The group sat down and Erza placed the paper Sting had gave her onto the table. She then looked at Lucy. Natsu looked confused as he could not see the papers contents. Gray stood still, as though he did not know what to think.
"I think you know what this means." Erza said.
Lucy looked wide eyed at the paper. It said 'Heartfilia curse.'
"No way." She muttered, in utter dread.
"What do you think this mean?" Gray asked Lucy confused.
Lucy stood up and her skin turned a deathly pale. "It means. My father is the cause of all of this." She looked towards Natsu who was in doll form, but she could still tell he was shocked.
"Luce-" He tried to speak before Lucy started to panic.
"No no no!" She cried out, running to the door of Erza's apartment.
"Lucy where do you think you're going!?" Erza yelled out, rushing after the blonde.
"I have to go. I need to give my father what he wants. If I do Natsu could go back to his body!" She opened the door furiously.
"Lucy wait!" Gray called out rushing with Erza. Natsu tried to run after her too but the doll form was restricting and he fell.
"Luce please, stop let's form a plan together!" Natsu begged, stretching his doll arm out towards the door where Lucy stood.
Lucy starred at Natsu, she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over her. She slowly released her grip on the door handle. Erza and Gray stood still as Lucy reentered the home. She walked carefully towards Natsu and carefully lifted him up onto his feet.
"Natsu. I promised I would help you didn't I?" She spoke quietly.
Natsu replied, desperately "You did! But I told you I don't want you to put yourself in danger for this. For me!" He looked at her with an adamant expression.
Lucy leaned down and let her face become level with the doll. "Okay Natsu. We will figure out a plan together."
Natsu felt relieved, he hugged her face and exclaimed,"Thank you Luce."
Lucy's heart panged.
"Guys we better get some rest." Erza explained. "Lucy here are some blankets." Erza said as she handed some to Lucy.
"Thanks Erza." Lucy spoke, taking them and heading to one of the couches. The group all headed to get some rest. Gray went to his apartment nearby to sleep, while Lucy and Natsu stayed behind at Erza's. Erza thought it was the best place, since Lucy's father was now involved and also had expressed interest in Lucy earlier. She wanted to try and keep her hidden if possible.
The sky was dark and the apartment was deadly quiet. Lucy laid with her eyes wide staring at the ceiling. Unable to sleep. Her heart pounding, thinking about her father. Thinking about what he had done.
She thought to herself,"I can't believe he would do this again. After last time." She looked over to Natsu who was resting on a nearby chair. In doll form he was seemingly able to sleep or at least a form of sleep. "I'm sorry Natsu." She said under her breath. "I swear I'm going to save you."
She stood up quietly, not wanting to wake anyone in the house. She creeped past, taking a glance at Natsu once more.
"Luce." She heard him say. She froze thinking he wasn't asleep, but then nothing followed his words.
She sighed relieved. Heading to the door, she quietly made her exit. She took out her phone and began to type in a phone number as she walked from the apartment. It rang a couple times before someone picked up.
"Hello father. I have something important to discuss with you. I've decided. . .I'll help you." She spoke reluctantly, exiting the apartment building.
Her father sounded overjoyed over the phone. "My dear Lucy. I knew you'd eventually see things my way. I'll send someone immediately to retrieve you."
"Yes father."
...
Lucy was in the car her father had organised to pick her up. Sure enough they eventually made it to Lucy's old home. The home that held beautiful memories of childhood, but also held her worst nightmares. She felt her hands get clammy as the car pulled up at the top of the long driveway.
The car door opened and Lucy stepped out. The driver then escorted her inside the mansion. The wide doors opened and Lucy was greeted by many staff members and her father at the centre. He was wearing his signature suit and had a fake smile plastered on his face.
"My daughter has returned home at last. Give your father a hug." He said stretching out his arms.
"Father." Lucy interurpted."can we talk in private?"
Her father lowered his arms and the fatherly facade on his face disappeared. He began to walk away and Lucy followed. He took her towards his study, where the last time Lucy was there. He had warned her of what her life would be outside of his household.
They entered the room and her father used his magic to shut the door behind her and lock it. He then sat at the chair behind his large desk, while Lucy continued to stand.
"So what is it?" He asked sharply.
"I know what you did to Natsu Dragoneel." Lucy accused.
Her father slowly smiled. "Well well. Seems like I under estimated you. I didnt think that you would truly be able to see souls."
"What are you talking about?" Lucy said, as she scowled at her father.
"Well you see. The first time you left this household I placed a watch over you. I have always known where you've been. Even when you thought you were hidden. But then my power over you was less potent. I believe its as you've grown stronger. I figured if you grew even stronger, you'd gain the powers I longed for." He then stood up and walked around towards Lucy.
He continued,"I wanted to experiment. So I trapped a young man. I didnt choose him specifically, but it certainly helped that his father is a personal enemy of mine. I then extracted his soul at his home and removed his body. I figured as soon as the house went up for sale a few months after his so called death. You'd buy it."
Lucy furrowed her brows and angrily stated,"How did you know I'd buy it?"
"Because my dear. The housing agent you used. Works for me. I ensured that wherever you went. One of my people would be there to guide you. That's how I've always found you." He explained coldly, then placing his hands on her shoulders. Lucy cowered away. He tightened his grip.
"My dear, I understand you have made some little friends and infact completed the nightingale ritual. All you need to do now, is restore your little friend to his original body. And your powers would grow to the point in which I can finally use them to bring back your mother."
"Father!" Lucy let out a horrified gasp. "Mother has been gone for many years now. She's at peace! You can not play God."
"I know that. I know if I brought her back she'd be nothing but a puppet, a zombie, a shell of what she was. But with your powers of healing. You could restore her to her original state. We could have her back once more." Her father raised his hands to the ceiling. "Doesn't that sound so glorious my dear. We could be a family once more!"
"We could never be a family. You think mother, if this even worked. Would want to be with you after all of this? After killing so many and using me for so many years?' Lucy argued. Disgusted by her fathers intentions. Suddenly the air of the room changed. Her father slowly lowered his hands and his eyes became dark and fixated on his daughter.
"You will help me with this task. Or I will burn your little friends body to ash. And he will never be able to walk the earth or ever rest in the afterlife."
Lucy froze. Her whole body felt cold. "No." She let out a small word. The thought of Natsu's body being burned horrified her.
Her father grabbed her hair and pulled her face towards his, Lucy let out a small scream of pain. "You will do this." Lucy felt her eyes pool with tears. A fash of Natsu's smiling face and open arms flashes in her mind. Her heart was racing. She did not want Natsu to be trapped forever.
Reluctantly, she turned her head away from her father and let out a whisper. "I'll help you." Immediately he let her go, causing her to fall to the ground.
"Good girl. Now, I will go ahead and pick up your little friend. While you are going to be placed back in the lab to wait." He walked to the door of the study. He turned his head,"Don't you dare think about crossing me." He swung his hand causing the door to fly opened, walking through and slamming it behind him.
Lucy gasped for air on the floor. Panting and wheezing. Unable to catch her breath. Unable to think clearly, she clutched her chest, feeling as though it would burst at any moment. She began to sob, her tears hitting the floor. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry mother. I'm sorry Natsu."
Her breathing felt erratic. Her hand clinging to the fabric covering her chest. "I can't breathe." She wheezed as tears fell.
