Lucy's tears had run out, and she felt numb. Nothing ached, nothing throbbed. She just stopped feeling, and all Lucy wanted to do was sleep. And so, she closed her eyes, hoping to leave this hell, just for a few minutes.
Akuzo put a bang behind his ear, and sighed. "I want you awake for this.. You'll be seeing your pathetic guild members again." Lucy's eyes shot open. "You have no idea how much pleasure I'm going to have, seeing the looks on their faces.." An almost moan-like sigh left Akuzo's lips, and he kicked Lucy roughly in the back, but she didn't cry out. "Hooh?" he whispered as his eyes narrowed. He was standing over her, and he watched as her face remained impassive.
Lucy was yanked by her hair so she was facing the opposite direction. Akuzo smiled as Lucy's bottom lip began to quiver, and she curled herself into a ball. "Now, let's begin." The girl allowed her eyes to close, once again.
The projection lacrima was quite large, and it stood up by itself. Akuzo positioned it so Lucy was easily seen, as well as himself. Grinning, he snapped his fingers. "Fairy Tail guild, Magnolia." Upon his request, the lacrima began shimmering. After about thirty seconds, the picture of the guild hall came into view. Once loud crashing noises could be heard, Lucy's eyes fluttered back open, but stopped halfway. It was like she was looking over the guild, like she was in one of the pillars high above.
Fatigue was pushing its way to the blonde's eyelids, but she fought to stay awake. She needed to hear Natsu. She needed the reason why she hasn't been found.
Was it because.. she was weak? Because she couldn't stand a chance against this man, to save her own ass? Or maybe the guild just didn't want someone as pathetic as her to return to their hall.
Covering up her naked body more, she heard a feminine yell. "G-Guys! Th..e ceiling.. It's.. It's Lucy!" The girl's voice trembled. It was Levy.
Lucy's heart broke in half as she witnessed a majority of her friends laugh and fight while she wasn't there, like her absence meant nothing.
Finally, pain reached her nerves and Lucy struggled to breathe. She made the assumption one of her broken ribs were poking into her lungs, which made her start taking deep, exaggerated breaths. The fact that anxiety was building up greater and greater in the pit of her stomach each second didn't relieve the matter.
As soon as it got quiet on the other end, the rapist began speaking. "Hello, you substandard guild. Where is Makarov?" He shoved his hands in his pockets and couldn't help the malign smile that transformed his lips. Now, he, got the guild's full attention.
Especially Natsu's.
Lucy could see him. He was sitting next to Lisanna, with Happy on his shoulder. She could tell their smiles were fading, by looking up at the projection. "Lu..cy.." the Dragon Slayer whispered. He was too shocked to even say anything at the moment. His irises began to shake, as he watched his girlfriend lay naked on a shitty mattress, struggling to breathe. "Lucy.. Lucy!" Natsu stood up, forcing his chair to skid backwards and fall. Happy flew away, and a bemused look came across his small face.
His shock immediately turned to rage, and vindictive flames licked his body. "You bastard! What have you done?!" The man slammed his fist to the table, which caused it to snap in half, and surrounding guild members backed away in fright. "N-Natsu.. Calm down!" Lisanna managed out. Natsu's teeth were grinding together, as the reality of the matter bared its teeth and sunk them deeply into his brain. He could do nothing against an image.
Akuzo laughing only angered the pinkette more, as well as the the rest of the guild. "I've been having fun with your wizard, here. She sure does know how to put up a fight." A pleased smile quirked Levy's mouth, for the idea of her best friend's fighting spirit still burned strong was confirmed.
Erza whispered to Gray, "Get Master immediately, tell him it is dire." Averting her attention back to the screen, Erza's voice came demanding and firm. "Why are you holding Lucy captive? I assure you, she has not wronged you." Akuzo scoffed and looked down at his captive. Her breathing was abnormal, and she continued to stare at the screen. "Ah, indeed. You know.. she's just a pretty face. Well, not so much now. But, she does have a smokin' body." He chuckled. "Salamander, I know I had fun fuckin' her. Did you?"
Natsu's heart felt as if it dropped to his stomach. His pupils shrunk, and time itself seemed to stop. Every guild member stared in shock, glancing at Natsu, then to Akuzo. "Y-you.. you.. what.." he whispered, malicious intent encircling his body like a second skin. "Yeah! We just got done, actually! It felt amazing." Akuzo seemed so proud of what he did, which angered Lucy. "S-stop.. Stop talking.. like that..." she breathed. Akuzo's eyes turned a light shade of red, and he whipped his head towards Lucy. Turning his body, he knelt down over her, and punched her in the jaw. "Stop it!" Natsu's flames exceeded their previous intensity, and he began growling. "Don't touch her," he snarled. Lucy's head had turned from the impact and blood flew from her lips.
