Author's Note:

I AM REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SORRY TO ALL MY READERS FOR CoLaF OUT THERE!

I've been really busy with university since I'm still a freshman and it didn't help that my laptop broke down too. :(

But, have no fear, I am back to writing! And it's all thanks to all of your support out there so thank you very much!

This is a really sad chapter though.. :-/

Lisanna, Laxus and Lucy's POV for you all!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Fairy Tail characters, they all belong to the awesome Hiro Mashima. :)

Warning: This Fanfiction is Rated M for a reason. Violence and language not suitable for kids out there! xD

LISANNA'S POV

Everyone was home. Our family was once again complete. However, not one of us had the stomach, the energy, or the enthusiasm to celebrate for the return of a member that we had once lost. Even I did not. If Lucy's return had been anything like mine, I suppose that a party would be in order. But with the way things have gone, no member of Fairy Tail could bear such a thought. But am I still worthy enough to be considered as a Fairy Tail mage? After all I've done and after what I did last night. If someone were to find out what happened last night, I was sure that they would find my actions unforgivable. But, I did what I had to do and they cannot blame me for doing so.

Last night…

Why? Why can't Natsu see it? Why can't he look at me? Why does it have to be Lucy? Why not me?

So many questions ran through my head as I ran. I ran away from the person who caused my heart to beat erratically in my chest and my stomach to flutter as if it was a butterfly in the meadow. But right now, what I felt was far off from the usual pleasant feelings I had. I know it was not the right time. But still I tried. I know that he looked at me different in comparison to the Celestial Spirit Mage, but I still hoped that he would turn my way. And I thought he did. He made me believe that he did.

When I came back from Edolas, I had already prepared myself for the worst. That I was not remembered. That I was replaced. I let it ran through my mind endlessly. I prepared myself to be hurt knowing that Natsu may have grown out of his feelings for me two years ago, especially since Lucy was there already. Edo-Lucy and Edo-Natsu liked each other after all, and perhaps their Earthland versions were already an item too. So, despite my heartache, I tried to live on with life normally, knowing that Natsu would be fawning over Lucy when I enter the guild. However, what happened was the total opposite of what I expected everything to be.

Everybody rejoiced. Everybody partied. Everybody celebrated. Even those whom I didn't really know greeted me for my return. And my thought that Natsu would always, always, always be beside Lucy, it was wrong. Natsu was with me the whole time. He never left my side. He was always watching over me. And there was also Gray and Erza whom I thought would have already forgotten about me, especially since they were teammates with Lucy. But, no. They still thought of me and treated me as their sister. They left Lucy's side to be with me and though it should've made me feel guilty, it made me feel happy. Why? Because I felt loved! I felt that I was missed! I felt that I was home! Besides, I was not telling them to stay and they still probably spend time with the blonde right? That was what I believed. Until that mission.

I never knew that she would leave without her team. I never knew that that was her first solo mission. I never knew that she would get in trouble. None of it was something anyone of us ever expected and deep down, I blamed myself for it. So, I came with them to help Lucy wholeheartedly. The blonde was a part of Fairy Tail and therefore a member of our family. And she needed our help. I was prepared and also strengthened my resolve about Natsu. He had been with me for the past two weeks, so perhaps, he loved me back? I will confess to him after we had saved Lucy because he said Lucy would be fine. He said she was strong. Though when I saw the state she was in as Laxus held her, I second-guessed myself, but still resolved to confess. He said she would be fine. So, I'll believe in him.

I thought he loved me. But I was wrong! All he did was give me false hope! And now here I was, facing the price of my foolishness and naivety. Even if it was my fault, this feeling of hate, envy and jealousy filled me. How could it not reach me? I was hurt. I was in pain. I found myself wishing that he would never get together with the Celestial Spirit Mage. I found myself relieved at the thought of Lucy's pain as if it was payment for taking Natsu's heart. And somehow, I found myself hoping that she would just disappear from this world and cease to exist. My thoughts stopped when I was suddenly caught in a trap. "W-what?!" I panicked a bit and tried to use my magic, however, it was futile. The net was made of magic-cancelling ropes and I was dangling from the ground.

