I should be studying, but instead I'm writing. I'm realllly procrastinatin'. So you will not hear from me until after next week. Sorry, but I got an exam I CANNOT fail. I MUST pass.
Anyhow, thank you all for your kind reviews and thoughts! Especially my anonymous reviewers that I can't respond to! Thank you so much for all the adds/faves. You are all freakin' wonderful. Made my week! As always, please give me some encouragement. It's my motivation :) I heart everyone one of my readers! ^-^ I'm truly sorry about not responding to your reviews, but I'll try to get back to you later, at least!
PS: Who loved Wendy in the last manga chapter? Um, damn that was slightly awesome. Now I feel the need to have her do something kick ass in my story!
Disclaimer: don't own FT, do own my OC's. Shamwow!
~OoOoO~
Lucy fell to her knees, her arms outstretched in front of her. Pain jolted through her body as the rugged ground tore the already tender skin on her shins and knees. The wind whistled against her teeth the air as the air was knocked from her lungs. Her stomach contracted angrily from the impact, forcing her to retch the nothingness that was inside of it.
Lucy knew that purely because she had already lost her stomach contents earlier. Three times, to be exact. Four now, technically.
"Did I hurt you? I'm sorry, Lucy..." came the soft, yet frantic, apology as footsteps crackled on the stony, dry earth.
Lucy put up a hand to stop the woman from coming any closer as her other arm wiped at her mouth, "No...no...I'm f-fine."
The truth was: she wasn't. Lucy was far from fine. She looked up at her friend through blurry eyes, the tears remaining from the forceful heaves her body had produced. All she could see through the swirling fuzziness was Erza's feet. One booted foot; the other in the cast Porlyusica had made. Dirty toes protruded from their plastered covering.
Dammit! Lucy silently hissed at herself in frustration, She's handicapped and you still can't land a blow! Weak! Pathetic! Didn't you want to become stronger, stupid girl?
"I'm not used to having to fight, er..." Erza began, quickly trailing off, leaving the end of her sentence hanging heavily in the air. It weighed Lucy down as its meaning sank in.
"I know," Lucy groaned through gritted teeth. ...not used to having to take it easy...to fight such a weak opponent. Embarrassing!
Erza would never use those words, but Lucy knew all too well how she looked in others' eyes. She was the weak one. The dependent guild member. She needed to be protected, always. The thoughts gave Lucy the motivation she needed. She pushed herself to her feet, wobbling as she did so. Her body was both aching and stiff, as if she had aged a hundred years. Her stomach threatened to empty again, but Lucy swallowed against the instinctive urge. Her chest heaved with exhaustion as she looked at Erza—who was standing only a few yards from her. The ex-quipping mage was wearing her usual armor. Not once had she attempted to change her protective clothing during her fight with Lucy. The blonde knew that it was because their battle, thus far, hadn't warranted the need for stronger armor. There was no reason for Erza to build upon her defenses, and both women knew that. Lucy hadn't been able to land one finger on Erza. Not even one gentle brush of skin on metal.
It's been three days! Lucy thought, her fingertips trailing over her swollen right eye. Erza had done that two days ago. It was an accident, of course—a repercussion of her training, no doubt. Lucy knew that accidents happened, especially during such instances, and this was the only way she could become stronger. Her face was the least of her worries at the moment. Even after three days, all Lucy had to show was a black eye and a split lip. And, probably a few cracked ribs as well. She winced as she leaned down to pick up her whip, squeezing the leather handle against her palm as she furiously thought of what to do next.
"Look at me," Erza murmured, "I'm your opponent; your eyes should only be on me."
"Yes," Lucy nodded, understanding Erza's tutelage.
It had been this way for three days: Erza offers advice, Lucy tries to follow it. So far, Lucy was having no success, and that concept was causing her to grow increasingly frustrated. The more frustrated she was, the sloppier she became in her defenses. And that's how she got a black eye and split lip. It wasn't that Lucy expected to get better overnight. No, she knew that it took years to gain any appreciable level of mastery, but she was at least hoping she could accomplish something from their sparring. She wanted to fend for herself for once, without the hovering of her friends. She was tired of being a burden, so even the tiniest inkling of progress would brighten her world. Lucy had been so busy training with Erza that she hadn't even realized that Natsu had been gone two days longer than he had promised. Of course she thought about it—mostly at the end of the night, when her aching body collapsed into her bed. But, she really didn't have time to dwell on it.
"You won't improve overnight, Lucy, just remember that," Erza replied cautiously, her eyes filled with understanding and familiarity.
"I'm not expecting to," Lucy admitted, suddenly afraid that Erza could read her mind, "I know that it takes years to be even a half-decent fighter. I just want to be able to defend myself without relying on everyone else."
"I see," Erza admitted, fully comprehending Lucy's desire.
