Everyone have you missed me! Ezra saved my life. I don't want to talk about what Gajeel made me go through *shudders* Well I see they did good in continuing the story. They might be better than me. Lol Well I want to thank all the readers of this story. And everyone that comments you guys keep me going for this story. Although It takes a while for me to update I am happy that you haven't given up on me. Its that it takes a while because I always revise what I write to make sure its good and think ahead for next chapters..well thanks…
Special thanks to leoslady4ever, sereneskydragonslayer, Skymaiden777, storm 36-50, CupcakeGirl633, and Guest for the reviews of last chapter. Thanks for all your support.
Chapter 15: The Bond of Sisters
Cindy watched her sister go slowly up the ladder while hanging on Natsu's back. She seemed to have a smile on her face as she held tightly to Natsu. Cindy let out a sigh in relief as she stared at her sister moving her limbs. They saved her. She is safe. Cindy looked down at her hands to see them shaking. She knows it's not over. Cindy's heart began beating with horror as she felt her chest clench. She can feel something bad coming. The smell of death filled her nose. Almost suffocating her as her breathing started to get heavier.
"Nooooooooo!" Cindy snapped her head up in fear upon hearing her sister's voice.
But it was too late. All at once the red head dragonslayer felt long claws dig into her skin with such a force that it slung her body to the side. She couldn't even scream or yell in terror. Just tears going down her eyes as blood went down her body making her feel cold. Then her body came in contact with the cold lifeless wall knocking the breath out of her ending her life. The last thing she heard was her sister yelling her name in sorrow.
Upon a soft and moist cloud lays a dragonslayer. One that sacrificed her life to save her loved ones. One that grew up without a mother raised by fantasy creatures. One who sees impending doom of others with just a touch. Sees everything there is to see about a person through just a touch. Protector to her nephew. Loved by others. She lies softly on the cloud in the sky breathing softly. Her short red hair looking as if it was made of silk as the long white heavenly dress clung loosely against her skin.
"Where am I?" She groaned as she slowly opened her eyes revealing the honey brown orbs to the heavens. She slowly sat up looking around in shock. The mist of the clouds covered the air around her only showing her white blankness. It felt cool against her tan skin. She slowly stood up looking around astonished. Tears came down her eyes in realization as she took in her situation. "So this is it. At 16 I left the world. But I at least saved them."
Cindy walked aimlessly through the clouds. Not knowing the direction in which she goes or even the destination. Her mind reeling back on all the memories of her life. From the times with Jasmine training to be a dragonslayer. To when she first met her sister. Cindy chuckled lightly as tears went down her eyes. That day was unforgettable.
Flashback begins
A carefree child of only 9 years old ran through the enchanted woods along the border of the city of ember with a smile. She laughed to herself as she jumped over large branches on the ground and weaved through trees. Why was she happy? Well today the Dragon's came out of the Dragon realm to meet the woman who was chosen to become the mother of the new Dragon Spirit. The child was more than excited she was thrilled. But the dragon's will be stay at lake that led to the entrance of the Dragon realm waiting for the chosen woman to come to them. But the child couldn't wait anymore. She darted out through the forest in hopes to see the woman chosen first.
As she ran through the evergreen forest she has failed to realize the person in front of her. The girl ran into the blonde woman with so much force that it knocked them both back on their butts. The small girl and woman groaned in pain as they sat up rubbing their throbbing heads. The small red head girl looked at the woman angrily as her temper seemed to snap.
"Hey! Watch where you are walking!" The girl hissed in rage as she stood up glaring at the blonde woman. The woman let out a soft groan as she rubbed her head. Her eyes snapped opened revealing honey brown confused eyes that seemed to just been released from a trance. The blonde looked around the evergreen forest in utter confusion.
"Where am I?" The blonde spoke out. Her eyes darting around the girl ignoring her presence.
"Don't ignore me, blondie!" The small girl hissed as her body seemed to steam with anger. For a young girl she has always had this bad temper that the dragons attempted to stop, but they only increased it for they weren't any better. The girl stared furiously as the blonde stood up looking around her in utter shock. "Are you drunk?"
