Chapter Eight -Breakdown

There was a resounding crack. The gates had broken and the first menacing creature escaped. Another and another. Soon the sun was blotted out by the large wings and heads.

All around people were screaming, pushing, and dying. Dragons were swooping down and destroying Star City one building at a time. Pieces of brick and stone fell and crushed unsuspecting victims.

Wide chocolate brown eyes stared in horror. The dragon invasion had really begun.

I slump to the floor. Mere seconds before, I was standing in the middle of chaos, but now I'm in the bland four walls of Taurus Valley.

"They really are attacking," I mutter.

"You didn't think they would attack?" Bryan asks. The Slayers and I arrived to find the Council members waiting for us.

"In a way, I thought they might actually want peace, but … I didn't expect an attack so soon."

"None of us did, but we were prepared. Most casualties only occurred due to self-inflicted causes." Lisanna looks up from her Lacrima to report the findings.

"That's better than last time," I tell them. I stand up on shaky legs and wipe away my tears with my hand.

"And the time before that," Mira mutters.

"Damnit!" Tears run down my face again, "What am I going to do? Everyone is going to be looking to me for this. I have to fix this …" I slump back to the ground hiding my sobs into the floor.

"What in Earthland are you talking about?!" Laxus demands. I just want him to be quiet. wouldn't everyone be quiet for a little while? Couldn't they just let me cry?

"Shut up! It's your fault this is happening in the first place. The Dragons wouldn't be able to come back in it weren't for you," I hiss. My anger sometimes makes me say things I regret; Wendy, Happy, and Natsu's hurt faces instantly made me regret.

"What the fuck was that?!" Laxus asks again. "You know we aren't the problem here; it's you. Ever since we have arrived, you have been blaming us, when all we want is to be home again. Just like you."

"You don't understand, Laxus, this hasn't been home since you left," Erza whispered, "We tried to do everything to find you, but … you left us all alone. Why?"

"Erza don't; he has a point. I have been cold - colder than usual - to them. I should have treated them better because after all they are our only hope now. Besides, what Master of Fairy Tail would I be is I didn't accept everyone." I smile, but as usual it was forced.

"Right …" Cana cautioned. "You know what! I think this a better time than ever to break my sobriety! Come on everyone!" Everyone follows her to waste the ratios of alcohol saved in the cellars.

I stay, not wanting to spend my time being foolish.

"What happened to you?" Laxus asks.

"Why are you so curious?"

"Because, I knew girl named Lucy Heartfilia once and she was this annoyingly happy person who used to complain about physical work of any kind … then I meet you, the Head Master of Fairy Tail, set on taking over the world-"

"When did I say that?!"

"But you disappoint me. Masters of Fairy Tail are supposed to rely on others not just themselves," I stare into his blue eyes trying to figure him out. "You have a whole 'Council' of people willing to help you, willing to cry along side you. God dammit, Lucy, let them help you. Let us help you."

"But-"

"There is nothing else you can say. As Master of Fairy Tail you have to let us help you. You have to know your limits."

"Fine …" I hug him. "Thank you Laxus." He doesn't hug me back, but I sense he received the message. "First thing we need to do, make sure everything's running smoothly …"

A/N: The Dragons have attacked! Exciting, no?

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail

Hoots,

Owls