A/N:Wow. This was a long and intense to write. There will be a long villain monologue in this chapter, I hope everyone enjoys it!
(Lisanna POV)
"Mira-nee! Is this for Kumori? I can send it to her!" I retrieved the container of porridge from Mira eagerly, this is the perfect chance.
"Sure! I appreciate the help, Lisanna." Mira smiled sweetly at me, seems like she's completely oblivious, this plan is absolutely foolproof.
Upon stepping out of the guild, I poured the bottle of black liquid into the container of porridge, watching as black spirals swirled and disappeared into it. I proceeded to walk to Fairy Hills while humming happily along the way, I can finally get rid of that pest!
Arriving outside Erza's room, where Kumori was in, I gingerly stepped in. A row of mannequins donned in armours and a wall of swords greeted my sight. I took in the view for a moment before reverting my attention back to my important mission at hand. I pulled my lips into the brightest smile I could make, and made my way towards the girl. She seemed to have noticed my presence the moment I stepped into the room, fixing her eyes warily on me, it appeared that she is quite guarded against me. It doesn't matter anyway, soon she shall be out of my sight.
"I came to deliver your lunch to you, Kumori, Mira-nee's porridge are the best! You should try it!" I placed the container on the table beside the girl, opening it, I pushed it towards her encouragingly.
The brat eyed the container with distrusting eyes, before leaving it untouched. I felt like shoving the porridge down her throat for treating me with such disrespect, how dare a small fry like her! But that would completely ruin my plan, I guess I have to put up with her bratty attitude for now.
"Kumori! You have to eat, look at how skinny you are, I promise the porridge is going to be good, I have to take the container back to Mira-nee after you finish, so I wouldn't be leaving until you finish you food! Now, be a good girl and eat, alright?" I cajoled her gently like I was a babysitter, while holding up a spoonful of porridge, attempting to feed her.
Either it was my comment of staying until she finishes her porridge, or annoyance towards how insistent I was being, the girl snatched the spoon rudely away from my fingers, and began eating her porridge silently. I watched triumphantly as she swallowed each mouthful, grinning at my ingenious plan. I planned to kill her with poison, but it was too suspicious if she just dropped dead after taking food from me, so I had to use one of my special potions, it will work exactly forty-eight hours after being ingested, the prefect time span to ensure no suspicion towards me, and the only one who has the antidote is me. As there was no magic in Edolas, I relied on poisons and potions there, and had became quite the expert in them.
All of a sudden, a loud sound startled me, I spun around, and saw the door, it was knocked down, and laid on the floor in splinters. Behind it stood Mira, Erza and Makarov, I paled at the sight.
"Lisanna! How dare you deceive us and try to kill Kumori?!" Erza roared fiercely at Lisanna, her eyes glowered fiercely as she released a large amount of magical energy out of agitation.
Lisanna swallowed her fear, her pride getting the better of her, she laughed maniacally, "It is too late now! She had already taken the poison, too bad you weren't able to stop me! It is hilarious, Titania, believing such simple lies so easily and allowing me to assassinated the oh-so-important Kumori in your very own room!" she jeered mockingly at Erza.
*SLAP*
Mira stepped forward, striking her sister's face harshly. Her cerulean eyes shone painfully as she regarded Lisanna, "Your plan isn't going to work, I had already spoken to Kumori yesterday, she had told me everything, I went through your room afterwards, I have already switched out all you potions. How could you do this, Lisanna? How did you become like this?!"
"You did what to my potions?! That brat isn't going to die?!" Lisanna screamed, her eyes were starting to carry a crazed look in them.
Pulling a random sword off the wall she was standing next too, she turned to Kumori's direction, preparing to swing it towards her. However, Erza was faster, appearing before Lisanna in a crimson flash, she blocked the sword, sending it flying out of Lisanna's inexperienced grip, falling with a loud clatter on the floor.
Kumori stared at Lisanna, eyes wide with fear and shock, her already pale complexion becoming paler. Mira stood protectively beside her, a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Master Makarov who had been keeping silent finally spoke, "Come with us back to the guild right now." he commanded firmly.
"Why should I listen to a decrepit old man like you?!" Lisanna snarled.
"How dare you speak to Master that way!" Erza bellowed angrily at Lisanna.
"You can choose to walk to the guild with us with your own two feet, or I can carry you like a ragdoll there." Master Makarov threatened menacingly, growing at least five times his original size, it was a rare sight to see Makarov this angry.
Lisanna gulped, terrified by how serious Makarov was acting, "Alright! I will walk on my own, whatever!" she snapped in defeat.
Back at Fairy Tail
Everyone in the guild glued their eyes on the five people who walked through the guild doors. No one had a clue what was going on.
"Lisanna! Why are you still standing there?!" Erza barked in annoyance at Lisanna who stopped at the door.
Rolling her eyes, Lisanna folded her arms, glaring at the curious stares as she walked to the front of the guild. Lisanna fidgeted impatiently as she stood before the guild. Makarov began speaking first.