"No. I just…I Don't know. I got off the train not too long ago to only be in some kind a trance. When I awake I am here looking at you." The blonde replied as she looked back at the girl taking in her features. She looked just like her when she was younger except with tan skin and red hair. The woman immediately rubbed her eyes in disbelief that can't be right. Maybe she is hallucinating this girl. That's it this girl is a fake to represent her past that has to be it. The woman immediately poked the girls arm in confusion only to feel she is real.
"What are you doing?" The girl growled angrily as she stared at the blonde. The woman just poked her really hard on the arm and is staring at her with disbelief.
"I had to see if you were real?" The blonde mumbled out in disbelief. She then looked at the girl in the eyes. "What is your name?"
"See if I was real? I am real old lady! You don't need to know my name for nothing." The girl growled out in rage as her body steamed up. The woman looked at the girl in astonishment.
"I am not old little girl. I am only 18 years old."
"oh Someone is sensitive to be called a old lady. Don't call me a little girl!"
"But that is what you are a bratty child!" The woman hissed in annoyance as she stood up glaring at the girl.
"Now you just pissed me off." The girl growled out furiously as she tackled the blonde down starting a brawl between them. The blonde woman was surprised at first by the girls action then attempted to pull away not wanting to hurt her. But the girl only fought back harder getting more pissed that she didn't want to hurt her cause she was young.
Flashback end…
Cindy chuckled to herself softly. She used to have such a bad temper when she was young. Almost every little thing pissed her off so much. The dragons attempted to calm it back then, but that never worked. Cindy smiled to herself as she kept on walking in silence not knowing where she is going. After a while of brawling with her sister the dragons got tired of waiting and went to find Lucy. When they found them fighting Metallica and Igneel immediately pulled them apart.
Flashback begins….
"Why are you two fighting?" Igneel asked in worry as he stared at both girls. The small red head girl huffed angrily as she was held in the air upside down by Igneel's tail. She looked to see the blonde woman she was fighting was in the same position, but by Metallica's tail. The blonde has tears coming down her eyes as she stared at Igneel with disbelief. Igneel moved the red head girl closer to his large head looking at her with one large cat like eyes. "Cindy!"
"Don't look at me! Blondie started it!" Cindy huffed out as she pouted at the red dragon.
"I don't believe you!" Igneel stated out loud. Cindy immediately looked at the dragon with shock. Of course they didn't believe her because the blondie is crying now. So now this 9 year old girl is the bully. Really! Who ever heard of a 9 year old bullying a older girl.
"Igneel-" Cindy started to say, but was interrupted by the blonde's gasp in shock. All heads turned to the blonde who wouldn't take her eyes away from the red dragon. Cindy and Metallica looked back and forth between the red dragon and blonde girl. Igneel stared at the blonde with recognition and sadness.
"Ig-Igneel….Natsu's…" The blonde started to say out loud as tears went down her eyes. Cindy watched in shock as the dragon's set both girls down on their feets. The blonde walked cautiously to Igneel tears coming down her eyes as she stared in disbelief. She let out a small laugh as a smile spread on her face. "This..This is great. Natsu has been looking for you for so long. He would be so happy to see you. Igneel you have to come back and see him. Or I can even bring him here. Natsu. He would…"
"Lucy." Igneel spoke the blonde's name softly as he looked at her with sadness. "I can not see Natsu for it would put him in danger."
"Wha-What do you mean?" Lucy let out in confusion as she looked around at the other dragons. Her eyes widen in recognition at them. "Grandine and Metallica? Why are you all here? Why won't you see the dragonslayers? Do you know they have been looking for you all for years?" The Dragons looked down with guilt and sadness. Cindy fisted her hands next to her not liking that the woman made the Dragons upset.
"Why that litt-" Cindy growled as she went to walk to the blonde, but she was only held back by her dragon's tail. Cindy looked up at the blue dragon to see her stare at Cindy with a serious expression as she shook her head no.
"We know they have been searching for us. We have been watching them for years now. Please understand that we did what we had to do in order to protect them." Grandine spoke up. Lucy looked at the white dragon with sadness tears going down her eyes.
