Hiro Mashima owns Fairytail
The council doors slammed open.
"Sir sir! We have a emergency situation!"
"What now…" the head of the council sighed rubbing his temples.
"Layla Hart has been kidnapped!"
The man's eyes widened. He stared at the messenger.
"Tell me the details."
"Cesar, the man who has been her assistant, just sent in a urgent message. Fairytail has kidnapped Ms. Hart."
"That's impossible. They wouldn't…. unless…" The old man furrowed his eyebrows and leaned back in his chair.
"What is your order sir?"
"Call in Captain Lahar and Doranbolt. Inform them of the situation immediately. I order a full report of the incident."
"What of FairyTail? Are we to arrest them?"
"Just tell them that I wish to see them immediately and find out what exactly happened immediately. That is all for now. I will personally deal with Fairytail myself."
"Yes sir."
The messenger bowed and left. Closing the door behind him.
The council leader felt dread and anguish for the events to come. He opened his drawer and took out the communication lacrima onto his desk.
He turned the lacrima on and waited for the man he was seeking to appear. The light flickered and behold.
There he stared at the face of a man.. no.. father. An enraged father. The fury burning into his soul through his piercing eyes.
"Makarov." The council leader started.
"You… will pay for what you have done." Master Makarov said with venom.
"I see you have somehow regained your memories.. Please… listen."
"HOW DARE YOU TAKE ONE OF MY CHILDREN AWAY." Master Makarov thundered. "ALL THIS TIME.. YOU HID IT ALL THIS TIME."
"WE HAD A REASON MAKAROV.. SO PLEASE LISTEN!" the council leader pleaded.
"No excuse.. no reason.. could EVER make right of what you have done."
"We couldn't take the risk. Take the risk that her powers would have fallen into the wrong hands. Or that she would misuse—"
"ARE YOU SAYING SHE WASN'T SAFE IN FAIRYTAIL!? WITH HER FAMILY?!."
"Makarov please.. for the future of the magic world, measures had to be made. We can keep arguing about what has been already done or focus on the more pressing issues at hand. I believe the council has been infiltrated by the very group of dark mages that I have been trying to shield her from. One year ago, I received reports of underground dark mages joining forces in plots of changing history. I am sure they are after Lucy Heartfilia's magic and I know for certain that her identity was kept confidential. Only a handful of the council members knew of her identity. Captain Lahar and Doranbolt are the only other individuals who were aware of Lucy Heartfilia's situation. Also, Layla Hart's residence was kept confidential and was only known to the council, meaning someone from the inside has figured out her identity. I don't know how you regained your memories but this is a serious situation!"
Master Makarov trembled in anger.
"She would not be in this situation had you left her alone. Had you left Fairytail alone."
"I'm sorry Makarov… I really am. But the whole magic world is in danger now. Where is Lucy Heartfilia now?"
"She is in good hands." Master Makarov glared at the council leader.
"Then I will leave her with you. I will personally see to it that the dark mages are captured. Don't hesitate to let us know of any information you acquire."
The two men sat in silence.
"Is it true that you have sealed her magic?" Master Makarov said in a low voice.
"Yes"
"Release her." Master Makarov demanded.
"No."
"HOW IS SHE TO DEFEND HERSELF IF YOU TAKE EVERYTHING FROM HER. DO YOU REALIZE TO WHAT DAMAGE YOU HAVE CAUSED HER?! You have taken her most precious family.. her spirits.. and you think we are going to let this pass easily?!"
Master Makarov's fury bubbled and bubbled.
"I cannot protect you from my children's wrath and I don't intend to. We will find a way to release the seal and we will destroy all those who threaten us. Do NOT get in our way." Master Makarov glared at the man.
The lacrima turned dark.
The council leader frowned in anguish. He wasn't a heartless man. He knew what toll the past year had on Lucy. He had seen her from day 1. She was strong and admirable for someone who had everything taken from her.
He opened his side cabinet and took out a glass and bottle of scotch. He poured himself a glass and drank it down in one go. Bringing his hand up to his face, he rubbed his temples. In silence, he drank another.
The four trudged along into the forest.
They finally came to a cottage. An elderly man was outside gardening for vegetables while an elderly woman was watering her flowers. They heard someone come towards them and lifted their attention to them.
