Heeeeeey Minna. So, um sorry about not updating for like a month or so. I've been busy with school but also that God forbidden writers' block. It was pretty bad this time. But I'm here now with a chapter. I hope enjoy it. =)
Anyway, DISCLAIMER! I do NOT own Fairy Tail! All those rights go to Master Hiro Mashima! I only own the plot! Enjoy!
Chapter 18
"LYON!" I exclaimed. I rubbed my eyes quickly just to make sure but he was still there smirking. I glanced over to the sleeping Natsu before climbing out the window. Luckily, yet surprisingly, his room is on the ground floor.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him once I was on the ground.
"What kind of hello is that? I come all this way to see my favorite person only to get suspicion?" he replied nonchalantly, although there was an edge.
"Last I checked we weren't talking."
"What made you think that?"
I gave him a look. "Oh, I don't know, maybe you saying that I shouldn't bother coming back unless I dump Natsu or he me? Seriously Lyon what do you want?"
He sighed and for a long time he didn't say anything. I considered just going back inside but then he said, "Wendy's missing." At first I thought it was joke, considering his behavior a second ago, but looking closer, he was dead serious and tense. That's what turned my blood cold.
"When?" I asked after a few moments.
"It just happened. The entire cabin is in chaos. Romeo went to the bathroom and found the cot next to him empty save for this." He held up a piece of fabric with a red, ten cornered star. He turned it over. It had the word 'Thanks' written on it. "Some people were sent to the other cabin's Authority to gather the groups and look for her, Erza went with our new Authority to inform the Master and they sent me to ask you for some help and tell the young Master." I stood there completely shocked for about five seconds before I sprinted in the direction toward the cabin assuming Lyon was right behind me. I didn't even take five steps before everything went black.
Not-Lyon's POV
I struck Gray on the head before he could get too far. That was easier than I thought, although I probably should've waited a few more minutes so that I wouldn't risk waking up the Dragneel kid. I guess he cared about that Wendy more than I thought. That's pretty interesting. I pulled the voodoo doll from my pocket and took out the white hair from the Lyon boy, making me change back to myself. Then I picked up Gray and headed east, toward the carriage. We got Lyon and Gray. All is done.
Real Lyon's POV
I glanced at all the figures around me, but they didn't pay me any attention as they all watched a large figure come toward us. I pulled against my bindings again, but they didn't budge. I looked to the closest person and attempted to knock them down, but I was struck on the head again. I groaned and slowly sat back up. The figure was almost here now and now I saw that it was actually two figures.
When they finally got here, I pulled against my restraints even harder. Now seeing the figures up close, I saw Gray, bleeding with a forming bruise on his head slung on the shoulder of a woman. It was dark, but I could just make out two cruel, purple eyes.
Natsu's POV
I woke up to a surprisingly cold bed. I spread my arm out and groped around for Gray, but he wasn't there. Maybe he went to the bathroom. Oh well. I cracked my eyes open just enough to see the clock say six forty five. I snuggled further into the bed and fell back asleep, knowing he would be back soon enough.
When I woke up again, the bed was still cold. Bathroom again? This time, I actually opened my eyes and looked to the bathroom but the door was wide open. I glanced at the clock. It said ten thirty. Did he go get breakfast on his own? That's not like him at all. Either way, I got up and headed to the dining hall.
Along the way there, I had to avoid several servants running around, barely even saying excuse me as they did. Something was wrong. I ran to the hall and found it empty of my father, Gray and food. My heart sped faster as I raced to my father's study. Without knocking, I threw open the doors. All was silent, no dad in sight. I took off down the hall.
I ran into several of the rooms where I thought he would be. Of course I found him in the last place I checked: the meeting room. He only came here when he had important officials here, a very rare occasion. Now, instead of officials, it was filled with Authority I've seen around the plantation plus some higher up servants. And in the center or it all was dad, looking over a map. I went right to him, pushing aside anyone in my way.