"Who's there?!" I yelled as I heard some shuffling in the bushes. In a few moments, a group of thirty mages surrounded me and a girl, no older than Wendy, stood before me. Her hair white hair was short, her black eyes showed coldness and her porcelain skin was pale. She wore a white dress that reached her thighs that was laced with black intricate designs. She was beautiful. "Hello, Lisanna Strauss," the girl said, a small sinister smile on her face and I knew that somehow, she was the most dangerous of all the men and women around us. "W-who are you? Why do you know me?" I asked and the few mages that surrounded us snickered. And I saw it. A guild mark on the hand of a woman. A black snake.

No way… Fear Pythios… But we destroyed them already… Even the master was sent to the Magic Council… "Yes. You destroyed our branch guild in Cathea. And our main guild hall here in Lundama was destroyed too. However, you have not destroyed us all. You may have caught Father, but as long as I am here, the Snake will continue to live," the girl said and I was visibly shocked by her words. "F-Father?" I asked hesitantly. This was the daughter of the guild master. And she was reading my thoughts! "I am Maria. Mind Reading Mage and now, Guild Master of Fear Pythios," she introduced herself and I finally came to understood how she was reading my mind. Although, for a dark guild that specialized in torture, she has a not-so scary magic and I couldn't help but scoff. "Oh, I assure you that my magic is more terrifying than you think. You see, Lisanna, the mind is a private thing, humans assume. So all of our darkest secrets, all of deepest desires, all of our hidden feelings are trapped in it," Maria mused and I couldn't helped but be confused. What was her point in telling me all of this? Surely, this must have no meaning right? "Humans are such fragile creatures and yet they have such vile thoughts and tiny to large-scale fears. And hearing their thoughts being said to them, all their dark thoughts and fears, makes them… crumble," a sinister smile was flashed upon me and I could've sworn that my heartbeat and pressure spiked unnaturally. From fear? What did I have to fear right now? There was nothing!

"I see you wanted Lucy killed. Wasn't she your nakama, as you like to call it?" and my eyes went as wide as saucers. That's right. I had been thinking of that earlier. Lucy being killed. Why do I think now that it was an unbearable thought. "N-no. You're wrong, I don't want her to be killed," I defended but she merely smiled at me and spoke once again. "Is that so? Hmm… So you want to kill her yourself? Why? So you can have Natsu all to yourself? Tsk, tsk, tsk… That's so bad of you, Lisanna," Maria spoke and I told her to stop. I screamed that she was wrong, though it seemed to have no effect as she continued with her words. "So, everyone's little angel was not an angel after all. What would Elf-nii think?" and the white-haired girl gasped. "What would Mira-nee think?" and she smirked and I yelled as tears flowed from my eyes. "STOP! What do you want from me?!"

"Be a member of Fear Pythios!" the girl squealed though a glint in her eye showed that her mind was far from innocent. And I scoffed at her. "What makes you think I would join?" I said proudly though it was obvious that the mind of the girl in front of me had thought of many reasons for me to join. "Because… Even if you deny it… Even if you lie to yourself… Even if you keep on telling yourself what is logical and what is right… Your heart says the opposite," she told me and I looked at her in slight confusion. "Hatred is power, my dear. And what you have will surely be wasted if you stay inside Fairy Tail as you wait for it to consume you secretly and destroy you." "What are you talking about? I don't hate anyone. And I will not join your guild. Fairy Tail is my family!" I defended and she grinned though with my declaration, I realized something. I should stop thinking. I should just act. I needed to save myself. Because there is something I had to do. But I have got to stop thinking of Fairy Tail as my family. "That's right Lisanna. Fairy Tail is not your family. Besides, what of Natsu and Lucy? Do you think a happy ending fits them both? I think not. Join Fear Pythios, Lisanna. Join me," and I nodded and succumbed to the wish of the devil. It is something I have to do. I have to grow up and face what's in front of me. And so, with a changed look in my eyes that seemed to have pleased Maria, I spoke coldly, "I will become a member of Fear Pythios."

