Alright, alright. Despite freaking out that I have to catch a plane BY MYSELF tomorrow and having to get ready for that (which I have not done) I managed to write this chapter! Unfortunately yesterday was kind of a crummy day, and that's when I wrote the bulk of this chapter, so it's kind of a bummer. P.S. This is part one of two.

I promise fluff for next time! Over and out!

"Uuughhh," I sigh as I stare at my quiet apartment. There's something missing, but I can't decide what it is.

I go through everything, just to make sure there's nothing missing; no, not even a book out of place. I quickly drop to the floor as another headache takes hold.

"Not. . . Again. . ." I hiss through my clenched teeth, cradling my head in my hands. Finally it passes and I slump to the ground. A few minutes pass before I'm able to think coherently.

I blink, sitting up, "What was I worrying about?"

And thing's progress the way they had for nearly a month.

Nearly a month ago

"Luuushiii! Let's go!"

"Hai!" I called back, grabbing my whip, clipping it to my belt along with my keys.

Several hours of a motion-sick Natsu later found us walking through the streets of a small town at the southern edge of Fiore, whose name I'd already forgotten.

We were on the look-out for a gang of thieves who had been targeting women after hours.

After a short conversation, we agreed that splitting up was the fastest and easies way to get this job over with.

So we divided, each taking a corner of the city.

And we waited.

I was walking past an old, boarded up magic shop when I heard it. It was a low, satisfied laugh. If I had known what was going to happen to me, I would not have smirked. If I could have imagined the pain and suffering we would all go through, I would not have turned around and lazily brought Fleuve D'etole out.

I would have screamed loud enough for the world to hear.

I would have run to Natsu as fast as my legs could carry me.

But I didn't know.

I turned around.

And I gasped at the sight before me. A tall, stout, greasy-looking man stood before me with lust in his eyes.

The aura that spilled off him was menacing and stunk of pure evil. The kind of evil that enjoyed killing cats. The kind of evil that got a thrill out of kicking puppies. The kind of evil that shot loved ones without a second thought.

"I'm no victim." I stated clearly, trying to convince myself as much as the man standing before me. I recognized the need to let my friends know I was in trouble.

We agreed that if one of us realized we couldn't take this guy on my own, we were to signal the others. Natsu would shoot flames into the air, Gray, ice. Erza said she would send up a few swords, though we all knew it wouldn't come to that. This was just a precaution. There was no danger.

Or so we thought.

If I were to run into trouble I was to send three of my spirits after the others. I knew at a glance that this wasn't the kind of man I wanted to battle alone. I had my pride, but this was no time for stupid decisions.

I began to back up as he spoke, "Oh I don't think so."

At his words, thick green ropes of energy sprang from the shadows that seemed to cling to him. I reached desperately for my keys, but was one hundred years too slow. They wrapped around me, squeezing tightly. I let out a strangled cry just before it stretched to wrap around my mouth.

"Hmmm. . . I've been waiting ages for mages to come after me. I could barely stand to lower myself to mugging. What need have I for mortal money? No, I was waiting for a pretty little wizard, such as yourself, to come after me.

"You see, though, I need power, and you seem to have that in spades, my dear."

I let out a muffled cry, trying to hold back frustrated and hopeless tears. I knew the others would have to happen upon me.

We were all fools. This man was so much worse that a thief.

I knew Natsu, Gray, and Erza were scouting out the rest of the town, but had little hope for rescue.

I watched in forced silence as the green ropes of energy began to glow. I shrieked wordlessly as they ripped every ounce of power from my body. After about a minute, the pulsing slowed and my eyes drooped.

The man chuckled, his "I-kill-puppies-in-my-spare-time" smile appeared , stretching his face grotesquely. The ropes began to ascend, taking me with them

Across town

Natsu's head jerked up, he sniffed the air urgently.

"Natsu? What's wrong? Do you smell the bad guy?"

"No, it's Lucy."

"Is she close?"

"No, but something's wrong. She smells. . ."