"Natsu.. Please.." Lucy felt so feeble, as if she's spent decades trying to chase something that's always been out of reach. Was it hope? Was it the hope she's been searching for? She'd spent countless hours telling herself that she'd be saved, that roles would change: The dragon would save the princess from the prince this time around. Was she coming to the realization that she'd never be saved from this castle?
"Lucy..! Lucy! I've tried! I have!" Natsu eyes clouded with tears as he witnessed his girlfriend, his best friend in despair. "I couldn't.. I couldn't find you anywhere! Your scent, it's completely gone..!" he roared. Lucy's heart skipped a beat. He's.. He's tried.. But.. "Did you.. stop, Natsu? D-did you stop.. l-looking for me..?" Tears plastered her cheeks as she contended the crushing thought that weighed on her shoulders.
Did he really love her?
"Speak again you worthless piece of garbage and I'll put you through even more hell!" Akuzo yelled. Natsu's bangs shadowed his eyes, and he clenched his fists. Just then, Makarov came out into the guild with his hands behind his back, and the pinkette slowly distinguished his flames, feeling the overwhelming pressure radiating from the Master. "Well, well, well! Look who decided to show up, finally! It's been too long, Dreyar."
"Yes, Akuzo. However, it's quite unfortunate that we had to meet again on these circumstances."
Natsu, Erza, and Gray were staring in awe at their reunion. "Master! You never told us you've been friends with this man!" the scarlet-haired woman accused. All Makarov did was stick his hand out, silencing her.
"I see you have our Celestial mage. Hello, Lucy." Lucy poked her head up, and blood, mixed with saliva, spilled down her chin. "It's a shame you had to turn out like this, Akuzo. Quite disappointing, actually. It upsets me to see you have held one of my children captive." His voice was calm and collected. "Pity, I've felt for you. You should have died along with your guild."
Akuzo held a smug look. "You know nothing of what I've become. You yourself have raised a pitiful guild," he spat. "Your child will not be returning to you. If anything, she'll be sent back in a body bag. She is my toy," he said quickly. "I do with her what I please." Natsu was snarling quite loudly as his eyes narrowed. "Give her back, you coward! Why don't you come here and fight! I'll repay you, a million times over for what you've done!"
Sighing, the dark-haired man returned to Lucy and picked her up by her locks. She yelped, clutching onto his hands. "Lucy!" a majority of the population yelled. Makarov was becoming angered. Akuzo brought the female towards the screen, showing off her naked and tattered body. "Everyone.." she croaked. Lucy held back choked sobs; she felt completely defiled. "Now.." He punched her in the cheek, causing her to hack up much more blood than before. The guild members stared in fury and shock. "We shall be parting now." He punched her again, and she started choking on her own blood. Someone yelled from the crowd, "Stop! You're killing her!" Before the lacrima completely shut off, Natsu shouted, "Lucy, I'm so sorry!"
Fairy Tail
"Dammit.. Dammit!" the pinkette yelled as he dropped to his knees, leaning forward. Tears were pouring out of his eyes, dropping to the wooden floor. "She's gone! I.. I have no idea where she is! She's gone..!"
Levy was silently sobbing, with a hand over her mouth. Gajeel had been standing next to her the entire time, and even himself couldn't believe what just happened. He wrapped his arms around Levy, bringing her into his chest. She openly cried for her best friend, there. "Lucy.." Gajeel squeezed Levy tighter and she tugged onto his shirt, wailing louder.
Makarov was boiling over with pique. He turned back to his children, and took a deep breath before allowing his booming voice to sound. "Listen up! We will rescue Lucy! This family is not complete with one missing! Don't lose hope, just yet, you brats! Starting tomorrow, groups will disperse. Don't stop searching until you find her!" After giving his speech, he closed his eyes, and pointed his index finger to the ceiling.
The only person who didn't return the gesture, was Natsu. I'll kill him.. I'll kill him ten times over.. You won't get away with this, Akuzo.. Natsu held a determined and vengeful gleam in his eye as he stalked out the guild, starting his search early. "I'll find you, Lucy. And I'll bring you home to me. I won't stop this time.."
Akuzo's Hideout
Lucy fell to the floor, trying to hack up the remaining blood from her throat. "They won't find you, you know." Akuzo was looking happily down at the nude blonde. Lucy unintentionally smeared the blood from her lips across her cheek with the back of her hand. She allowed her hands to support her, and hung her head low. "D-don't you think.. I know that.. What makes y-you think they'll find me.. even now.. after all of this time!" She kept her voice grim, as the pain jolted throughout her chest like electricity. "Heh, yeah, you're right. I'm going to call in one of my friends to heal you. I don't like it when my toys are broken."