"What could have been so dangerous to them that made you leave them alone and panicked? You have hurt them so much. Although they smile now you can still tell in their hearts that they miss you deeply. They have searched for you for years frantically wanting to know why you have left them wanting you near them again. And here you are telling me that you left for their safety. Tell me couldn't you have protected them instead of breaking their hearts." Lucy practically yelled out in sorrow as tears went down her eyes.
"Don't you think we know that! You don't know nothing! You don't know anything! How much we hurt just by watching over them knowing that we can't see them. Our hearts broke also when we pushed ourselves to leave them." Metallica growled out as he glared at the blonde. Lucy looked up to notice the Dragon's sorrowful faces.
"She doesn't understand. Explain it to her then. We must tell her everything since she is the chosen one." Jasmine said out loud in soft voice looking at the other dragons.
Cindy continued to watch in silence as the Dragon's proceeded to tell the blonde everything about them. Their history. The reason why their left their dragonslayer's. and the reason they summoned her here. Cindy watched as the blonde known as Lucy sobbed out in pain for them and for the dragonslayers. Lucy cried and cried until she seemed to have no tears her heart going out to them. Tears went down the red heads eyes as her heart broke for the blonde. Cindy couldn't help but feel protective towards the woman. She couldn't take her tears. Cindy felt the Dragons stare at her in shock as she moved forward towards the crying blonde wrapping her arms around her.
"Shhhhh….It's ok. It will be ok. They will see each other again in the future." Cindy comforted the crying blonde in her arms. Lucy only sobbed louder as she held onto Cindy. The Dragons stared in sadness as Cindy hummed a soft lullaby as she continued to hold tightly to the sobbing blonde. She continued to sing until the blonde calmed down. It was the lullaby that she remembered Jasmine sing to her when she couldn't sleep or was upset. Jasmine told her that it was the lullaby that her real mother sang all the time when she was in her stomach. Lucy seemed to stiffen under Cindy's arms as she pulled away from her looking at her in shock.
"Where did you hear that?" She let out hoarsely staring at the small red head in sorrow.
Flashback ends..
Cindy stopped walking through the mist to look down at her hands. The Dragon's told Lucy and Cindy after that they were sisters. Cindy remembers the way she denied them saying it wasn't true while Lucy told them that she was an only child. To which the Dragon's proceeded to explain about how Layla was chosen to be Cindy's mother.
Cindy looked around through the mist the wind softly blowing against her making her hair and white dress flow back softly. She couldn't help, but wonder if she will see Jasmine and Layla now that she is dead. Cindy stared ahead of her to see a figure of a woman walking towards her through the mist.
"Hello?" Cindy said out loud curiously as she stared at the figure coming closer to her. Her heart raced with fear as the mist parted revealing the figure to be none other than her sister. Tears came down her eyes in despair as she stared at her sister in horror. "No…"
"Cindy!" Lucy let out in sadness as she ran to her sister enveloping her in a tight hug sobbing out loud. Cindy just stood frozen. This …This can't be happening. She can't be dead.
"What…What are you doing here? You can't be here!" Cindy let out in shock as she pushed her sister away from her. Lucy looked at Cindy in sorrow.
"I came to save you. I used a spell on earth and next thing I know I am here and some orb of light told me that I am still alive that due to the energy I used I temporary became a spirit here. The orb told me that I will return to my body soon. When I heard that I came looking for you. I came to save you." Lucy spoke with determination. Cindy looked down in sadness taking in her sister's words then looked back into her sister's eyes. The same eyes she has.
"It's too late, Lucy." Cindy muttered out sadly.
"No it's not. We can still save you. You're not dead." Lucy frantically said out loud as she grabbed Cindy's arms. She looked into Cindy's eyes wanting her to understand. But Cindy was right and Lucy won't accept it.
"No you can't Lucy. I died. I am dead. The moment my body slammed against the cave walls I died. Lucy you can't save me. I am already gone. Please go back while you still can." Cindy yelled at her sister as tears went down her eyes. Tears went down Lucy's eyes. She couldn't accept it.