She, too, had once wanted that power so much that she was willing to die for it. That same desire was what had unleashed her magical ability to begin with, years ago at the tower. She had hoped that same sort of tragedy wouldn't be needed to help Lucy accomplish her goals, though. Lucy was not a skilled combat mage; she was a Stellar Spirit Mage who relied on her spirits to aid her. It wasn't necessarily a weaker magic, just a different one. Both Natsu and Gray, for example, were skilled in physical combat as well as their respective elemental magics. Erza was only skilled in fighting, using her armor the same way Lucy used her spirits. It wasn't unusual for mages to excel in more than one area, but Erza wasn't so sure that Lucy was meant to do so...not like this, at least.
"Even the smallest of skills can be built upon," Erza informed her friend, nodding at Lucy's whip. Her eyes fell to the blonde's hips, where the other two weapons were secured.
I just don't want to feel so weak! Lucy inwardly screamed, afraid to share her thoughts with Erza. Embarrassed to, actually. She slid her right foot away from her, widening her stance as she prepared for another round.
"Ready?" Erza asked, recognizing the movement.
"Ready," Lucy answered, nodding as she pushed her hair from he face.
Erza lifted her sword with her good arm, securing the crutch under the other arm. She was about to make her move, as was usual. It had been like this all morning: Erza makes the move, Lucy defends herself against the attack. But, this time, Lucy took initiative.
"Open the gate to the Seer!" Lucy yelled, her fingers wrapped around the intended key.
She jumped to the side, dodging a harsh blow from Erza as the woman skidded past on one leg, careful to keep the injured on off the ground. She used the crutch for support, and Lucy was quite surprised at how agile the ex-quipping mage could be, despite her handicap. There was nothing Erza couldn't do, Lucy supposed. Jealousy lashed at her insides, but the blonde forced it down.
"Nice dodge! Your speed is improving!" Erza triumphantly yelled out, her voice filled with an almost motherly pride.
"You called, Lucy?" Veleda murmured from behind her. Her eyes flickered over the two women, quickly comprehending the situation as her gaze trailed over Lucy's face, "I'm of some need, I see."
"Could you?" Lucy asked, her face flushing as Erza prepared to strike a second time. She would have no mercy, even in the presence of spirits. Battle would have no mercy, so neither would Titania. It was for Lucy's own good.
"Of course," the woman smiled, her fingertips securing themselves at Lucy's temples.
A bright white flash blinded Lucy as the visions flooded her mind. Her body began to quickly respond, as if she were regaining some long lost memories. It was the same as the last time, but not as surprising...not as breath-taking. She blinked, quickly realizing that the experience was over. Much shorter.
"That was fast this time!" Lucy breathed, instinctively ducking away from Erza's blow.
She reveled in how her body responded to Veleda's powers as she leaped aside. The spirit followed suit, her moves purposeful despite her blindness. Lucy had to remind herself that the seer had lived like this her entire life, so being blind was not a handicap for her. It was normal.
"Each time you make the same request, it gets quicker for both of us, it seems," Veleda shared, as if confirming her suspicions. She cocked her head, an ear to the wind, "She's turning, be prepared."
"Why is that?" Lucy responded to the first part of the Veleda's comment, her newfound agility a welcomed addition.
She leaped into the air as Erza slid into her. The red-head swore under her breath, a smile firmly planted on her face as Lucy kept her attention on Veleda. The spirit had been smart enough to distance herself even more. Erza played with the idea of attacking Veleda; her reasons multiple: to see how Lucy would respond, knowing her protectiveness with her spirits and to see the extent of Veleda's abilities. This way, Erza could also gauge how Lucy would react...
"I'm not sure, myself. Perhaps because you already remember it. It's like reading a book for a second time, some of it sticks."
"But, then, wouldn't I be able to use it without your help? I don't feel like I remember it," Lucy trilled as she quickly thought of a plan of attack.
"As I said, I'm not sure," came the spirit's smooth voice as she backed away from the two women. Erza rose with the support of her crutch, looking slightly impressed.
Lucy quickly took advantage of the hesitation, "Gemini!"
The small spirits quickly appeared, waddling in front of her as their high-pitched voices greeted her together, "Lucy!"
Lucy smiled, glancing behind her, "I need your help, you two! An extra me, please."
"Anything for Lucy," they said in unison, hands quickly brushing Lucy's legs.
With a plopping sound, two Lucys stood before Erza. The armored mage stood with her arms on her hips, "Interesting. But, in battle, you won't always have the time for this."
"I'm not in battle at the moment," one Lucy answered, somewhat haughty, "And each situation is different, didn't you say that to me yesterday?"
Erza smirked her amusement, unsheathing her sword. "I suppose you are finally getting serious."
Both Lucys smiled, each holding a whip in hand. Erza's eyes took notice of which whip was held by whom, deciding to go for the Lucy on the left.
"Here I come!" she challenged, her crutch spinning in her hand as she balanced on one leg.
"Ready!" the two blondes yelled together, crouching in preparation for Erza's strike.
They split apart so that Erza could only attack one at a time. Lucy grinned as Erza used her crutch as a vault to launch herself toward Gemi and Mini. Lucy quickly used her whip to catch Erza's crutch, pulling on it hard. Erza's eyes widened in mid-air as she realized what was happening.
