"Why isn't she waking up?" Allison asked, observing Lucy's sleeping, pained face. Natsu took Lucy's hand, and squeezed. "I don't know. Has her stomach stopped bleeding yet?" Natsu moved out of the way, so Allison could gain access to her wound, and the ginger lifted the bandage a few inches. "No, not completely." The pinkette sighed, then let out a loud groan.
"Why aren't you waking up?" Natsu whispered, moving closer to his lover's face. He kissed her forehead, and then sat back in his seat that was next to her bed.
"Is mommy okay..?" Mizuki cautiously asked, peering around the corner of the door. "Yeah, mommy's okay. Don't worry Mizuki." Allison calmly said to the child she adored. Mizuki then took a few steps in the room, and looked sadly at the floor. "Mommy's hurt because of me.. Mommy's not waking up because of what I did.."
While Natsu was watching his daughter with a sorrowful eyes, he didn't notice the woman in the bed next to him waking up. "M-mommy's a..wake, now isn't sh...she..?"
"Lucy!" Natsu exclaimed, whipping his head to look at the groggy blond.
"Miss. Heartfilia!" Allison grinned happily.
"Mommy, Mommy!" Mizuki yelled, beginning to run to her mother.
Mizuki halted in her tracks once her mother began coughing violently. "Get Mizuki out of here!" Natsu yelled towards Allison once Lucy began coughing up large amounts of blood.
The last thing Mizuki witnessed before being forcefully pulled out of Lucy's bedroom was her mother's arm falling limply over the side of the bed, and blood trickling out of the side of her slightly parted lips.
Natsu felt a lump in his throat once Lucy fell unconscious again. Natsu shakily sat down, and slammed his fists on the arms of the chair. "Dammit. I don't have a choice anymore.. I'm sorry Lucy.."
Magic Council
As Ruko, Sophie, Ren, Kenshin, and Ai were standing before the Magic Council, each member paid attention to anything but the authority in front of them. Sophie kept glancing at Ruko, anxiously, waiting for the 'big plan' to spring into action.
"Come on already Ruko..." Sophie restlessly whispered.
"No speaking!" One of the Council members boomed, but no one paid attention.
Ruko cleared her throat, and then smirked. "You know, those frogs you got out there are very easy to manipulate." Her smirk turned into a scowl as she eyed the elders in front of her. "And I don't like to be spoken to like that. Don't speak down to those you are stronger than you." Sophie giggled mischievously.
The raven-haired mage then lifted her hands up to show that she didn't have any cuffs on. She quickly moved to remove Sophie's restraints, and the next second, guards were called.
"G-Guards! Guards! Get in here! They're escaping!"
By the time the guards burst through the doors, Sophie and Ren were already freed. "I got the guards. You take the high rollers up there."
Sophie swirled her index fingers round and round, and many black holes began popping around the guards. "He he!" Sophie's sadistic smile stretched from ear to ear, as she then had her magic absorb the enemies pouring through the door.
"Go job, Sophie! Make sure the hallway is cleared!" Ruko yelled over, finally unlocking Ai. "Yeah!"
"Morphing: Stone Wall!" On Ren's command, a wall of his desired material protruded from the ground directly in front of the members. Shrieks were heard from beyond the structure, but no one could be seen.
"Nice," Ruko began, "Now let's get the hell out of here before more guards come!"
"We better hurry!" Sophie called from the hallway, frantic, as she heard loud and fast-paced footsteps heading their way. The blond then ran back into the trial room, standing next to Ai.
"Kenshin, go!" Ruko commanded, and the now taller boy nodded his head. He sprinted ahead, and summoned his Kunai in both of his hands. Lowering his body for more spead, he then threw the two, aiming for the window ahead. Upon making contact, the glass shattered, allowing Kenshin to easily jump outside.
"Follow him!" Ruko exclaimed, sprinting in the direction the younger boy led. Ren, Ai, and Sophie followed suit immediately after the woman's order.
A few hours later
"Now we're wanted fugitives! Isn't that exciting?!" Sophie twirled about the sidewalk, smiling like a mad person. Maybe she did have a few screws loose.
"Don't be so fuckin' loud, baka!" Ruko yelled in a hushed tone, tripping Sophie, causing her to land on her face. Ai tried holding back giggles, while Ren and Ruko burst out laughing. "Th-that hurt, Ruko!" The blond yelled, standing up and rubbing her forehead. "You're the one who's running her mouth without a care in the world who hears!"
Sophie pouted and looked up. "Whatever. We're here." She went to go turn the doorknob, but Ruko caught her hand. "You really must be stupid! We can't just walk in! Lucy thinks we're arrested, or even dead!" Sophie slunk her arm back down to her side, and looked at Ruko sadly. "Y-you're right."