"What's going on?" I asked.
He barely looked up. "Thirteen slaves are dead, thirty are injured and one is missing. There were suspicious figures seen just after midnight near the cabins and another near the house. Did you hear anything last night?" I shook my head.
"No but Gray's missing. Have you seen him?"
He shook his head. "Well, now I know why there was a figure near the house. Alright then, Natsu and Henry go to the cabins and inform the Authority placed there that we're looking for another slave. Then go to the garage and tell whoever still has a carriage and head to the Heartfilia Plantation. I've gotten word that they've had casualties like this earlier this morning and I want a report on how far they've tracked the group they had this morning. Also, before you do that, go to the infirmary and make sure you send more servants to gather the rest of the injured. I've gotten some calls that they need to get the others out soon." I nodded and glanced to my right and there was Henry, a new recruit in the Authority. I turned around and headed to the back door where it led out to cabins, Henry right on my heels.
With the pace that we were moving at, after we went to the infirmary, the normal five minute walk took about two, even with the new amount of servants following to gather the injured. I looked around for an Authority in uniform. I saw one talking to a cluster of slaves. I went over to her.
"Excuse me, but I need to talk to you," I said, pushing aside the slaves. She looked up from the group, surprised.
"Yes sir?" she asked.
"We've been sent by my father that we've got other servants to take the injured now." She looked relieved at that. "Please bring them to the cabins and send word of that a second slave is missing. Gray Fullbuster, if you need to know who. And also, who is the other slave missing?"
"His name is Lyon Bastia. He's in my cabin, Fairy Tail." That name. It's familiar… Oh yea, that was the slave Gray told me about; the one who he had a relationship with. Anger briefly filled me until I heard, "Also, please tell the Master that we found some carriage tracks a mile outside the plantation boundaries and that we already sent a few guards and carriages after it." Relief washed over me. I just might get Gray back soon. My chest felt lighter as I imagined our reunion, filling me with hope.
"Alright thank you. Henry, go to the garage and get whatever carriage we have left. I'll go tell my father the news." Then I sprinted back to the house without waiting for a reply.
When I got there, the meeting room was empty of everyone except for my dad. He was simply staring out the window when I opened the doors. My footsteps echoed off the walls as I walked over to him.
"Henry's getting the carriage. I wanted to tell you that they found some carriage tracks a mile outside the plantation. They sent some guards after it." He stayed silent. I shrugged and turned around.
"Sometimes I wonder why I'm doing this." I froze and slowly turned around.
"What do you mean?"
He sighed. "Even though I've been contributing to the resistance for only a small amount of time, I just have this bad feeling and that things are only going to get worse, far worse than it already has. I feel as if I need to stop before things get out of hand, especially on what just occured with Gray and the other slave." I just stared at him, not knowing what to say.
"What if Gray doesn't come back? What if we find him, but…?" He didn't finish the sentence. And I didn't stay to hear the rest.
I quickly made ran to the garage, pushing the thoughts of what my dad said into the back of my mind. I refused to think that way. I will find Gray and he will be alive when I do. I just had to go to the Heartfilia's first, much to my annoyance, but I had to inform Lucy of Gray's disappearance. She might also have some more information on the location of the carriage. I sped up even more.
There was one carriage left when I got there. Henry had already saddled a horse and settled himself on the driver's seat. I threw the door open without a second thought and said, "Go." The carriage lurched forward toward the opening…While throwing my stomach out the window. I threw myself onto the seat, head spinning, the feeling to throw up overwhelming. Maybe I didn't think this through….
Lyon's POV
I kept stroking Gray's hair as I watched out the barred window as the people who took us battled the guards from the plantation. I sighed. It's been hours and Gray still hasn't woken up. His blow must've been very serious, though they haven't paid us any attention since he and that woman got back.
They finished off the last of the guard before coming back to the steel carriage. I was amazed by their skills, and they were only Bistros. I sighed.
"Who are you!"
