Chapter Seven
The weeks that followed Lucy's first mission were a whirlwind of energy, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging. Fairy Tail was loud and unpredictable, but it was also warm and welcoming in a way Lucy hadn't expected.
She'd started taking smaller jobs on her own to build her confidence, though Natsu occasionally tagged along, much to her annoyance—and secret relief. He was as overbearing as ever, but there were moments when his protectiveness felt almost comforting, even if she'd never admit it out loud.
Levy had become her closest friend in the guild. They bonded over their love of books, often exchanging recommendations or debating the finer points of their favorite stories. Levy even started going with her to a cozy little café tucked away in Magnolia, a hidden gem that quickly became their go-to spot for quiet afternoons.
The café was bathed in warm sunlight, golden rays spilling through the windows and casting a gentle glow over the wooden tables and shelves lined with books. The air was rich with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and pastries, mingling with the soft hum of conversation from the scattered patrons.
Lucy and Levy sat tucked into a cozy corner, their table overflowing with books. Lucy sipped her tea, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she listened to Levy's passionate critique of the latest novel they'd been discussing.
"I still think the heroine's decision was impulsive," Levy said, flipping through a well-worn novel, her brows furrowed in thought. "She should have thought things through instead of running off like that."
Lucy chuckled, setting her cup down. "Maybe, but that's what made it exciting. If she'd just stayed home, we wouldn't have a story."
Levy tilted her head, considering. "Fair point. But still, wouldn't you rather have a heroine who thinks things through?"
Lucy grinned. "Sometimes it's nice to see someone act on pure emotion. It makes them feel real."
Their conversation continued, laughter bubbling between them as they playfully debated the characters' choices. The moment felt light and easy, a welcome reprieve from their hectic lives.
But the warmth shattered when a shadow fell across their table.
"Excuse me, ladies," a deep voice interrupted, sharp and cold.
Lucy and Levy looked up simultaneously, their smiles fading. A man in a dark cloak loomed over them, his expression devoid of warmth. Behind him, two more figures stood, their gazes equally intimidating.
Lucy tensed, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.
"Can we help you?" Levy asked cautiously, her hand drifting toward the edge of the table as if to grab something.
The man didn't reply. Instead, he raised his hand, and a shimmering wave of magic erupted from his palm. Lucy barely had time to gasp before everything went black.
When Lucy regained consciousness, her head throbbed painfully, and her limbs felt unnaturally heavy. The air was cold and damp, carrying the faint metallic scent of wet stone. She blinked, her vision adjusting to the dim light filtering into the room.
The space was small and confining, its stone walls lined with iron bars. The faint drip of water echoed, amplifying the oppressive silence.
"Lucy?"
The soft but urgent voice made Lucy turn her head. Levy was sitting beside her, her wrists bound with glowing magical restraints that pulsed faintly in the dim light.
"Levy!" Lucy's voice was hoarse, her heart clenching. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Levy said, though her expression was tight with worry. "But we're definitely not in Magnolia anymore."
Lucy tugged at her own restraints, wincing as they glowed brighter and tightened against her wrists. "What happened?"
"We were ambushed," Levy explained grimly. "By Phantom Lord."
The name sent a chill down Lucy's spine. She had heard of Phantom Lord—a rival guild notorious for their ruthlessness.
"Why would they target us?" Lucy asked, her voice trembling.
Levy's jaw tightened. "It's not about us specifically. This feels like a message to Fairy Tail. Maybe they think taking us will give them leverage."
Before Lucy could respond, the heavy iron door creaked open. The sound echoed ominously, and both girls turned to see a tall man entering the room. His cruel smirk matched the icy look in his eyes, and he was flanked by two more Phantom Lord mages.
"Well, well," the man drawled, his gaze sweeping over them like a predator sizing up prey. "Fairy Tail's little bookworm and the newcomer. You're quite the catch."
Lucy glared at him, her fear slowly giving way to anger. "What do you want with us?"
The man's smirk widened. "That's for our master to decide. But for now, you're staying put. Don't get too comfortable."
As he turned to leave, Lucy's mind raced.