"Clever," the red-head called out, "But not enough."
Erza quickly pulled her sword sheath free, encasing her sword and using it as a weight bearing instrument. She brought it down, using it for balance as she landed on her good foot. Her broken ankle was brought down next, lightly resting on the ground. Lucy had expected such quick thinking on Erza's part, so the latter's craftiness came as no surprise. What Erza wasn't prepared for was that Gemi and Mini could read Lucy's thoughts, so their clone was aware of Lucy's intentions. In a blink of an eye, the Fleuve des Etoiles wrapped around Erza's upper arm, the one holding her makeshift crutch. Erza's eyes showed her surprise at the bold move.
"Lucy!" came the spirits' high-pitched voices as the whip was thrown through the air toward the blonde mage.
Lucy reached out to catch the whip as Gemi and Mini appeared before Erza, having reached the maximum duration of their transformation.
"Thanks, you two!" Lucy smiled, "Close the gate!"
Erza wasted no time, jerking her arm to pull Lucy toward her. Lucy used the whip's power to stretch, preventing herself from being tugged off balance, as Erza had planned. The excess draped on the ground around Erza's feet. For the third time, the red-head's eyes widened in shock.
"Gotcha!" Lucy grinned, obviously excited that she at least had done something to take Erza by surprise.
Erza took advantage of Lucy's confidence, closing the gap between them. Lucy lithely dodged the sheathed sword as the heavy object was swung at her face.
"Hey!" Lucy whined, upset that Erza made a direct attack for her face. Her face!
"There are no exceptions in battle, Lucy!" Erza replied grimly, as Lucy easily sidestepped another blow.
Lucy continued to weave around Erza's blows, knowing full well that it was Veleda's powers that had helped her so instinctively dodge the well-placed attacks. It was as if the sound of Erza's movements, combined with some unknown familiarity, led her. Lucy was beginning to pant, the sweat soaking her shirt. She eyed the whip as it circled Erza's feet, laying loosely on the ground; Lucy had almost completed what she intended. Two more blows dodged...
On the final blow, Lucy jumped high into the air, pulling the whip skyward with her. Fleuve des Etoiles rose up, as Lucy willed it to contract, pulling the taut material so that it restrained Erza's arms against her torso, leaving the ex-quipping mage to maintain her balance so that she didn't fall.
"YES!" Lucy whistled, throwing a fist high into the air in excitement.
"Not bad," Erza admitted, glancing over her restraints as they encircled the perimeter of her armored arms and chest. Her sword dangled in the hand of her restrained arm.
"Finally! I finally did something!" Lucy jumped, her excitement barely contained.
"Did you?" Veleda asked, as Lucy stopped her premature celebration.
Erza quickly ex-quipped the bulky armor, instead opting for her thinner, Flight Armor. Lucy tried to react by swiftly making up for the slack of the whip, but Erza was too fast, nimbly ducking under it. She was quickly out of Lucy's sight, and the blonde knew it was a bad omen. Her feeling was confirmed when she felt the sharp point of Erza's sword digging in between her shoulder blades.
"Hi, Lucy," came Erza's voice from behind the spirit mage.
Lucy quickly released Veleda, hoping to save herself from even more embarrassment. She could feel her body's shock at the ripping away of its instinctive knowledge. Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she slowly looked behind her. Erza stood there, smiling both her triumph and amusement. Her former armor had been restored.
Dammit! Lucy's disappointment thundered in her head, So...close!
The red-haired mage raised an eyebrow, obviously enjoying any victory, big or small, "You were saying?"
~OoOoO~
"Here, hold this over your eye," Mirajane handed Lucy an icepack, her eyes wandering over Lucy's face, "Oh, Erza, why couldn't you take it easy on her?"
"Because I asked her not to," Lucy admitted, dabbing at her swollen lid with the cold pack.
"But...why? You have too beautiful of a face to be bruised, Lucy!"
Mirajane looked at Lucy, pity in her eyes. It was a look that Lucy had come to hate. The 'pity Lucy' look, or so she called it. It was the look that screamed that Lucy was weak—that she couldn't protect herself. She was tired of it, and this was an example of exactly why Lucy had asked Erza to not take it easy on her. Despite her request, Lucy somehow had a feeling that Erza had taken it easy on her. Lucy was torn between appreciating Erza's gesture and despising it.
"Thanks," Lucy tried her best to smile only to tear her lip open again.
She winced at the pain, quickly shifting her ice pack to cover her lower lip so that Mirajane wouldn't give her those pitying stares any more. She could taste the warm metallic blood with the tip of her tongue. Lucy had wanted Erza's help, and she knew that injury was inherent upon that request. She let her mind wander back to that afternoon...