"Oh dear!" the elderly woman dropped her water bucket.
"Honey..go inside." The elderman dropped his basket and rushed over to them.
"I'm sorry for intruding sir..… we need a place to stay." Laxus said as he had Lucy in one arm while the other arm was slung around Gajeel to support him. Lily was in Gajeel's arms wincing from his own injuries.
"Who are you?" The elderly man interrogated them.
"We are FairyT—"
"OH I KNOW YOU THREE! I SAW YOU IN THE MAGIC GAMES! Come come. We have room for you. Let's get you out of the cold air." The elderly man led the way.
Inside, there were only 2 bedrooms. The elderly man led the three into the spare bedroom.
"You three can stay here. I'm sorry there isn't much room. The lady there can come.."
"No.. she's staying with us." Gajeel said abruptly.
"Oh..?" The elderly man eyed the girl and the two men suspiciously. Then he smiled gently. "That's fine then."
Laxus gently let Gajeel go to sit on the bed.
The elderly woman came in with the first aid kit and extra bandages.
"This is all we have.." She handed them to Laxus.
"Thank you..." Laxus said.
The elderly woman smiled but with concern. "Children.. what happened to you?"
"We.. were in a train crash. Come mages attacked the train." Lily said as Laxus gently let Lucy down onto the bed as well. She was struggling to stay awake and her eyes lids were slowly closing. Blood trickled down her arm.
"Oh no!" The eldery woman looked at her husband in shock. The elderly man looked to her in worry as well.
"Let us know if you need anything else. We will leave you alone to care for your wounds." The elderly man said.
"Thank you." The Lily said to them. The elderly couple walked away.
Laxus went into the adjoining restroom and began to prepare for wound care. Gajeel stared at Lucy as he sat next to her. She was leaning against the headboard of the bed.. Her head gently swaying as she struggled to stay awake. Gajeel studied her face. She looked so different. But it was Lucy all right. Her scent was slightly hidden by her new body. But it was there. She hadn't smiled one since they had met. Gajeel thought of an idea. He winced as he moved to find something in his pack. He took it out and handed it to her.
Her eyes slightly widened at the key ring and belt she felt in her hands. She grew a tired small smile.
"Bunnygirl." Gajeel whispered. Lily was watching the two in silence.
She slowly looked over at Gajeel with her half open eyes. The two stared into each others gaze. Her eyes brimming with tears. His eyes unwavering in their solid gaze straight at her.
"Gajeel." She smiled and tears rolled down her face. "Thank you.."
Gajeel lifted his hand slowly and cupped her right cheek. He rubbed the tear away with his thumb.
Pantherlily smiled as he watched the two.
Laxus walked out of the restroom and saw Gajeel and Lucy locked in the obvious romantic moment they were in.
He narrowed his eyes and went in front of Lucy. He gave some washcloths to Gajeel.
Gajeel dropped his hand and took the cloths. He was a little annoyed at Laxus' presence interrupting him. But he needed to clean himself and Lily up now. Gajeel began to proceed by taking his shirt off.
Laxus knelt in front of Lucy and began to examine her shoulder wound.
"We need to take your shirt off."
"What?" she asked in a tired and shocked voice. Gajeel and Lily froze as they heard the command too. Gajeel had his shirt in his hands.
"I need to wash that wound of yours before it gets infected.." Laxus said stoically.
"Waiit… wait" she struggled to get away from Laxus. She stood up sluggishly and tried to go to the restroom with the little energy she had. But Laxus grabbed her around her waist.
"Heartfilia.. cmon...this is no time to play around" Laxus grabbed the back of her shirt and began to pull up
"Wait.. Laxus.. I—" she said in a panicked voice as he successfully pulled a portion of the shirt over her.
Laxus froze mid rise of her shirt. She winced from her shoulder wound and used her other hand to desperately keep her shirt down. Her bare back was visible to Laxus, Gajeel, and Lily now.
Laxus stared wide-eyed at her back.
"What… is that?"
Lucy's eyes ran with tears.. She tried to run away and pull down her shirt even more now. She felt naked.. exposed. Embarrassed. She had not wanted any of them to find out. Laxus held on tightly and pulled her towards him roughly.
"Laxus.. please stop.." She pleaded softly..