As I sat in the bar of the Fairy Tail guild, I couldn't help but think of that night. It was neither a dream nor a nightmare after all, it was reality. My Fairy Tail insignia still nestled safely on my thigh; however, beneath the shirt I wore and just under my left breast, the Fear Pythios insignia remained hidden from view. Getting it was the most painful thing, I have experienced and I knew not why, but I didn't care. For me, joining that guild was the right choice and now I am acting as if I am a normal member of the Fairy Tail guild. For how long I can keep this up? I do not know. However, I told myself that I am doing the right thing.

LAXUS' POV

I was first to awake with Lucy right beside me. It had only been three days since we returned to the guild and she has been going back and forth to waking up screaming and being slightly sedated by Porlyusica so that she may rest. The peaceful look on her face was something that enchanted and relieved me at the same time. Blondie had been bothered by reality and nightmares too much. It was time that she had gotten herself some peaceful rest, even if it was only in slumber. It was enough to see her like this for I knew that when she opens her eyes, her once delightful chocolate orbs would be lost in darkness and fear. It was a look that I never thought would see on her, and frankly, now that we were alone and I could see her clearly, I knew that I was also at fault for what happened to her. If I had told Natsu and the others about her mission, she wouldn't have gotten herself into this mess. But, I knew why she left. She was hurt. And she wanted to escape. Who's to say that she won't be hurting if I had told Natsu where she had gone. They had ignored her. And that led to her spontaneous decision. A decision that I had no say at. And a decision that I couldn't intrude upon. Gramps has agreed with my decision, but that doesn't justify my mistake. With a deep inhale of her scent that still had the comfort it held, I resolved myself to get stronger and not dwell on my guilt. She needed me to be there for her and not to feel guilty. It was only a matter of knowing what needed to be done.

My thoughts had kept me preoccupied and I was too busy watching over the Celestial mage to notice a short old man standing right beside the bed. A cough was heard and I jumped in shock and cursed this damn old man to the heavens. And what was the deal with the stupid grin?! "What is it old man?" I asked. "Is it not right for a father to check on his child and a grandfather to look at his grandson's relieved face?" the old man answered and I could do nothing but sigh, "What do you want to talk about?" Makarov's smile vanished into that of a serious one. "Not here. We might awaken her, we shall talk in my office," and though hesitant to leave, I followed him out of the infirmary. I took one last look at her before walking through the doors and nodding to Freed and Alzack whom was currently guarding the door. As I walked behind the old man, not seeing the freezing glare that the Salamander and Titania were giving him was quite an impossible task, though I did not give a flying fuck of what they thought of my decision.

As soon as both of us entered the office, we each took our seats and began with the conversation. "So what's this all about, old man?" I questioned and eyed the serious look on the usual carefree man's face. It would be nothing good; I was sure because an expression like that was something he reserved for grave matters. And right now, matters concerning Lucy. "It seems that not all of Fear Pythios has been captured on the day of Lucy's retrieval," the old man stated and I could've sworn I almost destroyed the whole guild. "WHAT?!" I roared. How the hell was that even possible?! Mirajane and the Raijinshuu assured me that every single fucking member was caught that day! "The guild master's daughter escaped with around thirty members, five of them serving as her own bodyguards. It seems that this daughter is not even older than our young Wendy," the old man sighed and I raised my eyebrow at this before the master resumed with ten ominous words, "Though she is a dangerous force to be reckoned with." "Why, Gramps?" I questioned and before we could even resume with our conversation, a horror-struck and panicked Mirajane burst into the room. "What is it my child?" the old man spoke and it could be seen in Mira's face that it was a serious matter.

"L-Lucy, s-she-," and before any other word was said I ran back to the infirmary, a group of people swarming to the entrance but stopped by Freed's runes that had been put up three days ago. I passed through with ease and nothing could have prepared me for the heart-breaking scene I came upon.