After using her spirits, she hadn't managed to trap Erza again, but she had managed to land a blow on the woman—a small triumph on Lucy's part. She smiled thinking about it, though she had immediately felt guilty at hitting one of her friends. Erza had taken Lucy's keys away from her during one of the times she had been close enough to do so. She ripped the ring from Lucy's belt-loop, tearing it from the force. She dangled the keys in front of her, asking Lucy what she would do for her keys. Despite knowing Erza would never endanger her prized possessions, a deep protective anger had suddenly overcome her. She didn't know if it was from her earlier frustrations or perhaps from what she had learned from Erza's trainings, but Lucy had somehow managed to connect with Erza. Granted, it was more of a tackle as she clawed for her keys, but it was something. Erza was both strong and instinctive in her fighting, but it seemed that even she didn't know how to handle a woman leaping on her. Despite that, Lucy had successfully regained her property, though she had managed to cause Erza a great deal of pain. The ex-quipping mage had instinctively used her injured ankle to prevent the fall, shifting her weight onto the unstable joint. Lucy immediately felt guilty at her behavior, though Erza had smiled like a proud parent, even through the pain...
Lucy was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard the main door open, nor did she notice the commotion stirring around her. She closed her eyes, hoping that her throbbing headache would soon disappear. Maybe putting something into her stomach would help, as she hadn't eaten all day. What she had eaten was lost somewhere in an open clearing in the forest.
"Mirajane?"
Only when the pale-haired mage did not respond, did Lucy open her eyes. She noticed that the doors to the hall were open, and some people were gathering near the entrance. Something caught her eye. Pink hair!
Natsu!
Lucy felt her heart begin to race in her chest. Something cold on her leg told her that she had dropped her icepack on her lap. The tiny crowd began to part, and Lucy could see Wendy emerging through it, Makarov at her side. Charle followed behind, shaking her head as she spoke to Happy.
"Wendy!" Lucy smiled, realizing what the dragon slayer's return meant for Adie, not that she wasn't happy to see her friend for other reasons as well.
Lucy saw Natsu appear a few seconds later, and she watched his eyes scan the room. He paid no attention to the people talking to him as he searched for...something. Lucy quickly spun around on her bar stool, suddenly bashful at how she must look. She was still dirty from earlier, and her eye was swollen—though much better than it had been the day before. She touched her lip, feeling the crusted blood.
Oh no! He can't see me like this! Lucy's mind raced. Perhaps I can reach the kitchen door before he sees me!
"Luce?" came the deep, familiar voice.
Lucy cringed in her seat, her heartbeat deafening in her ears. "Y-Yes?"
"I'm back," he responded, sounding slightly concerned after a few moments of awkward silence.
Lucy pretended to scan over the menu in front of her, "Oh, hi! Welcome back! Er, how was your mission?"
"Uh, why aren't you looking at me?" Natsu asked, his voice flecked with hurt.
Lucy felt her heart wrench at his words. She sucked in a deep breath as she summoned the courage to look at him. She slowly turned to face her friend.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
"Hi," she smiled, her voice weak. Her damned lip cracked again, "Welcome home."
Natsu's eyes grew round as he said nothing. Dark irises wandered frantically over her face. He quickly reached up with a hand to pull her face toward him as he stepped closer. She could hear Mirajane behind her, stocking the glasses while pretending not to notice.
"Who the hell did this to you? Who hurt you?" his voice was a low growl as his eyes flashed their anger.
"I...uh..." Lucy began to babble, her legs becoming weak at his touch. Why did he have this sudden effect on her?
His eyes became wild as he scanned her for other injuries. "Lucy! Tell me who did this!"
Lucy jumped at the authoritative tone of his voice. It was more of a command than a request. She could tell that he was furious that someone had hurt her...
"...itwasErzabutIhadaskedherto..." Lucy replied, her voice faint.
"That's not good!" Happy chirped from beside her as he pointed a blue paw at her face, "Your face, I mean."
"Shut up, cat!" Lucy sighed. She could already tell that this would soon get out of hand...
"Are you serious? Erza? Our Erza?" Natsu asked, confusion on his face. Lucy almost wanted to bask in the sudden concern he was showing her. It was touching, making her strenuous day seem that much better.
"Well, I asked her to fight with me, so I could become stronger. You know, practice! She didn't mean to—" Lucy began to explain, finally regaining some control of her racing heart and thoughts.
She had a sudden urge to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him, but she wasn't sure how he would respond. She wasn't even sure what they were at the moment. It was something she had wanted to address with him after he returned, but now was not the time.
"ERZA!" Natsu screamed, suddenly turning on heel and storming away from Lucy.
Lucy blinked a few times, her eyes on Natsu as he clenched his fists, smoking emanating from him as he stomped through the hall, his head turning in every direction as he scanned the crowd. The entrance doors were shoved off their hinges as Natsu pushed his way out of the building, screaming Erza's name the entire time.
"Uh oh," she squeaked, suddenly realizing that she had just potentially created a battle between the childhood friends.
"Lucy! What happened to your face?" came the surprised girl's voice.
Lucy looked to her left, realizing that Wendy and Charle were standing next to her.
"That had to hurt," Charle remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"Aye!" Happy agreed, nodding.
"I..uh...I was training with Erza," Lucy told the dragon slayer, "And this was just an accident."