[-]
As Lucy lie motionless against the floor, she didn't even realize Akuzo left and came back, only to bring her supplies. He set a pillow next to her head, a blanket on top of her nakedness, and a cup of water next to her hand. "Here. You need this." Akuzo grabbed the cup of water, and brought it to Lucy's cracked and bloody lips. He tipped it, and Lucy sipped. It was hard for her to swallow, and she coughed most of it up. "Yeah, you'll be better tomorrow." Akuzo set the cup back down, and gripped Lucy's wrist. Her mind was swimming. "You still need to be contained.." he mused. "Manipulate Thee, Adjust! Restraint!"
On his command, Lucy's wrists and knees tightened, rendering them useless. She didn't care, though. She just wanted to sleep. Akuzo lifted up her head, and slid the pillow beneath it. Lucy's eyes then fluttered closed. Even though she was on the cold, hard ground, it was the most comfortable she's felt in weeks.
The next day
"Wake up already!" Akuzo was lightly kicking Lucy's legs to wake her up. Mumbling something incoherent, her eyes opened, only to be stung by the morning light shining through the small window. "Will you.. stop.." Lucy felt like a thousand needles were sticking into her sides, and her arm had fallen asleep. "Shut the fuck up. The medic is here, so. Sit up. I absorbed my powers back a few hours ago."
Lucy tried to get up, but she couldn't manage without falling back down and sending pain throughout her rib cage. "I c-can't..!" Her eyes were squeezed together, and Akuzo sighed. "Fine, whatever. Aimi! Come down here, she's awake!"
He took a few steps back from Lucy, and watched as Aimi walked down the stairs. "So this is the one, eh? Akuzo, you bastard. You're horrible." Lucy heard a feminine voice from a few feet away. F-female..?! Aimi made her way to Lucy, and knelt down in front of her. "My name's Aimi. I'm very sorry for the position you are in. I'm here to heal you, okay?" Said woman gave the blonde a sympathetic smile, and Lucy slowly nodded in recognition. Aimi had short, choppy, light purple hair, and bright hazel eyes. She wore black jeans, and a long, white button up shirt.
Aimi's hands hovered over Lucy's body, and they began to glow the color of her hair. "Artificial Life.. Restore!" And just like that, Lucy's bones began mending themselves, and her cuts healed. Her bruises were slowly turning purple to yellow, and her breathing steadied. Lucy felt better, but some parts of her body still throbbed. "T-thank you.. so much!"
The purple-haired woman still felt terrible because she wasn't allowed to help this girl, at all, or else her own life would be on the line. She herself had two children and a husband to return home to. Aimi knew Akuzo was a manipulative, twisted man, but she didn't think he could ever stoop this low. What had she done to deserve this? Probably nothing―it was his nature, preying on the weak, seeking joy from others in anguish.
After returning her hands, Aimi leaned over and gave Lucy a long hug. During that hug, she whispered in Lucy's ear, "I know you're pregnant, and I hope it's not his.. Please, don't give up. Fight."Releasing Lucy, the healer stood up, leaving Lucy speechless. Her eyes were shaking, and her lips were slightly separated.
"Thank you, Aimi. Now, you may take your leave. Remember, speak a word of this and you know what will happen." Akuzo gave a quick flash of his red eyes, and smiled mischievously at her. Gulping, the woman nodded her head quickly and rushed towards the stairs. Akuzo switched his gaze to Lucy, while Lucy kept her pleading eyes glued to Aimi. Before hurrying up the staircase, she scrunched her eyebrows, and mouthed I'm so sorry.
Now that her savior was completely gone, Lucy's fear returned. He kicked Lucy in the thigh with the tip of his black boots, and Lucy cried out, clutching it. "Lucy, my good slut, Lucy. You surely know you're pregnant, as do I. I'm assuming that pink-haired scum is the father, no?" Akuzo put his hands behind his back, and commenced stalking around her slowly.
"I also have predicted your child won't inherit his powers.. unless he directly teaches it to him, or her. But, my other hypothesis is your child will inherit a special form of yours. As you may or may not know, that type grants said wizard to temporarily borrow a star's power. It's similar to the power of your constellations, yet it's not. An individual star's power is ten times greater, depending which star, of course."
Lucy was completely confused; she's never heard or read about this.
"W-what are you talking about..?" He stopped once he got to the front of Lucy again, and frowned. "Very much so. I wouldn't be telling you this if it wasn't true, of course. Chances are, you don't know about the destruction this power is capable of. Furthermore, leaving it in a child's hand is foolish. Anyone would be able to tell that."
Grinning, Akuzo continued. "I'm not going to allow something like that to run free in this world. Once you've become ready to deliver that demon you have growing inside of you, I will murder it before your eyes, and then you, shortly after."