"No. No you're not! You're my little sister you can't die before me. I AM SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. YOU'RE MY LITTLE SISTER. I AM SUPPOSED TO WATCH YOU GROW UP TO BE A WOMAN. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO WATCH ME GET MARRIED AND HAVE MORE KIDS. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HELP ME RAISE TAIYO. YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME! YOU'RE MY LITTLE SISTER. YOU CAN'T DIE. YOU'RE TO YOUNG YOU CAN'T DIE." Lucy sobbed out loud as she fell to her knees still holding tightly to Cindy's arms. Her head shaking no as she refused to accept this. "I CAN'T LEAVE YOU. I CAN'T LEAVE YOU ALONE. I WILL STAY HERE. I WON'T GO BACK. I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK."
Upon hearing her sister's words Cindy immediately fell to the floor on her knees. Tears coming down her honey brown eyes as she grabbed her sister's face to force to look at her. Cindy continued to cry as she stared at her sister with anger.
"No! You have to live! Lucy, you have to live. You can't leave your son without a mother. You need to live a long and happy life. You have to protect Taiyo and the Dragon's. You need to protect them no matter what. You can't leave Natsu, Lucy. It is too late for me, but not for you. Live your life to the fullest, Lucy. Tell Natsu you love him. Make him forgive you and trust you again. Get married, have more kids, and be happy. There will be more trials in your life you need to stay strong for. Live. Live for mom. Live for Taiyo, for the Dragons, for Natsu, and Live for me. I love you so much, Lucy." Cindy cried as she hugged her sister tightly feeling her disappearing slowly. Lucy sobbed into her sister arms not noticing that she was slowly being returned back to earth.
"No. No. You can't die!" Lucy sobbed out as she held her sister with all her might. Her time is running out. "You're too young to die. You can't die like this. Mom wouldn't want this. I promise Cindy I will do everything I can to save you. I'll bring you back. I'll save you no matter what."
"Lucy. Please don't. Just live your life." Cindy sobbed out holding her sister's disappearing figure. "I'll always watch over you no matter where you are. I will be in your heart."
Then all too soon Lucy disappeared back to earth leaving Cindy alone sobbing out in pain to the ground. The clouds coming closer around her in comfort as they attempted to dry her tears, but she couldn't stop. She is gone. Her sister will live on. Her sister is still alive. All Cindy can do now is watch over her and her future. Although she is happy that her sister gets another chance she couldn't help, but feel the unbearable pain inside knowing that she was alone now. More clouds came around the red head girl covering her completely making her disappear into empty blackness.
************************************************** ***Protecting Dragons******************************************* ***************
"Natsu. We need to leave." Wendy spoke softly as she stood next to the frantic fire dragonslayer. Natsu has been on the ground digging through the rocks frantically with his bare hands. Tears streaming down his face as he refused to believe she was gone. He along with Sting and Rogue refused to believe the truth.
"No. She can't. She can't….We just got her back. It's my fault." Natsu muttered out as he continued to dig. Tears continued to come out as his vision started to blur. But he just kept on. He was desperate.
"Natsu we need to go. We need to get back to the guild. The boy is there. We need to tell him that his mother.." Gajeel spoke sadly as he looked away. He tried to fight the tears that wanted to come down his eyes. The boy. The small child of Lucy is now actually in truth an orphan.
"NO! His mother is still alive!" Natsu yelled as he stood up glaring at Gajeel.
"Natsu…it's no use." Sting spoke up lifelessly as he let his hand fall on Natsu's shoulder.
Natsu turned to the side to stare at the blonde man. Natsu watched in sorrow taking in Rogue and Sting's appearance. They looked like him. Lifeless with grief while covered with dirt and cuts from digging frantically through the rubble with their bare hands. Tears still going down their eyes softly. Natsu couldn't help, but realize at that moment how much those two actually care for the younger sister of Lucy.
Wendy watched in grief as she witnessed Natsu's head drop giving up. His as well as Sting's body shook furiously as they cried silently. Wendy couldn't help, but cry at the sight that was breaking her heart. They just saved her to lose her. Natsu will live his life regretting this day. Wendy cried for she knew that the three dragonslayers will give up on life now that their lost the one they love. Even Gajeel shook as he attempted to still hold his tears, but he couldn't. Once one fell out they all couldn't stop coming out. Even the iron heart Gajeel was crying in sorrow.