Wendy said nothing as she looked over the small laceration and swollen orbit. When she was done scrutinizing Lucy's injuries, she smiled, "It's nothing that I can't heal."
"Thanks, Wendy," Lucy replied, toying with turning down Wendy's request. She sort of enjoyed her battle bruises; it gave her a sense of accomplishment.
"Don't mention it, Lucy! Makarov tells me that Erza has an ankle injury as well?" her eyes darted toward the door Natsu had just destroyed.
"Uh..yeah, Porlyusica had put a cast on it, but it was a nasty break!" she followed Wendy's gaze.
"And there's someone else I need to heal?" Wendy continued, her voice unsure of this sudden news, "A friend of yours, who's currently at this...Porlyusica's?"
"Yes, Adie...well, Adassandra, to those who don't know her," Lucy quickly began to explain. "She was bitten by an Amarok, which is a wolf-creature thingy. We hadn't known they had some sort of poison in their bite, or whatever, but she's hurt pretty badly. These lines..."
Lucy continued her explanation, neglecting to realize that Wendy had long ago become lost. When she finished, Wendy just smiled, blinking rapidly, "Oh yes, I'd be happy to help your friend!"
"Thanks," Lucy smiled her gratitude, her eyes going back to the front entrance of the hall, "Um, Wendy?"
"Huh?" Wendy asked, tugging at her shirt.
"I think," Lucy shook her head, knowing full well that a furious Natsu still stood no chance against even an injured Erza, "that you'll have more than just me, Erza, and Adie to heal before we leave."
~OoOoO~
Lucy stood in Porlyusica's tiny cottage, awaiting the few others that were on their way. Her fingers traced over her lip, no longer swollen or split, thanks to Wendy. The dragon slayer had been busy since she returned, healing both Lucy and Erza. She also had to heal a few broken ribs—the result of Erza's crutch meeting Natsu's ribs...
Makarov had lingered around the bar as Lucy explained the story to Wendy, in much less detail than before. She had tried to get minute hints out of the dragon slayer on where she and Natsu had been, but the girl had politely declined sharing that information, sending nervous glances toward Makarov.
"All in good time," Makarov had smiled, his pipe tucked between his teeth, "The fewer who know, the better."
Lucy looked over at Adie, who was still unconscious. Levy's seal encircled her upper limb, staving off whatever unseen force was currently harming the demi-spirit. Lucy was not entirely sure as to what effects an Amarok bite had on a human; she only hoped that Wendy's skill could heal it. Lucy had quietly brought Morpheus along for the event, hoping that his presence would calm her. Makarov was currently in deep discussion with Porlyusica, and Wendy fidgeted nervously as she looked around the healer's abode.
"Hiya Lu-chan!" Levy waved as she stepped into the cottage.
"Levy," Lucy nodded as Levy's eyes flickered over the large cat at Lucy's side, "This is Morpheus."
"Er, hi!" Levy smiled before glancing at Adie's resting form. "She's still alright?"
"Yeah, I guess," Lucy replied, squinting at the dark seal that was embedded in the creamy white skin. "Uh, Levy...what is that, exactly?"
"The tattoo? It's temporary," Levy tapped her chin. "A seal I had found in an old book. I was up all night reading about ways to seal off dark magic. This was all I could find. There's not much literature on it, to be honest. That was surprising to me."
"Light Seal," Morpheus added as his golden eyes examined the incoherent writing swooping over Adie's shoulder.
"Exactly! You know it?" Levy asked, her gaze hopeful.
"I know of it," Morpheus admitted, "But not much else. It's supposed to contain the opposing force in whatever vessel it is in...or on, apparently."
"Right, that's what I thought, too," Levy replied, her shoulders slumping in disappointment, "I'm not sure why it's so difficult to find any information on these types of things. The only information I could find on Amarok were in old myths, like they don't really exist..."
"They don't," Morpheus replied bluntly, quickly explaining himself when both women stared at him expectantly, "They aren't part of this world...this realm..so if they can't be found, then-"
"They are myths," Lucy replied softly, understanding his meaning.
"Which is making my job much more difficult," Levy replied, chewing on her lower lip. "This was the best I could do, Lucy, I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Lucy lifted her head, quickly realizing what Levy was inferring. "Oh, no! You've done more than enough. I only wish I could repay your kindness."
"You could," Levy smiled devilishly.
Lucy understood the faint childish gleam in her eyes, "Fine. The next chapter is on my desk, I'll give it to you when we return!"
"Yessss!" Levy jumped up and down in excitement. Morpheus raised a brow at the odd display, but Lucy didn't offer an explanation. She didn't need to, as he could most likely read her thoughts.
"So, you've contained the toxin from her wound," Morpheus returned his gaze to Adie.
"I'm not sure what I contained, but it only seemed to affect that arm and area of puncture. It seems as if it takes time, slowly making its way through the blood. It only appears to have affected her right arm and the muscles on this side," Levy indicated with her forefinger, swooping over the skin between the wound and Adie's neck—the area between the wound and seal.