"You don't need to know our names, but we are one of you. Don't worry. We're here to help you. Just come with us."
"Like hell!" I ran, but there they were again, right in front of me.
"There's no choice in the matter. You're coming with us."
"Dammit. What the hell do you want?"
I closed my eyes. They had only laughed at me before knocking me out. Now here I am, still completely confused. The carriage lurched forward again and we traveled even further into the country. I have never been this far from the plantation. Well, I have, but that was a very long time ago.
Gray's POV
I sat shivering on the cold, hard ground with only Lyon as comfort and warmth. I pulled the blanket tighter around me and sneezed. My nose ran a bit from the cold and I sniffed it back up.
"How much longer?" I whispered.
"Shhh."
"But Lyon-"
"I said shhh. I think I hear something." I strained my ears, but was only welcomed with hollow silence of the wood. I sighed, breath visible as I did.
"Do you think we should go look for her?" I asked.
"No. Ur said to stay here, so we're staying. She knows what's best after all," he replied, putting his arms around me, just barely giving me more warmth.
"But she's been gone for a while now. Aren't you the least bit worried?"
"Of course I am, but if we leave, she won't be the only one I'm worried about."
"I can take care of myself! I'm five years old and you're not my-"He covered my mouth. I was about to bite at it but then I heard something. Footsteps were nearing our hiding spot. I pulled myself into Lyon further to take up less space. My nose began to run again, but I knew I couldn't sniff it up. Lyon hugged me tighter and I squeezed my eyes shut as the footsteps came right in front of the tree we were hiding in. I heard a sigh.
"Dammit, where did I leave them?" That voice.
"UR!" I hurdled myself out of the hollow into the familiar arms of my adopted mother. I snuggle my face into her stomach as she wrapped her arms around my body. I felt a force on my back and knew it was Lyon crushing me against Ur. I felt safe.
"Thank goodness. I thought you were taken. Sorry for being so late. People at the bank were being difficult. I got the money, so now we can get out of here." She pulled back and wiped away my tears. "Gray, honey, don't cry. It's going to be alright. I'm here now." She smiled that warm smile that made everything better even when I lost my stuffed snowman. I sniffed and wiped my nose then took her outstretched hand. Then we were running through the dark forest.
I tripped several times and was suddenly lifted from the ground and onto Ur's back. I snuggled my face into her neck and closed my eyes enjoying her warmth. She said it was only a few hours run plus some walking and breaks to get to the border. We would make it. Hope began filling me as imagined freedom from the world I escaped from.
It happened in a flash. One moment I was bouncing from the run, the next I was flying off of Ur's back into a pile of dirt. I looked up from my position and saw the blue cross uniform. NO. How did they find us? Tears stung my eyes as Lyon pulled me up and away from the Council Guard. Away from a now stabbed Ur.
We didn't get very far until they caught us. We were captured in a net way too small to fit both of us and dragged away, coming face to face with the now glassy eyed Ur. I looked up to the cruel man that stood over her as he gazed down at me with those red barbarous eyes. He reached down to my throat and lifted me from the net and pulled me face to face with him.
"Hello there. What are a couple of kids doing out here in the dark?"
My eyes fluttered open as I was pulled out of the fading nightmare. I looked at my surroundings expecting to see the familiar red room that was Natsu's. But as reality settled in, I saw that I was not in Natsu's bed or room, my head and back were aching and Lyon was there, bruised up as well. I sat up, cringing as I did. Lyon saw me and rushed over to me, pushing back down.
"Don't get up. You might have a concussion. Lay down but don't go back to sleep. The people say we're almost to their destination. How do you feel?"
"Like I was hit like a ton of bricks. Where are we?"
"First, what do you remember?"
"I was talking to you and you told me Wendy was missing. I sprinted towards the cabins but I didn't get very far. What happened?" I scrutinized him. "Did you and a bunch of other slaves kidnap me? Is this a joke?" He gave me a sad look.