LUCY'S POV

I awoke to the light invading my closed eyes and as I steadily sat up on the cot that I lay, I realized that I was all alone. I would've panicked, but the familiar surroundings led me to believe that I was still in the infirmary of the guild that I considered my home. I sat there, just staring into nothingness, and I finally couldn't reign the tears that flowed from my eyes. All that happened in the past few weeks came crashing down on me and was now haunting me. I could still feel every bit of pain and every touch of the lashes that came to my body. I still remember the visions I have seen. Bloodied, unconscious bodies. Eternal suffering. Eternal fear. Fear was etched into the very being of my mind and it was nearly impossible to take them away. No one was there. No one would ever be there. I will always be alone. Just like I had always been as a child. I knew now that it was my fate and I sobbed silently into my hands.

I tried to wipe my tears, and when I did, horror struck into my face. My hands. They were filled with scars. And when I took the blanket away from my body, it was the same with my legs. My arms. When I took of the shirt that covered me and walked rather unsteadily to the mirror, I was horrified. Every bit of my body was covered in scars. It was not my appearance that terrified me. It was the memory. That's right. They tortured me to near death. I looked pitifully at my reflection. They used me too. They used me.

A filthy girl. A dirty girl. Filthy. Dirty. Used. Filthy. Dirty. Used.

The same thoughts ran through my head and before I knew it, I was chanting, whispering, the words like a mantra. Of course. That's why Laxus left before I even woke up. He knew I was dirty. He must have seen all the dirt. And smelled it too. That's right. Who would want to be with a dirty girl? No one. Even Loke doesn't want to be around me like this. Even if I did try to help him, I was useless. No wonder he doesn't like to see me. No one would want to see me. No one would want to be with me. I am alone. I am alone because I am filthy. Maybe if I cleaned up, they would return? I walked unsteadily, almost limping to the bathroom and stepped inside it. I turned on the shower and grabbed the cleaning brush and the soap. Water cascaded on my naked body and with every ounce of strength I had, I used the soap and brush in an attempt to clean myself.

That's right. I had to clean myself before I see my family. They must think that I'm very dirty. So I must clean up for them. Every single inch. I have to be clean and I have to smell nice too. That's right. They might think I smell bad. They'll see the dirt clearly too and smell the filth. So I have to brush really well. I have to get all the filth away. Brush every single inch. Even my face, that's right. They dirtied all of me so I must clean up.

I didn't notice when blood came and I didn't notice when the tears flowed. All I cared about was to get myself cleaned. I am a dirty girl after all. And no one would ever want a sullied and filthy girl.

THIRD PERSON POV

The guild was not in its usual lively manner. Sure, drinks were being passed and talks were being done, but brawls didn't happen. Shouting was not an occurrence. And a bright, smiling face was nowhere to be found in its usual face by the bar. Nothing was the same without Lucy and they all realized it a bit too late. Three days had passed and none of them were still used to the current condition of their guild. For the past days, in the midst of their day, a sudden agonizing and heart-clenching scream could be heard from what they knew as the infirmary. On days that they were lucky, they would only get to hear it once. On unlucky days, it bothered them for three times the whole day and twice at night. That happened on the very first day Lucy was brought back. All of them were haunted by her screams of pain and they wondered what hell has their blonde mage been through. No one knew but Loke. And he had not shown his face in the guild. Not even once. But they understood. Loke was a Fairy Tail mage and Lucy was a fellow member, which meant she was family, not being able to do anything must have been hard. But above that, Loke was a Celestial Spirit owned by Lucy and he was damn well proud of that. All of them knew that Loke valued her and her to him. It was a strong bond they shared, and all of them knew all too well that the blonde would do anything to save the lion and seeing what she had gone through, it was a torture for Loke. All of them knew. That's why all was quiet within the usual rowdy Fairy Tail guild.