He looked closely at the seal. He pulled the shirt over her head so that it was covering her eyes now.
"LAXUS!" Lucy protested. "Gajeel Lily help me!"
A large engraved seal was visible on her back. What was peculiar about it was that it was slowly moving. Three concentric rings moving in opposite directions.
He traced the seal with his index and middle finger. She shivered at his touch and gasped as she felt a tingle jolt through her spine. It was sensual, leaving Lucy frozen in his arms.
Gajeel watched the seal as he walked towards them. His eyes narrowed at the seal and then he began to realize what it was. Of course he knew. All the dark mages in Fiore knew.
Laxus and Gajeel stood side by side now.
"What is this." Laxus eyes darkened as anger began to bubble within him.
"It's a seal. Used by the council." Gajeel's voice was dark. "Only in special cases, the council will cast this seal on a mage. It changes their body completely and.. completely strips them of their magic."
"How do we get it off?" Laxus said still examining the seal. Trying to memorize every detail.
"We can't." Gajeel said turning away.
"What do you mean we can't. There has to be a way."
"We can't... because even IF we do manage to get it off, which is nearly impossible.. she will regain her magic.… But at the cost of losing ALL her memories.. Everything."
Laxus eyes widened and looked at Gajeel sharply.
"There is a reason why the council uses this seal on only the most dangerous dark mages." Gajeel said looking away. "You either live without magic.. or lose your identity."
Lucy stopped struggling in Laxus' arms. Her gaze dull with pain and sorrow. Laxus stood shocked from the revelation. Gajeel and Lily closed their eyes and furrowed their eyebrows in pain. They had found her, Lucy Heartfilia. But in the end, they would lose her all the same.
Master Makarov and Mira were running about assigning guild members to areas they thought Laxus, Lucy, Gajeel, and Lily were hiding out in. The guild was updated to the emergency situation. Once Lucy Heartfilia's name was mentioned, the spell that had been cast on their memories seemed to have been lifted.
A bright light began to glow behind them. The lacrima.
"Warren, please try and use your magic to get a hold of Laxus or Gajeel. If they are near enough, you'll be able to speak to them. Mira keep trying to get a hold of them through the communication lacrima" Master Makarov spoke.
"Yes Master." Warren closed his eyes to concentrate.
"Yes Master." Mira turned around and her eyes widened in shock at the lacrima being turned on.
A hooded man was visible in the screen.
"Who are you?" Mira said in a low dark voice as she glared at the man.
Master Makarov and Warren turned around. Their eyes widened at the lacrima.
The hooded man smirked.
"If you want your precious guild mates back… hehehe.. then I want the girl. You have 3 days to hand her over.. or else.. I will kill these three with pleasure."
The man turned aside to show three figures hanging by ropes behind him.
"No.." Warren said in shock.
Mira's eyes narrowed and she clenched her fists hard as she saw Freed beat up, bleeding, and hanging by his wrists. She also saw Bixlow and Evergreen in the same state.
Master Makarov's face darkened with rage.
"HOW DARE YOU! DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH THEM! I SWEAR WHEN I FIND YOU, I WILL MAKE YOU WISH YOU HAD NEVER BEEN BORN!"
Warren's eyes widened in fear.
"Raijinshu…"
"AHAHAHA! But you see, WE will hunt her down and kill every single member of your guild. But all that can be avoided, if you just hand over the girl." The hooded man smiled. "No need to make hasty choices. Bring her to the mountains west of Magnolia. You will know where to be. But let me remind you.. I give you just three days to bring the girl and save your guild mates. But for every day that we wait, well.. I can't say we won't have our fun with your friends. Goodbye for now! MUHAHHAHA!"
"NOO!" Mira yelled as the lacrima turned off. She lept forward and held the lacrima in her shaking hands. She closed her eyes and clenched her fists in agony and helplessness.
"Mira.. we must find Laxus and Gajeel NOW." Master Makarov said seething with fury.
Mira's body began to ooze dark magic. She transformed into Satan Soul: Sitri. With death glaring eyes she flew out of the guild in the blink of an eye.
Warren ran out of the room.
Master Makarov slumped in his seat. He rubbed his face with both hands then clenched his head with them. "I'm sorry my children.. I've failed you."