"So, you stopped it?" Lucy asked hopefully.
"Well, we aren't sure. The seal only lasts for a few days, needing to be replaced after then," Levy glanced away.
"She can't stop it," Morpheus added, his voice gruff, "she can only slow it down."
Lucy felt her stomach flop, realizing what Levy hadn't willingly shared with her, "Well, then, it's a good thing Wendy is back, right?"
She forced a smile onto her face as Wendy and Makarov slowly approached. Porlyusica stood at the head of the bed, her smile grim as she gingerly lifted the wound dressings. She returned the gauze over the wound, not allowing anyone else to get a glimpse of the injury. Lucy silently wondered what the healer was thinking. She glanced at Morpheus, who was looking ahead, saying nothing.
"Well?" she whispered, poking him with her elbow.
"Well what?" he snapped back, already aware of what she wanted to ask.
"What is it?"
"Sorry, I'm late!" Natsu replied as he slid to a halt in the entry corridor. Morpheus' mouth clamped shut as he silently thanked the dragon slayer for his interruption.
Natsu looked around, "What's everyone waitin' for?"
"Right!" Wendy replied sternly, looking at Makarov and Porlyusica. "Ready, everyone?"
"You can do it, Wendy!" Lucy told the young girl as she took a step away from the bed.
Wendy said nothing, the air around her glowing white as she began to use her magic. In seconds, the glowing aura had encompassed Adie, pulsating over her skin as it reflected off of everyone's faces. The room was deathly silent at Wendy used her dragon slayer magic on the demi-spirit.
"That's it," Wendy whispered as the haziness slowly dissipated from Adie's skin, minutes later.
"No more?" Lucy asked, surprised at how quickly her magic had worked.
"What did you expect? Fireworks?" Morpheus replied, rolling his eyes.
"I don't know!" Lucy shot back, obviously annoyed. She swallowed her following words when she saw Morpheus's head drop and his eyes shut as Porlyusica lifted the bandage for a second time.
"W-What is it?" Lucy asked, her voice warbling.
Porlyusica looked at Makarov, her eyes betraying nothing to the others. Wendy dropped her head, understanding the silent communication, "It...didn't work."
"What?" Lucy's head snapped to her right. "What do you mean it didn't work?"
She was answered, not by words, but by Porlyusica pulling the bandage off of Adie's wound. The injury was just as it had been before, in the Great Hall. It was open and turning black—even more so than before. Though, the black looked less dead and more...something else...
"Nononono," Lucy whimpered, backing away from the bed. She bumped into something hard, ignoring it as she clamped her hand over her mouth.
"I-I'm sorry, L-Lucy," Wendy replied softly, tears filling her eyes as she stared at the woman she had never spoken to.
"Isn't there anything else we can do?" Lucy looked around, frantically. No one said anything.
"Well, isn't there!" Lucy snapped, her voice much louder this time. Her eyes returned to Adie, the woman she had become much closer to these past few months.
"I'm sorry, my girl," Makarov replied, disappointment etched in his features, "Wendy tried her best."
The dragon slayer said nothing, dropping her head in both defeat and disappointment. Lucy felt Natsu place a caring hand on her shoulder. She was too shocked to say anything.
"I-I can't explain what I see," Wendy finally spoke, tears streaking her cheeks, "It's as if whatever it is that's affecting her is slowly taking over her body, one part at a time."
"Because it is," Morpheus interrupted as all eyes darted to him. He turned to look at Lucy, "I had hoped that this girl could help, despite what my gut was telling me. But I was wrong."
"You knew?" Lucy was incredulous. Why hadn't he told her?
"No, but I am aware that whatever creatures that Lilith can summon have devastating effects on humans. Adie would know more than I do. Lilith even more than that," Morpheus attempted to explain, his golden eyes slowly meeting everyone's expectant gaze.
"Any human would have died from this wound," he pointed a clawed digit toward Adie's injury.
Lucy understood his meaning, her spirit blood saved her. Had she been a normal, fragile human, she would have deteriorated immediately. It was the one time Adie could take pride in her non-human heritage, though she was not awake to do so.
"So...what will happen?" Natsu asked from behind Lucy.
"That I really don't know. I don't think an Amarok attack on a half-spirit has ever been documented," Morpheus admitted, as a few gasps were heard in the room. Lucy hadn't shared that part of Adie's story with anyone aside from Natsu.
"So...you're saying she may be able to live with this?" Natsu continued, glancing over Lucy's shoulder at Morpheus.
"I don't know the answer to that, either."
"What good are you?" Natsu grumbled under his breath.
"Good enough to know what you're thinking, boy!" Morpheus shot back, his eyes narrowing with his challenge.
Lucy could hear Natsu's mouth snap shut behind her. She watched the spirit reach out and lay a paw on Wendy's arm, "Girl...you did your best, but even your magic can't heal the darkness of another world. You are valiant, and your effort is appreciated by all. Thank you."
Lucy nearly did a double take at the eloquence of Morpheus's words. She had never heard him so...supportive!