"Everyone! It appears that all of us has wronged Lucy. Lisanna had framed her, and she was caught red-handed in an attempt to kill Kumori just now." Makarov plainly revealed to the entire guild.
Erza added to Makarov's words, "Lisanna, we are giving you one more chance to apologise and explain yourself right now."
"Yes, Lisanna please tell us if there was a reason behind what you did." Mira urged Lisanna softly, with a hopeful glint in her eyes, still holding Kumori.
"A reason? Oh sure there was a reason! It was Lucy's own fault for stealing what's mine! I see that the guild has been as happy as ever in my absence, replacing me with that bitch! She was such a thief, trying to steal Natsu from me, he was mine to begin with, we even said we would get married when we were young! It was sickening how she tries to get close to him, and how brainwashed Natsu is by her! I don't really know what other explanation you expected me to give, since you have found out everything, I will tell all of you exactly what I did! I invited Lucy on the mission after I researched about the demon, I knew it was not something two of us could handle alone. I originally hoped for her to die, but too bad she was saved. As if that wasn't enough, she had to go ahead and bring that brat back to the guild! Of course, I have to get rid of her before she make my plan go to waste, I guess I wouldn't have to go through that trouble now. Oh yes! How could I have forgotten about how I got everyone wrapped around my little finger, who would have believed that Team Natsu had heartlessly kicked Lucy out of the group? They were under the manipulation of my potions! You see, I have became quite expert in them during the time I spent in Edolas, its pretty impressive how well they work, don't you think? They are also the reason why Natsu is totally in love with me now!" Lisanna admitted all her vile deeds proudly, without a hint of remorse, as if they were justified.
"How could you have become so evil?! How could you have tried killing Lucy?! Have you fed me your potions before too?" Erza was looking deadlier than ever, as she tightened her grip on her sword.
Mira, unable to hold back her tears anymore, sobbed uncontrollably, aggrieved by the hard truth.
"How could you have done that, Lisanna!" this was the only time Elfman spoke without involving something about being a man.
Gasps of shock was heard throughout the guild, everyone looked at Lisanna like she was a stranger.
Suddenly, the guild doors were flung opened, "Is it true, Lisanna?!" Natsu stormed in, his eyes bloodshot with rage. Lisanna stiffened in shock, not expecting Natsu's arrival.
"IS EVERYTHING YOU JUST SAID TRUE?! YOU TRIED TO KILL LUCY, AND CONTROLLED ME WITH POTIONS?! HOW DARE YOU HURT LUCY!" Natsu's entire body was ablazed with fury, after hearing everything behind the guild door with his sensitive dragon ears.
As if losing any sense of reason, Natsu went into dragon force, dashing straight towards Lisanna, making the entire guild heat up by a few degrees in his wrath.
"Natsu stop right now! Killing her wouldn't solve anything!" Erza halted Natsu, standing between him and Lisanna in her flame empress armour.
Natsu was beyond reasoning, having lost all rationale at the moment, he continued towards Lisanna, pushing pass Erza violently. Erza knocked Natsu out by the back of his head before he could reach Lisanna, knowing that he could possibly kill Lisanna with the way he was being right now.
Makarov shook his head sadly before continuing to speak, "Lisanna, you are officially kicked out of Fairy Tail, I shall remove your guild mark." He informed Lisanna, who was still trembling in fear at Natsu's outburst. Erza retrained Lisanna roughly as Makarov placed the guild mark remover over Lisanna's left thigh.
"I wouldn't bother reciting the three promises of an ex Fairy Tail member to you, but just know that if you ever attempt to hurt Fairy Tail, you will be up against each and everyone of us!" Makarov reminded Lisanna.
Upon being released by Erza's grip, Lisanna strode towards the guild doors as she shouted aloud, "Just wait, Fairy Tail! I will destroy this guild someday!" before exiting the guild.
Meteor Island
Lucy was sitting under the waterfall, maintaining a steady breath as she meditated. The weight of the waterfall still hurts after the few days of consistent training, but Lucy had learnt how to handle it while concentrating on her meditation much better. In just a few days, Lucy found her magical power increasing steadily, she could now keep a gate open for a longer period of time, and open three gates in simultaneously with less strain than before. She had also became more adept in her recently discovered magical sensing abilities, now that she was more aware of it. Seeing the results of her training just after so little time, Lucy was more motivated than ever to work harder.
Like every other day, it was lunch after meditation. Today, Helva asked about Lucy's progress, "Lucy how do you feel about your training so far, I have noticed an increase in the magical power you emit when you were meditating today."
"I definitely feel an increase in my magic levels, and I am getting better at sensing magical energy. I can sense Lucas' and your magical energy even when I am not in a meditative state." Lucy reported the changes she noticed in her magical abilities to Helva.
"To be able to see a noticeable increase in magical levels in such a short time means that you had a lot of magical potential before, they just weren't tapped on. I assume that you didn't train much back when you were in the guild, or your magical level would have been much higher, and I guess it is more or less confirmed that you are a very talented magical sensor." Helva concluded, looking quite satisfied with the progress Lucy had been making.