"Come on, let's go back to the apartment."
The group of five walked back to the designated gang hangout in the shadows. "I miss Lucy-san." Ai whispered, and Ren looked back at the brunette, and pat her head. "I know, I miss her too."
Walking into the cozy home, Ruko had a sense of nostalgia wash over her. She walked throughout the house as the rest of the individuals sat in the living room.
First, she walked into Lucy's old bedroom and smiled sadly. I remember you giving birth to Mizuki here, Lucy. I remember you flipping shit when you saw Kenshin and Ren for the first time. Ruko chuckled sadly at the memory.
Next, the raven-haired beauty walked into the bathroom, and sighed. I remember washing you after you passed out, and..and Ai healing you. You were so vulnerable and weak back then. Now look at how far you've come.
Then, she went into the kitchen, and grabbed herself a glass of water. Sipping it, she leaned against the cold counter. We promoted you to leader here. I still remember your uncertainty clearly.
Lastly, Ruko slowly ventured into the living room. She looked around, at every sad face in the place. Her gaze held a certain couch, and she smiled. I remember all of the times you fed and played with Mizuki on that couch. But now, it'll be gone.
Everything will be gone.
"You know what we have to do, don't you?" Ruko asked, quietly, setting her glass down on the coffee table. She received a nod from everyone, and a gasp from Sophie. "W-wait, not yet! Hang on!"
Shocked, Ruko watched as Sophie ran past her, towards Lucy's vacant bedroom. A few seconds later, she came back holding a yellow, tattered, teddy bear.
"You remember this don't you?" The blond asked, handing the teddy to Ruko. Tears pricked the sad mage's eyes, as she squeezed the teddy to her chest, nodding. "After Lucy moved, I found the teddy you gave Mizuki for her first birthday under Lucy's bed. I figured Mizuki had plenty of other stuffed animals...so I didn't bother mentioning it."
Ruko's lip quivered, as reality finally set in.
No more Lucy.
No more memories.
No more seeing Mizuki every day.
No more going on runs.
No more late night talks.
No more helping her with nightmares.
She's actually gone.
She's not coming back.
She's going back to Fairy Tail.
She left us.. For a better life.
"Come on, Ruko. We need to go." Sophie calmly stated, putting a hand on her shoulder. Tears ran down Ruko's cheeks, but she nodded her head and followed her friend outside. Ren stayed back, and it was obvious he was having a hard time with what he needed to do.
After completing his task inside, he stepped outside with the rest of his comrades.
"Do it." Sophie commanded, and Ren nodded. He brought out a matchbox from his pocket, lit a match, and stepped forward, towards the apartment. Ruko watched as Ren dropped the lit match onto the No One's Home doormat, and that slowly go up in flames.
The rest of their home slowly caught fire, then rapidly as the flame hit the more flammable items in the house. Ruko hiccuped and sniffled, and watched as the place she made the best memories in, crumble.
"E-enough gasoline..? Jesus.." Kenshin whispered to himself, but directed towards Ren.
Sophie brought Ruko's body into a tight hug, and the mage with the strong demeanor broke down into heavy sobs. She squeezed the yellow teddy tighter once she heard an explosion blow one of the windows open.
"We can't be seen here." Kenshin said, pulling on Sophie's shirt. The two females separated, and began walking in the opposite direction of Lucy's home.
"Don't worry, Ruko.. We'll see Lucy again."
"One day."
Lucy's Apartment
"You've got all that I need.. Lookin' at all or nothing, babe it's you and I." Natsu sang quietly to the sleeping blond. He ran his fingers through her silky hair, and sighed. If you were awake, you could make me food. I'm starvin'...
A scarlet-haired mage burst through Lucy's bedroom door, startling the Dragon Slayer. "Erza! Took you long enough to get here!" Natsu yelled, standing up. Gray trailed right behind Titania, and then stood next to her once they were further into the room.
"What the hell happened?!" Erza yelled, wide-eyed, walking next to Lucy. The blond's breath was erratic, and sweat began to form on her forehead. "I-I'm not even sure myself. Mizuki got upset that Ruko and everyone was being taken away.. And she.. This.. This light came out of Mizuki and impaled Lucy. She..only woke up once since it happened. That was three days ago. Her wound won't stop bleeding either.. It doesn't seem Mizuki hit any organs or anything..surprisingly.."
Gray looked upon Lucy sadly. "We left Lisanna and Happy at the guild, so they aren't here." Natsu grabbed Lucy's hand and held it in his. "Good. I don't want Happy seeing Luce like this."
There was a long pause, until Natsu broke the silence.
"I've decided."
Natsu looked at Erza and Gray with determination across his handsome features.
"I'm taking Lucy back to the guild tomorrow."
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