"If you are at least aware of this, then can you tell us what may be able to heal her? There has to be a cure, right?" Levy asked, running a hand through her blue hair.
"I'm not sure if Peony could heal her," Morpheus spoke more to himself, "but she has been missing for some time-"
"Ultear!" Lucy gasped, quickly realizing that a spirit healer's absence must be a serious blow to the Celestial World.
"We think so," Morpheus admitted, looking at the floor. "But, there is really only one person who can repair the damage that has been done."
"Who?" Lucy and Natsu asked in unison as the others simply remained silent.
"The one who can summon these creatures, of course," Morpheus answered matter-of-factly, "She is the only one able to withstand the creatures she brings forth. She is the only one able to control them as well."
Lucy fell back against Natsu, her legs nearly giving out as she realized who Morpheus was speaking of. Her voice was weak as she asked the inevitable question, her chestnut eyes darting to Adie, "H-How long does s-she have?"
"Not sure," Porlyusica answered, glancing at Levy, "but the seal buys us time."
"Please," Lucy pressed, obviously aware that the healer was not answering her to the best of her ability. The aged woman said nothing for some time, glancing at Makarov. Lucy caught the slight nod of the guild master's head.
The older woman met Lucy's expectant and fearful look, "Weeks at most, by my guess."
"I have to go," Morpheus growled, quickly disappearing.
"Wait!" Lucy called out, though he had already gone.
Lucy stifled a cry of frustration as she realized what this meant: they had to find Lilith. And much sooner than they had anticipated. Finding Lilith meant that they may have to face off with Ultear. Were they even ready for that? More importantly, was she ready?
~OoOoO~
Lucy, Wendy, and Natsu walked back to the guild together. Levy had stayed behind, offering her wealth of knowledge to Porlyusica. Lucy had sat in the corner, staring at Adie's body as she listened to Makarov, Porlyusica, and Levy discuss what they could do to stave off inevitable malignancy that would take over Adassandra's body. Lucy was beside herself, unable to comprehend that the woman in front of her—who looked reasonably healthy—would quickly deteriorate. If it was like anything that she had witnessed days ago, Adie only had a horribly painful death to look forward to. For a few moments, the blonde mage contemplated summoning Veleda, to see what she had to offer the situation. If the time came, would Lucy be able to release Adie to the Celestial Spirit World as she had for the seer? Did the demi-spirit even wish for that?
Natsu had paced nervously, listening intently to what Porlyusica and Levy were saying, interrupting every so often to get answers to his own questions. Though he didn't really understand the physiology of what was going on, he knew that whatever it was, it was bad and that their time was limited. Worried looks were sent Lucy's way as she shivered in the corner, her mind a jumbled mess of possibilities. None of this seemed real. Her presumed friendship with Adie was still new, and really mostly one-sided, but Lucy couldn't comprehend the blacksmith's death. Not like this. Not when there was someone who may potentially know of a way to heal her. Of helping her.
"So, this Lilith...she's your friend's sister?" Wendy asked, breaking the silence that interrupted the trio as they returned to the guild.
Lucy's head snapped up, "Huh?"
"She's asking about Adie, Luce," Natsu replied softly.
"Oh, uh...yeah, her sister," Lucy answered absentmindedly.
"So, what if we leave to find her? Like, now?" Wendy offered.
Lucy was grateful for Wendy's offer of help, and touched at the concern she showed for someone she didn't even know. It was something Lucy only found at Fairy Tail: compassion and friendships that knew no boundaries.
"It's..not that easy," Natsu answered for Lucy.
"Why not?" came the young dragon slayer's response as she tugged at a wayward strand of hair.
"Because...with what's going on," Lucy offered, "we don't even know if it's feasible to contact Adie's sister."
"Adie, huh?" Wendy repeated the name. She glanced at Natsu, "So this all has to do with our last mission?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Natsu nodded, looking at Lucy and shooting a warning glance back to Wendy. No one is supposed to know about it. Wendy understood the silent message, relieved to find that Lucy hadn't heard her comment.
"We have to..." Lucy trailed off, "There has to be some way."
"I dunno, Luce," Natsu's voice was filled with empathy, "How can we do that? It's a huge risk, especially with the other guilds refusing help and the Council being dissolved. We don't know what kind of power Ultear holds. Or who she has helping her. I don't want to risk lives."
"I know," Lucy sighed, her eyes stinging with tears. Any other time, Natsu would willingly run into a battle. This time, however, he knew that lives would inevitably be lost...friends would die."But I feel like it's my fault! All of it!"
"How can you say that? You've done nothing but help Adie!" Natsu looked incredulous at Lucy's sudden feelings of guilt, he reached out and grabbed her shoulders in his hands, his eyes falling on the necklace Lucy was wearing as his thumbs mindlessly traced over her shoulders.
"It's just...we can do something, all we have to do is try. If it were me, wouldn't you want to find Lilith?" Lucy replied, her face flushed as she quickly blurted, "I-I mean, if it were anyone from the guild!"