In another part of the Phantom Lord guild's stronghold, Gajeel Redfox leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed, watching as a group of mages whispered amongst themselves. His crimson eyes narrowed as he overheard snippets of their plan for the Fairy Tail girls.
"Torture?" one of them sneered, laughing cruelly. "Let's see how tough these Fairy Tail brats really are."
Gajeel's jaw tightened. He didn't care much for Fairy Tail, but the thought of pointless cruelty made his stomach churn. His fists clenched, metal scales briefly flickering across his knuckles.
"What's wrong, Gajeel?" Juvia's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. She stood nearby, her hands clasped nervously.
"Nothing," he grunted, his voice rough.
Juvia studied him carefully, her own uncertainty mirrored in her blue eyes. "It doesn't feel right, does it?"
Gajeel's gaze darkened. "I don't like it," he admitted reluctantly. "They're just girls. This isn't how you fight a guild war."
Juvia nodded, her heart heavy. She didn't want to follow Jose's orders, but defiance wasn't an option.
When Gajeel was sent to check on the prisoners, he opened the door to find the two Fairy Tail girls sitting close together. His eyes briefly met Levy's, and something strange stirred within him—a sensation he couldn't name.
Levy's wide eyes narrowed. "What do you want now?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear simmering beneath it.
Gajeel didn't answer right away. His gaze lingered on her, his usual cold detachment faltering. For a moment, he felt a faint tug—an instinct deep in his bones that made him want to shield her instead of harm her.
"Just making sure you're not trying anything stupid," he said gruffly, masking his confusion with his usual sharp tone.
Levy's glare didn't waver. "We're not going to make this easy for you," she said defiantly.
Gajeel's lips twitched, almost forming a smirk. "Good," he muttered, stepping back toward the door. But as he turned to leave, the strange feeling in his chest remained, unsettling him in a way he couldn't explain.
Lucy and Levy sat slumped against the damp, cold wall, their whispered plans for escape stalling at the sound of approaching footsteps. The heavy iron door creaked open, and three Phantom Lord mages stepped inside, their presence suffocating the already oppressive atmosphere.
"Well, well," the leader of the group sneered, his armor glinting faintly in the dim light. "Fairy Tail's finest—though you don't look so fine now."
Lucy straightened, wincing at the pull of the glowing restraints around her wrists. "What do you want?" she demanded, her voice laced with defiance despite the ache in her body.
Another mage, wiry with jagged tattoos crisscrossing his arms, smirked. "Just following orders, sweetheart. The boss said we couldn't kill you... but he didn't say we had to be nice."
Levy stiffened beside her, her gaze darting to the mages as they advanced. "We're not going to make this easy for you," she said, her voice trembling slightly but resolute.
The third mage, a hulking man with a scar across his face, cracked his knuckles. "Good. I like it when they struggle."
As the mages closed in, Lucy and Levy exchanged a quick look. Without magic, they had no choice but to fight back with brute force. Lucy's heart raced, but she refused to let fear win.
The wiry mage lunged first, aiming for Levy. She ducked at the last second, swinging her bound wrists upward to block his attack. The glowing restraints burned against her skin, but she ignored the pain, shoving him back with all her strength.
"Levy!" Lucy shouted, pushing herself to her feet. She turned just in time to see the hulking mage charge toward her.
He swung a heavy fist, and Lucy barely managed to dodge, stumbling backward into the cold stone wall. Desperation fueled her movements as she kicked out, her boot connecting with his shin.
"Not bad," he growled, barely fazed. "But not good enough."
Levy, meanwhile, was grappling with the wiry mage, her smaller frame straining against his wiry strength. She managed to twist her body, driving her shoulder into his chest and knocking him off balance.
"Stay down!" Levy shouted, her voice shaking.
The lead mage, watching with an amused smirk, finally stepped forward. "Enough playing around," he said, drawing a blade from his belt. "Let's see how much fight you have left."
Lucy darted toward Levy, placing herself between her friend and the advancing mage. Her arms ached from the restraints, and her breath came in ragged gasps, but she stood her ground.
"You're not touching her," Lucy spat, her voice firm.
The mage raised his blade, smirking. "And what are you going to do about it, princess?"