Somewhere in the corner sat a black-haired gruff and blue-haired bookworm. None were saying a word and minding their own business but it showed enough that they were both worried. Gajeel was barely eating his iron and Levy was taking too long to read a single page of her book. And while on other times, they would be teasing the hell out of the two of them since Levy was leaning on Gajeel and the Iron Dragon Slayer didn't seem to mind, they didn't because they knew all too well that those two were the most worried about Lucy next to Laxus and Team Natsu. After all, Levy was Lucy's best friend and Gajeel had grown close to the Celestial Mage as well. It would take a dense idiot to not notice the relationship. Besides, those two frequently visited the mage, almost five times every day to see how she was doing. And they would even watch her when Laxus needed to leave the blonde's side for a short while. Both of them were quiet, trying to keep their heads to what they are doing, but they were obviously failing. Their thoughts kept wandering to Lucy after all.

And suddenly, a change in scent filled Gajeel's nostrils. It confused him at first. The scent was faint. But, it was there. And it grew stronger and stronger and stronger. It was a scent that he never, ever wished to smell again. And when he saw the look of pure rage on Natsu's face, his thoughts were confirmed. "Fuck," he cursed and it caught the bluenette's attention. "What's wrong, Gajeel?" Levy asked both confused and worried. "It's Bunny Girl. Come on, Shrimp," he muttered and quickly stood and ran to the infirmary, Levy following closely behind him. This caught everyone's attention and quickly followed the duo and while the first two easily passed the runes since they were allowed to enter the infirmary, the rest of the guild was stopped by the green-haired man's runes. And though Freed and Alzack were as curious and worried as the rest are, they knew better than to go inside the room they were forbidden to enter. "WHAT'S GOING ON?! LET ME IN! LUCY'S IN THERE AND I CAN SMELL BLOOD! HER BLOOD! LET ME IN!" a certain pink-haired slayer yelled and slammed at the wall of runes stopping him from getting any closer to the door of the infirmary. Upon hearing this, the two guards flinched but both were mature enough to know that this was not the time. "No, Natsu. We can't." And they all fell silent except for a cursing dragon slayer.

Gajeel knew all too well the scent of Lucy's blood. He got the full stench of it back in Lundama and smelling it was something he found completely unpleasant and thoroughly enraged and worried him at the same time. He followed the stench with ease and found himself face-to-face with the door to the bathroom and he cautiously opened it, only to face the full smell of the blonde's blood. He saw her. Naked and scrubbing her body furiously with what he was sure was the brush for cleaning the walls of the bathroom. It was too hard for the skin but why was she using it. With his hearing, he heard her muttering a mantra. Filthy. Dirty. Used. Filth must clean.He approached her quickly and took the brush from her and shook her. "Lucy! Wake up!" and when her brown eyes met his red ones, she screamed and flailed which caused more blood and she backed up and scrambled to the farthest corner while trembling in fear. He dropped the brush in shock of what happened and the blood that was on his hands. Levy had entered the bathroom and was tearing up from the sight she was seeing. When Lucy had seen the brush that was dropped, she crawled to it and picked it up before returning to her corner and scrubbing herself. "Levy, you have to calm down and help her. I'm a guy so I can't do any good. I'll get Jet to call the old hag," the Iron Dragon said and the Script Mage was quick to understand.