They continued to cry letting out the grief of their hearts. The grief of the loss of the sisters that they held so close in their hearts. The stars shined above them as the full moon lit up the night sky. The spirits in the heavens having watched everything sobbed along with the dragonslayers, but not for the same reasons. The spirits cried knowing what the future held for these dragonslayers and the sisters.
The ground under the dragonslayers shook violently making them look around in fear. Wendy screamed out as she felt the rock move violently. She turned around to see the waves moving violently hitting the boat making rock back and forth violently. The water coming on the rubble that the stood on soaking them. The dragonslayers yelled as they dropped to the floor on their hands and knees due to violently moving. Their yells echoing through the noise.
"What's going on!" Wendy screamed out as she shook violently. They all yelled in fear not knowing what was happening.
"Look!" Rogue yelled over the noise.
Everyone looked at him to see him pointing in front of him. It looked as if something was attempting to come out from underneath the rocks something big. The dragonslayers froze in fear their minds going to the possibility of it being the dragon they attempted to escape from. Natsu being the first to react immediately jumped to his feet despite the shaking.
"Run!" Natsu yelled at everyone. The dragonslayer's clumsily and frantically got to their feet's as they attempted to run away jumping in the water swimming towards the ship. Just as they hit the water the rocks from where they were at flew in the air by a large force signifying that whatever was trying to get out has succeeded.
Wendy was the first one of the ship tears going down her eyes in fear knowing that if it was indeed the dragon that they attempted to escape from they won't survive this. They can't fight it. The boat rocked back and forth violently due to the large waves slamming on its sides. The rocks started falling back on the ground making large crashing sounds. Wendy heart beated with fear as she noticed the other dragonslayers still in the water looking ahead with burning eyes. She knew they will fight the dragon with all they got for revenge and for she to survive. In panic Wendy ran to the side of the boat yelling at them as loud as she can.
"Please don't be a hero! Let's go! We need to leave!" Wendy yelled at the stubborn dragonslayers. "We need to survive."
"Gajeel.. Go with Wendy and leave." Natsu yelled at Gajeel above the noise. "If it is what we think it is we will hold it back as much as we can while you guys escape."
"No! I want to kill the damn thing!" Gajeel growled out in rage. Sting and Rogue looked at the Iron dragonslayer with a glare as they shook their heads no at him.
"No! Levi should be due soon. You can't expect her to raise a child alone." Natsu scolded as he pushed Gajeel towards the side of the boat. Gajeel went to protest more, but Natsu just stared at him giving him a look that had the iron dragonslayer back off in shock.
"Don't you all dare die!" Gajeel growled out as he quickly climbed up the ladder to the deck of the large ship. Wendy looked at him shaking her head no knowing the other three chose to stay. "Wendy get us away from here." He ordered the blue haired girl. Wendy just shook her head no refusing. Tears went down her eyes.
Gajeel went to say more, but was immediately interrupted by roaring sob echoing through the sky. They immediately turned to where the rubble used to be to see a blonde kneeling down holding a body to her as she sobbed out loud. Natsu, Rogue, and Sting stared in shock upon seeing the figure. The blonde was sobbing loudly as she held the limb lifeless body of her sister to her. Upon seeing the situation Wendy jumped off the ship into the water while everyone stared in shock. Wendy immediately swam to the rubble climbing up running towards the sobbing blonde. Natsu, Rogue, and Sting snapped out of it followed right behind the sky dragonslayer. Wendy looked down at the sobbing blonde in grief. The woman seemed to not notice the girls presence as she held tighter to her sister's body.
"Lucy?" Natsu let out softly as he stepped towards the woman that hold his heart. His heart clenching with fear and worry upon hearing her sobs. Lucy looked up at fire dragonslayer with sorrow tears still coming down her eyes.
"She's gone! She's gone!" Lucy sobbed out right as Natsu pulled her into his arms holding her tightly. Tears coming down his eyes as he looked down at Cindy's lifeless body on Lucy's lap. Natsu held Lucy tighter to him as she sobbed loudly into him. He could hear the sobs coming from Sting and Rogue as they fell to their knees in front of them. Wendy cried softly as she bent towards Cindy.
No amount of healing could help her. She was gone. The water and ice dragonslayer was gone.