Before he could strike, Lucy lunged forward, using the last of her strength to slam her shoulder into his chest. He staggered back, the blade of the knife slicing into her arm as the force sent her tumbling to the ground.
The room was chaos. Lucy's lip was split, and blood trickled down her chin she had a gash on her arm that was bleeding heavily from the knife wound. Levy clutched her arm, her shoulder bleeding from a scrape caused by the wiry mage's nails. Despite their injuries, they stood side by side, glaring defiantly at their captors.
The lead mage wiped his mouth, his smirk replaced with irritation. "You've got guts. I'll give you that. But guts won't get you out of here."
Lucy glanced at Levy, then at her waist, where her celestial keys remained hidden beneath her clothes. Her mind raced. She couldn't summon much, not with the restraints, but maybe—just maybe—she could summon one spirit.
"Levy," she whispered. "I'm going to get help."
Levy nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Do it."
Lucy's fingers trembled as she grasped the key. She focused all her energy, ignoring the searing pain from the restraints. "Open... Gate of the Canis Minor! Nikora!"
The glow was faint, but in a flash of light, the small, starry Plue appeared.
The mages blinked in surprise, momentarily distracted.
"Plue," Lucy whispered, her voice hoarse. "Get help. Go to the guild."
The little spirit chirped, his tiny form trembling but determined. He waddled quickly toward the door, slipping through a crack before the mages could react.
The lead mage snarled, rounding on Lucy. "What did you just do?"
Lucy glared at him, her chest heaving. "Something you'll regret."
Plue darted through the dense forest, his tiny legs moving in a blur. The underbrush tugged at his starry frame, but he was nimble, weaving around thick roots and leaping over small rocks without hesitation. The faint light of the setting sun filtered through the trees, casting golden rays that dappled the forest floor.
The little spirit's breaths came in short bursts, but he didn't stop. His round eyes sparkled with determination, his small body radiating an unwavering resolve. Lucy and Levy needed him. They were counting on him.
When he stumbled over a root, he tumbled forward, landing face-first in the dirt. For a moment, he stayed still, his body trembling. Then, with a soft chirp of encouragement to himself, he pushed back to his feet, shaking off the dirt.
"Puu!" he chirped, more determined than ever. He picked up the pace, the thought of Lucy's voice and her urgent plea pushing him forward.
Back in the Fairy Tail guild hall, Natsu and Gray were in their usual spot—nose-to-nose in yet another shouting match, flames and frost crackling in the air between them.
"I'm telling you, Ice Princess, you can't just go freezing people's drinks!" Natsu barked, his fists clenched and ready to swing.
"It was an accident, Flame Brain!" Gray snapped back, his shirt nowhere to be seen.
"Accident my—"
The guild doors burst open with a loud creak, cutting off their argument. Heads turned as Plue tumbled into the room, his tiny body panting heavily.
"Plue?" Natsu straightened, his flames flickering out as he stared at the frantic little spirit.
Plue stumbled forward, grabbing onto Natsu's scarf with his tiny hands and tugging urgently. "Puu! Puu!" he chirped, pointing toward the horizon.
"What's wrong?" Natsu asked, his brow furrowing. "Where's Lucy?"
Plue let go of his scarf and gestured wildly, bouncing on his feet and chirping in a frantic rhythm.
"What's he saying?" Gray asked, stepping closer, his earlier annoyance replaced with concern.
Happy fluttered down from a nearby table, his wings flapping as he landed beside Plue. "I think he's saying Lucy and Levy need help!"
"What?" Gray straightened, his brow furrowing. "What happened to them?"
Plue chirped faster, bouncing on the spot as he pointed again toward the horizon.
Natsu's expression darkened, and a low growl rumbled from his chest. "Lucy's in trouble," he muttered, the flames sparking back to life around his fists.
"Are you sure?" Gray asked, his icy magic faintly crackling at his fingertips.
"Of course I'm sure!" Natsu snapped, grabbing Plue and standing abruptly. "Why else would he be here acting like this? Something happened to them!"
Erza, who had been observing the commotion quietly from her table, rose to her feet, the scrape of her chair drawing everyone's attention. "If Lucy and Levy are in trouble, we need to act immediately."