His eyes opened wide in alarm and he recognized the scent. He took off running before he could tell Happy what it was.

Fear, he thought. Lucy's afraid.

I cried silent tears as the ground got further and further away, knowing what was coming.

The ropes retracted and I fell.

Natsu promised to catch me whenever I fell, I thought. Which actually happens surprisingly often.

I was too tired to really feel an enormous amount of fear, but when the small, pink-haired figure appeared at the edge of my vision I almost mustered a smile.

You're too late, I thought sadly, knowing the ground was far too close for him to close the distance.

I don't really remember hitting the ground, but I remember waking up in his arms moments later.

"Is it raining?" I asked, feeling drops on my face. I couldn't really see or feel much, thought that was probably a blessing.

I heard a strangled sound come from somewhere above me. "No Luce, it's not raining. I'm. . . I'm so sorry I didn't catch you! I said I would. . ."

I frowned at the sadness in my best friend's voice. "No, Natsu. . . He was more. . . than I could. . . handle alone. Not. . . a robber. . . Took my magic." I breathed, trying not to be sick. The world was whirling faster and faster, all the colors of the night blending together.

"Shhh," he shushed. The rain had still not stopped. "Oh god, Luce, you're bleeding. You're really bleeding."

I tried to comprehend what he was saying, but the words didn't make sense. It was like suddenly not being able to read; the words are there, but they just look like strange lines.

"Sorry. . . Natsu."

"No! Don't be sorry, I should have been there. I should have found you sooner."

"How?" I asked. Was I making up his words in my head? How could he have just found me?

"I could smelly ya, Luce. I can always smell you. I knew you were scared, but I was. . . too late"

"Oh. 'M tired." I mumbled, trying to curl into the warmth of his lap, but I couldn't find my body. Was it gone?

"No Luce, you gotta stay awake. Don't go to sleep, Lucy!" He commanded sharply. "Happy! Happy, oh thank god. Go find the others! NOW!"

"Nat. . .su. What happened to Lushi?"

"Later, Happy! She needs help, now GO!"

I shuddered, closing my eyes. It was no use trying to keep them open, I couldn't see anything anyway. The last thing I saw was a blur of pink and black staring down at me. Even in my addled state, I knew who that blur was. I would always know that blur.

"Night Natsu." I sighed.

"No Lucy! Don't sleep!"

Why? I thought. I'm tired. Now get out of my apartment.

"Oh, my head!" I moaned, grabbing my sheets and pulling them over my head. What happened? Oh, I can't even think about getting out of bed. Papa'll won't care. I guess that's the good thing about being practically alone in the world, there's no one to care if you don't feel like getting out of bed.

"Lucy! Guys, Lucy's awake!" Resounded a bright, mildly familiar voice that was much too loud. In reaction to his words, a loud shout arose and I heard the rumbling of footsteps.

I groaned and turned away from the voice, though part of me wanted to embrace its owner.

Why would I want to do that? Who is this person so close to me and who are they calling?

Overcome by curiosity, I pulled my sheets down and opened my eyes, blinking away the fuzziness.

In front of me there was a whole crowd of people ranging in height and age. The closes one was a boy about my age with rosy hair and midnight eyes. He had a wide, toothy grin on his face, and I noticed he had his hand wrapped around mine. How does he know me? How do I know any of these people?!

I must have looked scared, because a girl maybe two years older than me with long red hair, standing behind Pinky shifted forward and spoke. "Lucy? What's wrong."

At her words, the whole group began to look worried, giving me odd glances and mumbling amongst themselves.

"Who- who are you people?" I whimpered, retracting my hand from Pinky and wrapping it around my knees, trembling. "And where am I?!"

At my terrified words a very short, very old man jumped up to the foot of my bed and addressed the group. "Alright brats! You heard the girl! She's scared, so you all better clear out if you know what's good for you!"

After about a minute of dejected shuffling, there were four people still gathered around as if it were natural that they wouldn't apply to the old man's threats.

The aforementioned man (probably some sort of leader) then turned his attention to me, his gaze softening. "Lucy. Can you tell me what you remember?"