"By the way Helva, why did you ask Lucas to bring me here? Was this the potential you talked about me having?" Lucy asked, suddenly reminded of the constant question that had been on her mind.
Helva looked at Lucy mutely for a moment before replying, "This isn't quite the type of potential I was talking about, although it was quite a pleasant discovery. I will tell you about it when its time." not answering Lucy's question.
"I see…I was just curious, promise me you would tell me someday though." Lucy made Helva promise, looking slightly disappointed.
"I will." Helva smiled reassuringly at Lucy before walking off.
Timeskip
(Lucy POV)
I sighed contently as I stepped into the oasis. Letting my weary body soak in the cool water, I closed my eyes and relaxed in the silent darkness. I thought about the progress of my training, I was glad that I am improving, and Helva seems happy about it too. I just wonder exactly what Helva was not telling me, her reaction to my question just made me more curious than before. It was barely a week into my training, and I already missed the warmth of being in the guild, and I miss my apartment, I missed the times when Natsu will always sneak in my bed with Happy. Even though I always got angry and kicked him out every morning, I actually loved having him beside me as my personal heater. Besides, sleeping in a cave isn't exactly as comfortable as my bed. Eating wild meat everyday was numbing my taste buds, and I miss my daily dose of strawberry milkshake. For the first time in my life, I had to hand-wash my own clothes in lakes, unlike how I used to rely on the washing machine. The reality of living in a jungle was finally setting in, just thinking of how much longer I had to carry on living like a caveman exhausts me. But it was worth it, I could train and get stronger here. Lucas survived living in this environment for so long, so I don't see why I can't adapt to it.
Fairy Tail
(Natsu POV)
I woke up with a start, sitting upright on an infirmary bed. Recollections of what happened before I was knocked out came flooding back at me as I rubbed my throbbing head. I darted out of the room in lightning speed, only to run right into Erza.
"Natsu, where are you rushing to?" Erza interrogated Natsu.
"I am going to find Lucy." Natsu replied shortly, with an undertone of rising urgency.
"And where, exactly, do you suppose you are going to start? You do know that Lucy had left Magnolia, right? Don't be so hasty, we will try to gather information first before we set off together." Erza advised Natsu.
"It has just been a few days, she couldn't have gone too far." Natsu insisted, attempting to past Erza.
"Natsu! God knows how many train stations away she is by now, do you seriously think you can find her alone?" Erza reminded, hoping to deter Natsu.
"I will have Wendy cast troia on me before I leave." Natsu simply replied, before ascending down the stairs to the guild hall.
In the guild hall
"I can't believe Lisanna became this way after returning from Edolas!" Levy was still riled up by Lisanna's speech.
"I told you she framed bunny girl." Gajeel replied gruffly.
"I know, Gajeel! You don't have to keep repeating that!" Levy snapped irritably at Gajeel.
"It's funny when you get annoyed, shrimp." Gajeel teased.
Juvia was looking down sadly, "We really did wrong love rival after all, Juvia is so sad! What should we do right now? Juvia thinks we should find Lucy and apologise."
"I feel so sorry towards Lucy…she was my teammate and I didn't even stand up for her even when she was unreasonably kicked out of the team…" Wendy was sobbing remorsefully.
"As her best friend, I should have thought twice before doubting her, and I didn't spend any time with her since Lisanna returned!" Levy snivelled regretfully.
"Who knows when all of you have been drugged by Lisanna, all these probably isn't your fault." Gajeel pointed out logically.
"Wow, Gajeel, this is the first time you have actually said something comforting." Levy commented, raising an eyebrow.
"Whatever." Gajeel growled.
"Anyways, listen up guys, we are going to find Lucy, even if she decides not to return, we still have to apologise to her, so here's the pla-", before Levy could continue they were interrupted by Natsu.
"Wendy, can you cast troia on me?" Natsu broke the group's conversation, requesting Wendy to cast troia on him.
"Na…Natsu-san…you are up already?" Wendy glanced up at Natsu nervously, still apprehensive about talking to Natsu after his outburst earlier.
"Yeah, I need you to cast troia on me." Natsu replied, repeating his request.
"Troia? Where will you be taking a train to at this time of the day?" Wendy questioned Natsu curiously.
"I am going to find Lucy." Natsu explained with the brief statement.
"Oh. Don't you think it's a little late to set off now, perhaps you should rest first and set off tomorrow morning…" Wendy's voice got smaller as she trailed off, seeing the determined look on Natsu's face.
"Wendy, I have already decided, no one can convince me otherwise, please just help me out." Natsu pleaded firmly.
"Alright then, if you insist..." Wendy formed a green sphere with her hands, casting troia on Natsu.
"Thanks Wendy!" Natsu called as he disappeared from the guild within seconds.
Lucy…I promise I will find you. Natsu thought as he ran all the way to the train station.