Levy was in tears. She had never expected to see her best friend, Lu-chan, in this state. She was her best friend and yet she had not been there for the blonde when she was needed the most. And so, when Gajeel had told her that Lucy needed her, Levy was quick to get into the shower, not minding in the least that her hair and clothes were getting wet from the water. She looked at Lucy clearly. Her porcelain skin was covered in scars and now bleeding scratches as well from the hard texture of the brush that the blonde was using. And then, she couldn't help it anymore, she encase Lucy in a hug to stop her movements as she cried along with her friend. She heard the mantra that Lucy was repeating in whispers that made Levy sob even more. When Lucy realized that she could not move freely, she started to flail and even hit Levy in an attempt to get away, but Levy only hugged her more, determined to not let go even if she was hurt by the woman's attempts of escape. Lucy needed her and she was not leaving her friend more than she already had. "No! Lu-chan is not dirty! You're not filthy at all!" the bluenette yelled though it did nothing to the seemingly hypnotized and flailing woman. "Lu-chan is fine just the way she is because you're beautiful and strong and I'm sure you'll get through this! I'm here for you Lu-chan! I'll always be here for you!" the small woman told her best friend as she cried and it seemed as if the words got to the blonde mage slightly because she stopped flailing and only went still, letting tears flow from her eyes and still repeating the mantra she had constructed. "Lu-chan is not filthy. Lu-chan will always be Lu-chan and I will never ever leave you again. I'll always be here for you," the bluenette said as she pulled away and smiled at the blonde whose chocolate eyes seem to be lost and staring into nothingness. "Because we're best friends, ne?" was all Levy said before hugging Lucy again like there was no tomorrow.

Gajeel had never expected to see that look from Lucy in the time that he had known her and gotten close to her. When he was in Phantom Lord, not once did she show that look of utter fear and desperation. Now, her eyes showed hopelessness. Not the usual light that he expected to see. He knew now that Gray was right. Perhaps, she would not be alright after this. What she had gone through was probably something beyond their imagination. And he could do nothing to help one of the few friends he had gained. He staggered to the entrance of the infirmary and was met with shocked eyes at the sight of blood in his hands. Everyone was quiet and with the sight, even the Fire Dragon was silenced. Mira was shocked beyond comprehension and Gajeel nodded at her to signal her to get Master Makarov. Sadly, Wendy was with Porlyusica today so they could not get help immediately. "Jet… Get Porlyusica and Wendy here quickly," he said calmly and everyone now knew the extent of what was going on. It was grave. It was horrible. Because their usual grumpy, name-calling dragon slayer was calm and had spoken names clearly and without sarcastic intention.

Replies to Some Reviews:

Raiza-chan: Well, Natsu and Erza's POVs are coming up real soon so you'll probably understand their actions soon enough. Lucy's spirits will be coming around too so keep an eye out for that! As for Lisanna, well, not that I'm making people hate her... But you'll just have to keep an eye out for her as the story progresses. ;) She's quite the complex character to write and I've already got the plans for her laid out..

BrokenButStillStanding: Sorry that this took so long... Well, you're suspicions are right and that goes to show in this chapter... I got so used to alluding things so it wasn't that directly pointed out over here... Lucy's development is something I have not planned for yet but it would be exciting to read and write... :)

XLALUX: The chapters of her recovery will be following through this one and it's quite sad and at the same time interesting to write and of course different POVs will be recurring throughout the whole story so you'll all get to see a lot of perspectives. :)

zin-chan-luvs-u: Nope! Not offended at all.. xD Personally, I think it's great that you're able to react to the characters in my story so I'm really happy.. xD

JcL107: Alexia Heartfilia (Lucy's cousin) is someone that can be looked forward to in the following chapters cause she's one of the people that spices this story up!

GemNika: Might have disappointed you with Lisanna here but she really is someone to look forward to till the end cause it's really rare that I have planned out stuff for characters and Lisanna is one of the few so it'll be a good read (I hope)... And also, I'm not hating NaLi.. xD I actually ship it a few times, and I love Lisanna too.. :P

OgaxHilda: Well, yes.. I will be starting to write their relationship soon and I'm looking forward to it as well and I agree that there are many different sides of Laxus Dreyar that we are yet to know.. xD

Three different POVs and a little peek on Gajeel and Levy's feelings to everything!

So, I've been away for a little while and this is what I give to all of you!

What did you guys think of Laxus and Lucy and Gajeel and Levy?

Keep an eye out for what's going to happen with Lisanna, okay?

I promise ya'll that I'll keep this thing interesting till the very end (which is probably not for a while). xD

Land me a little review so I know what ya'll think and if you have any reactions about it all as well. ;)