"No. That person you were talking to wasn't me. I don't know who these people are, but they're Bistros like you and me but stronger. They kidnapped us and locked us in here. We've been traveling for a few hours now." All was silent now. Suddenly the carriage jolted to a stop, throwing Lyon on top of my body.
"We're here," a new voice sounded from outside. A few moments later and the back doors were thrown open, blinding me with the bright sunlight. A beefy hand roughly took my shoulder, pulling me out of the coach and started dragging me away. I panicked for a moment when I couldn't find Lyon, but once my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw that someone else was dragging him in front of me. The man abruptly threw me over his shoulder the minute I did the slightest amount of struggling. This gave me more vantage to take in my surroundings.
We were walking into an eerily familiar forest. Everything was green, even the bark on the trees. I looked at all the people in the group. There was one particular person that stood out to me. I knew those cold eyes and shaggy brown hair anywhere. The woman with the purple eyes from the ice cream parlor and press conference gazed at me and gave me a creepy smirk before directing her attention forward. I looked away. We walked through here for a few minutes until we came upon a Victorian-style mansion. I looked at it wide eyed as the man walked toward it. This too was familiar.
Everything about it was familiar, down to the little trinkets in the hutches of the living room we passed through. I took in everything, trying to place where I've seen them before but nothing came. I looked at the chandelier then to the paintings on the walls. They were all people I've seen but haven't seen before. Although toward the end, I did see something that caught my attention, but the man turned the corner before I could evaluate what I saw. A few minutes later, we arrived stopped in front of a large door. The man put me down but placed his hand on my shoulder before knocking.
"Come in," called a voice. It was so familiar it annoyed me. The door opened.
The man pushed me into what looked like a study. I fell on my knees from the suddenness. Lyon was no different. I pushed myself back up and surveyed the room. In the middle of it, standing in front of a desk was a man no older than his early twenties. He wore a simple suit, nothing too significant about like most of Natsu's, his hair was a deep raven black with a cowlick tuft sticking up straight on top of his head, his skin pale like mine and Lyon's. His dark eyes observed us as we took in our new surroundings.
"Hello," he greeted us, giving us a familiar warm smile. "My name is Zeref."
SOooooooooo, good? Bad? Eh? I don't know! I thought it was a bit weird but once I got the idea I couldn't stop writing and I just wanted to give you guys something after waiting so long. =)
Anyway, comment, like. Please do though. Hopefully it'll help me become more motivated to write more. You could also add in some ideas! I will give you recognition and it will help with the faster update! Or give suggestions on how to make it better. Really I take anything I'm very open! Anyway, until next chapter, Scarlet out! Loves y'all!
Review Responses:
x0xalexis8: Except he wasn't there...ooooooooo...haha you're a poet and you didn't know it ;P
theabridgedkuriboh: I'm sorry it didn't meet your expectations. Here, have a cookie (gives reader cookie) I hope it gets better for you though =) and yep "lyon" ;P
Milifine: Got the update =D
6purplecats: I'm glad you like it and I hope it gets better for you!
YaoixJoe 3: sorry you had to wait so long for this =) I hope this helps =D
Guest: I got MOOOOOORE
Blackened Ice: Here's More!
IvoryQueen: Haha sorry about that and thank you. Not everyone liked the questioning and I'm glad it worked out for some =) And of course Natsu would epicly stand up. He's just that...epic XD And I'll hopefully get some Gratsu in soon enough. But first, Natsu must find Gray! Then there'll be lots of fluff. I'll give you that ;)
Pholas: no problem, you deserve it and I'm sure you will be very helpful like you were last chapter =) I'm glad you're enjoyin yourself!
Netherius99: Thanks I took a lot of time into before I actually began writing it =) And please, if you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to tell me. I usually take them if it fits the story line =) and good luck on taking over the world! Love the idea!
MusicMyEscape-SastorikuAnkoku: Thanks! I'm happy you're enjoying it! ^^