I looked at the people still in the room. There was Pinky, of course, sitting beside me, the Red-Head standing next to him. There were also two people I hadn't interacted with yet, a shirtless boy with dark hair and dark eyes, and a small blue-haired girl.

There were also two cats, one blue and one white, standing on the end of the bed next to the old man. I felt tears prick at the back of my eyes.

"I don't know! I remember being at home, reading a book. Then I got tired and went to bed and I woke up here! Where is here?"

The small group looked stunned. It was Pinky who finally answered me. "Luce. You're at the guild, remember? We're in the infirmary at Fairy Tail. We're all wizards here and you're one of us. You're my partner. See?" He slowly embraced one of the hands clasped around my knees and drew it towards us, showing me the pink tattoo that adorned the back of it.

I felt my eyes grow wide. "F-Fairy Tail?" I asked in awe. How could I be a member of my favorite guild? I live under my father's tight reign.

"Yes." He said, eyes growing sad. "My name is Natsu and I'm your best friend."

"Best friend?" I asked. "I have no friends."

Something shattered behind his eyes, but he tried to smile. "Of course you do! Me, the famous Salamander! Erza, Titania of Fairy Tail! Wendy, the Sky Dragon Slayer! Oh, and Gray, well-known stripper and Ice Princess."

"Hey!" Shouted the shirtless boy.

I was floored. Completely overwhelmed. "The Salamander. . . my best friend?"

He nodded, enthusiastically.

"Hey! Don't forget about us! They always forget about us." Grumbled the blue cat. Suddenly wings sprouted from his back and he flew towards me, landing on my knees. "I'm Happy! Nat's cat, and this is Charle, she belongs to Wendy! We're also your friends."

"The others are your friends, too! But The Master knew you were getting scared, so he sent them away. They're not scary, though. Er, at least not all the time." The little girl, Wendy, spoke up.

"I-" I began, happiness such as I've never felt filling me. Without warning, however, an mind-shredding headache ripped through my skull. "AAaaahh!" I cried, dropping my head to my propped up knees.

"Lucy!" Natsu cried, jumping up and grabbing my upper arms

"Oh no!" I heard Wendy cry from somewhere in front of me. "If only I hadn't gone on a mission with Shadow Gear!"

"Wendy, do something!" Natsu commanded.

"H-Hai!" Small warm hands hovered next to my covered face and I tried to hold in agonizing screams.

"Why isn't it working?!"

"I-I don't know! Something's blocking my power."

"Try harder!"

"Natsu!" Came a harsh female voice. I heard a short scuffle, and then silence.

Without warning the headache retreated and I looked up. Everyone's mouths were hanging open.

My eyebrows drew together in confusion. "Who are you?" I asked.

As if in reaction to my words, a boy with pink hair jolted in the arms of another, half-naked boy. He stomped over and grabbed me, shaking slightly. "Lucy! What are you talking about?! We're your friends! This is Fairy Tail and you need to snap out if this now!"

Frightened by the intense look in his eyes, I shut mine and turned away, cowering and shaking. Who is this boy screaming at me?!

"Natsu! A short old man yelled. "Shut up! Wendy, I think it's best if you put her to sleep. It's obvious what's happening here, and her being awake will only cause her to suffer.

"What?!" Screamed the boy. "NO! All we have to do is keep reminding her until it sticks!"

"You can't accomplish everything by force, Natsu!" Retorted the old man. "Remembering you is only going to hurt her, don't you understand?"

I looked at the boy and he looked back, horror filling his eyes as he failed to see the recognition in mine.

I stared back at him confusion and fear; did I want to know this monster of a boy? But there was something in me screaming "YES! YES YOU DO!"

The last thing I saw as the small blue girl advanced on me with her hands outstretched was the sad boy with the pink hair yelling at me. "I'll help you remember Luce, don't you worry! I don't care if I have to wait a hundred years, I'll get you to remember your nakama. You won't have to live without friends ever again!"