Natsu looked away, his cheeks pink. He didn't have to answer the question, they both knew the answer. The guild and its members were very important to him; of course he would do anything to save a friend. Even more so to save Lucy. Adie was more Lucy's friend than his, but Lucy would suffer if anything happened to Adie, and Natsu didn't know if he could deal with that consequence...
"Did you hear that? " Wendy suddenly asked, missing the exchange that had just occurred between Lucy and Natsu.
"Huh?" Natsu raised an eyebrow, his hands slipping down Lucy's arms.
"I thought I heard my name," Lucy admitted, turning to look around her. Nothing.
"No one said anything," Natsu answered, suddenly looking weary as he scratched his head in confusion.
"Oh, I must have been imagining—" Wendy's voice was soft. It had been a long day...
"Lucy!" came the cries, this time unmistakable, "Miss Lucy Heartphilia!"
"What the-" Natsu muttered, spinning around at the unfamiliar shouts. This time, he, too, heard the voices calling for Lucy.
Lucy shielded her eyes from the late-afternoon sun, spotting two shadows in the direction of the voices she had heard. They were approaching swiftly, and she could make out their sizes in reference to one another. One was about twice as tall as the other, lean and clothed in an unfamiliar style.
"Miss Lucy!" a girl's voice called out for a third time. The sing-song quality of it made Lucy think that it was a child calling her name. The shorter of the duo waved in her direction.
"Do we know them?" Natsu asked from the corner of his mouth, "I don't recognize the smell."
"Never seen them before," Lucy answered, her eyes narrowed as she tried to make out the approaching faces.
"Miss Lucy! Finally!" the shorter one chirped as she approached, nearly at a running pace beyond what Lucy had ever seen.
The girl's short legs carried her about half of the distance as her companion's stride, whom Lucy determined was a man. Bright red curls bounced as the short girl waved what looked to be a magazine at Lucy. Her two pigtails came to her shoulders, and her attire was plain in color. She wore boots under long brown shorts and a dark, high-necked tanktop. An unembellished poncho encircled her shoulders, hitting her mid-upper arm as the hood flopped against her back. Besides her hair, the only color she wore were the ginger freckles on her face, the odd spiraling tattoos around her hairline and down the side of her face, and the thick turquoise bracelets that wrapped around her wrists. Again, she waved the magazine in her hand. The taller of the two wore dark sunglasses, the rest of his face masked behind his high collar. His long, dark hair came to his shoulders, a bright bandana wrapped around his forehead, though under his shaggy bangs. His long-sleeved coat looked all too stuffy, and his hands were gloved. His boots were also lightweight, hidden under his long cargo pants. Their clothes definitely struck Lucy as odd, like they were from a foreign location. The short girl reached the trio first, out of breath and leaning on her elbows as they were propped on her knees. Her back heaved with each forceful inspiration. Lucy stood in silence, still in shock that they somehow knew her name. The taller one said nothing as he crossed his arms over his chest, returning Natsu's distrusting gaze from behind his glasses.
"I—I'm s-s-so s-sorry!" the girl huffed, her face pink from exertion. She quickly stood upright with acrobatic ease, glancing at her magazine cover one last time before her green eyes locked on Lucy's face, "Are...are you L-Lucy Heartphilia? The Celestial Spirit Mage from F-Fairy Tail?"
"I am...what about it?" Lucy asked, suddenly wary. Were they friends are foes? She noticed Natsu's change in posture. He obviously wasn't as trusting.
"How did you know her name?" Natsu growled, his eyes on the taller of the two as he flexed his fingers.
Bright green eyes darted upward toward the giant golden emblem of the guild, and a gapped-tooth smile spread across a freckled face. She was oblivious to Natsu's untrusting interrogation, only focused on her triumph.
"I knew it! You're much prettier in person!" the girl remarked, turning to look at her companion and sticking her tongue out at him, "I told you she would be!"
"Thanks?" Lucy offered, feeling slightly bashful at the unexpected praise, though unsure of what to make of it. She thought she caught a glimpse of a bright light as it streaked across the girl's shoulder. She blinked and looked again, but it was gone.
"But—" the girl interrupted Lucy's thoughts, though the movement of her companion's hands distracted her. His hands swiftly fly through some dancing, fluid movement while the girl watched, nodding her head, her eyes darting between the magazine cover, Lucy, then back to the cover.
"Oh!" the girl's eyes grew wide, "You're bad!"
"What? What is it?" Lucy asked, wondering if the hand movements were some form of communication. She was oddly interested in what the man had to say. She could sense Natsu's hesitance from the corner of her eye. Even Wendy seemed to be confused by the pair of newcomers.
"Oh, he just said," the girl grinned sheepishly, pointing to the magazine she was holding.
Lucy inwardly cringed. It was a few months' old, but she had agreed to be on the cover of the less distributed Sorceress' Life after they demolished the Balam Alliance. It seemed like a good idea at the time...
"My brother just said," the girl's freckled cheeks grew pink as she waved the magazine in the air, glancing back at her companion in hesitation, "He said that your breasts are much smaller in person!"