"What kind of trouble, though?" Mirajane asked, her voice soft but her concern clear. "Do we even know where they are?"
Natsu turned to Plue, holding the little spirit up. "You know where they are, don't you?"
Plue nodded vigorously, chirping and pointing again.
"Then we follow him," Natsu said, already heading for the door.
Gray frowned but moved to follow. "We don't even know what we're walking into."
"Doesn't matter," Natsu growled, his voice low and fierce. "Lucy's out there, and I'm not sitting around waiting to find out what happened."
Erza adjusted the hilt of her sword, her expression steely. "We'll prepare for anything. Let's go."
The guild hall buzzed with intensity, the usual hum of chatter replaced by the focused urgency of a guild preparing for action. Members scrambled to gather supplies—medical supplies, weapons, while quiet murmurs of concern passed between them.
Cana stood at her usual spot near the bar, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Whoever messed with them is gonna regret it," she muttered, sliding her deck of enchanted cards from her belt and shuffling them with a practiced flick of her wrist. Her usual easygoing demeanor was gone, replaced by a sharp edge of determination.
Nearby, Mirajane and Lisanna exchanged quick words of encouragement before joining the group heading toward the door. Even Elfman, his large frame towering over the others, grabbed his bag and muttered something about protecting family.
Makarov climbed onto the bar, his presence commanding the room. His small figure seemed to grow larger as he surveyed his children. "Bring them home," he said, his voice steady and filled with quiet power. "Fairy Tail doesn't leave anyone behind."
Natsu stood near the center of the room, flames flickering to life around his hands, brighter and hotter than usual. His sharp eyes were locked on Plue, who chirped and gestured urgently toward the forest.
"Where's Lucy?" Natsu growled, his voice rougher than usual, almost guttural. His flames surged, licking at the air around him as if reflecting the turmoil inside.
Gray, standing nearby, frowned. "We don't know yet, Flame Brain. That's why we're going to find her."
"She's in danger," Natsu snapped, his fists clenching. His gaze darted to Plue, who chirped again and pointed frantically. "You don't get it, Gray. I can feel it."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "Feel it?"
Before Natsu could answer, Happy flitted to his side, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "It's the bond," the Exceed said softly. "Lucy's important to him."
Natsu's flames flared brighter, his jaw tightening as his breathing grew heavier. His pupils narrowed slightly, almost slitted, and the faintest outline of scales shimmered on his forearms before disappearing.
Gray took a step back, his usual smirk replaced with a look of unease. "Alright, Natsu. Let's get her back."
Natsu growled low in his throat, the sound more dragon than human. He turned to Plue, his voice a rough command. "Lead the way."
With Plue guiding them, Fairy Tail charged out of Magnolia. The late sun cast fiery streaks across the sky, its golden light filtering through the trees as the guild plunged into the forest. Shadows stretched long and ominous, but the resolve in their hearts burned brighter.
Cana ran her thumb along the edge of her cards, her expression unreadable as she fell into step with Erza and Gray. Mirajane walked with quiet determination, her hands glowing faintly with magical energy. Even the typically playful Happy stayed focused, his wings beating steadily as he hovered above Natsu's shoulder.
At the front of the group, Natsu marched with single-minded purpose, his flames burning hotter and wilder with every step. His usual relaxed expression, replaced by a scowl of pure fury. Every fiber of his being screamed to move faster, to find her before it was too late.
"Lucy," he growled under his breath, his fists crackling with energy. The thought of her hurt—or worse—sent a primal surge of rage through him. His flames flared again, and for a moment, his footsteps left scorch marks on the forest floor.
"Easy, Natsu," Erza said, her calm voice cutting through the tension. "We'll find them."
"She's my—" Natsu stopped himself, his voice catching. He shook his head, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'm not letting anything happen to her."
Gray glanced at him but chose not to comment, though the look on his face suggested he was starting to understand.
As the forest grew darker, Plue's small, glowing form remained their guide, darting between trees and chirping encouragingly. The guild pressed on, their unity and determination as strong as ever.
"Hang on, Lucy," Natsu muttered, his voice low and fierce. "I'm coming."