to send me someplace elsewhere. Or rather some time elsewhere. He had a crystal, a rare kind that could only used once. With it, he sent me back...into the past. Forty years in the past to be exact." Elfman stated.
Mira eyes widened in shock. Her brother...was sent into the past?! She couldn't believe it. Is that why he looked old? None of it was really making sense to her at the moment. Carla and Lily eyes strained with the information, going past shock.
"I heard of that crystal," Mia suddenly spoke up "They are super rare. Like, I'm sure that there are only three in the world the magic council has all three in tight security. I'm surprised that Lacus Animarium had one."
Elfman nodded his head at her words before opening his mouth,
"In the past I was stuck. Kept alive yet unable to go to Fairy Tail for help. None of you would have been born back then...Not to mention the time flow. It would be dangerous of me to directly influence my own timeline...Kyron warned me of that. And, also of the fact that they would know if I tried to warn you or anyone before hand they would ditch the plan and attack Fairy Tail. I...I didn't do anything. I didn't contact Fairy Tail at all for the past forty years. I wanted too, I did, especially when I knew you were all there but...I couldn't. I was scared for everyone life in the guild"
Elfman could feel tears well up in his eyes
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything. I was determined to help you all at this time, when I knew the incident would have happened and Lucy would have been kicked out the guild but before I could I got captured by Lacus Animarium. The plan they had originally went wrong so they needed me as leverage."
"Elfman..." Mira whispered as she walked forwards.
She wrapped her hands around the prison bars, exactly above Elfman's humongous hands.
"I'm not mad at you. No one is nor is anyone disappointed. You did all you could. I'm just happy. I'm happy that you alive." Mira said encouragingly.
Everyone smiled at her words, knowing they were full of love and affection.
"Thank you Mira. I...I had a good life stuck in the past. When I first got there, a girl found me and patched the broken ribs in my chest. I actually married her later on and we actually have two children, man. I...I really missed you. And Lisanna. And Fairy Tail. I missed everyone."
Mirajane eyes widened at the fact that Elfman had a family. Then a smile formed on her face. She was sad and happy at the same time. Sad about the things that Elfman had gone through yet happy that he lived a fulfilling life even because of it.
"How did their plans get ruined?" Carla spoke up, feeling bad she had to break up the touching moment but knowing they had to get on to business.
"I don't know exactly but apparently Lacus Animarium didn't get to Lucy first. Scarlet Destiny did. So, they had to change their plans. They specifically went on a killing spree to get the attention of the magic council while leaving out Fairy Tail and Scarlet Destiny on purpose so both guilds would be sent here for the new plan to be set into motion."
"That's strange," Miyah mummered "How did we get to Lucy first? Like, I know Ren found her and that's it. But, anyway why do they want Lucy specifically? And, what's this new plan?!"
Elfman gritted his teeth,
"I don't know much of the new plan but I do know why they want Lucy."
Everyone leaned forward, ready to get in with this new piece of information. Mira tightened her grip on Elfman's hands, needing to know this.
"They need Lucy to open it. What exactly I have no idea. But I know for a fact that under no circumstance should it be opened and fall into the Lord hands." Elfman announced.
Carla frowned at that. What is it that needs to be opened? She really didn't understand it.
"How come Lucy is the only one who can open it?" Lily asked.
Elfman closed his eyes for a second before opening it,
"Because the one who created it in the first place made it so Lucy was the only one that can open it. It's not because of Lucy's power as a celestial mage but rather Lucy as a whole. She's the only one who can do it. However, certain conditions need to be met before Lucy can open it. These conditions are what Lacus Animairum had been trying to fulfil before their plan was ruined by Scarlet Destiny."
"Who was the one that created it?" Miyah asked, wondering why this person made it specifically that only Lucy could open it. Who the hell did something like that?
Elfman took a deep breath, knowing his answer was going to shock everyone present,
"Lucy's mother, Layla Heartfilia."
And done! Yep, I am leaving it at that! I know so cruel, aren't I?! How many of you were expecting that?!
So, this chapter basically, had JaredxSarah back story (What did you think of this?) a bit of RenxLucy and of course Lucy breaking Jared out of his stupor with a few chosen words. And, the ending with Elfman, what did you think about why he is old? And, also what did you think about the last line reveal? Sorry, that I didn't get to put the Lord in this chapter like I said I would (I lied, sorry!) But leave that for next chapter, I promise!
Anyway, again thank you for the over 1000 reviews and I hope to hear more of your opinions.
Till next time...See yh!
