BROKEN AND BRUISED

CHAPTER 7

The jail at the council's headquarters was divided into corridors of many, many cells. In one particular corridor lay the Oracion Seis members and Jellal. Each had a magic sealing cell of their own. In the cell closest to the door lay a sleeping poison dragon on his bed, while the others were either staring into walls or reading, Cobra was enjoying his nap.

That is until he heard a commotion from the outside, then saw guards running everywhere. This picked the interest of all the prisoners there, a guard passed in front of Cobra's cell that he was quick to stop.

"The fuck is going on here?" Cobra didn't like the fact that they disturbed him from his nap.

The guard was sweating a lot from all this running and his emotions were hanging by a thread "It ain't your fucking business dipshit."

Now Cobra was angry, first they wake him from his nap, then they treat him like crap even though he was being nice to him, he didn't say anything bad about the guard, even though he wanted to. Ever since he met Sunshine he could feel his personality changing, and that earned him the title of the pussy from the other inmates, only because he was becoming nicer… a bit.

But before he could do anything, a voice interrupted the little showdown that was about to happen "Actually, it is his business." Lahar came in looking awfully shook, as if he just escaped a near death experience, he looked grimly at Cobra and instantly the poison slayer knew he wasn't going to like this.

Lahar stepped forward in front of his cell and dismissed the other guard. In his hand he held a paper that he was nervously playing with, he gulped and looked at the slayer, the look of terror flashed in his eyes but he quickly masked it away. Unfortunately Cobra caught on to it and now he was definite that he wasn't going to like this.

Lahar cleared his throat and began speaking "Today at noon, the Tenroujima Island has been attacked by the Seven Kin Of Purgatory."

Cobra sunk back in his bed, and the other prisoners listened in on the conversation…

"After their loss, Fairy Tail members were resting when a-"he gulped, he couldn't continue his sentence, he still couldn't believe it even happened.

"When a…?" Cobra asked knowing that he will regret asking that question.

"When a dragon attacked the island."

The whole section quieted at the mention of a dragon, even the members of the Oracion Seis and Jellal listened in on the conversation with wide eyes.

Cobra's whole body went numb, he looked at Lahar to see if the man was truthful and did the mistake of listening to his soul, Cobra could sense that the soul of this man was shivering with fear.

"Wh-"his voice was shattering so he cleared his throat "Who was on the island?"

The thing is, that Cobra already knew who was on the island, because the last time Sunshine came to see him she told him all about it, the S-class exam, the participants and more. So he knew that the Iron head, Greenie, Fairy woman and the freak were there, but for whatever reason, he needed confirmation from Lahar.

Lahar was looking at Cobra with a blank expression, in reality he didn't know what to tell him, because he feared his reaction the most. It was not past on him the change in Cobra's character these past few months, and he knew the cause of it. But he was sure that Cobra right now wanted to know the truth, so he gripped the paper he was holding in his hand and looked down at it "The occupants of the island were the following… the master of Fairy Tail, Makarov, the participants Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Elfman Strauss, Cana Alberano, Freed Justine" at the mention of Freed a small growl escaped Cobra, nevertheless Lahar continued "Levy McGarden and their partners Happy, Loke" another growl came out from Cobra this time was stronger "Lisanna Strauss, Evergreen" a hiss was heard "Panther Lily, Bickslow, Wendy and Gaje-"

Lahar didn't have time to continue because Cobra charged at his cell's door, Lahar jumped back in shock and soon later put his hands on his ears for protection because Cobra let out the loudest dragon roar that some guards thought Acnologia came back to finish them off.

Lahar looked at the man before him, no the term man shouldn't be used to describe Cobra at the moment, for he turned completely into a monster. Purplish scales covered both of his hands, and some were evident on his face, but his eyes, his eyes were purely white and wide, as for his fangs, they were showing fully and he was heaving.

Midnight, Angel, Racer, Hoteye, all looked at Cobra with fear in their eyes. It reminded Angel of the time she made fun of the blonde, then all of a sudden Cobra transformed and threatened her, ever since then she kept her mouth shut and didn't dare ever talk about his visitor again. But back then was nothing like right now, now it appears as if something horrible has happened to the blonde, and Angel can't say she's sad about that.

"Cobra you need to calm dow-"

"WHERE THE FUCK IS SHE?!" Cobra roared and the whole floor shook, it seemed as if his cell wasn't enough for him at all.

"She wasn't on the island-"Lahar tried to hurriedly interject but Cobra was not having it.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I FUCKING MEAN!" his fist dug in the cell door that cracked under the pressure.

Lahar quickly called for backup but he feared if it would be enough. Cobra continued his ruthless beating on the door, it was about to break when he felt the magic dampening level increase in his cell, but even with all the pressure that's building up on his body, he continued punching the door, he couldn't see anything in front of him, he couldn't feel the pain that build up from his constant contact of fists with steel. He only wanted one thing, and it is to see his kin, his little sister… that is all alone now.

A while later he started to feel tired and his eyes were dropping, he looked up and saw Lahar still standing there then he lowered his head "You don't understand…" he whispered but Lahar caught on to his words, Cobra lifted his head and Lahar noticed the lone tear that spilled from his good eye "She's all alone now."

That was the last thing Cobra said before passing out, his body giving in to the pressure of the magic dampeners, while Lahar stood there unable to fathom how much a single person could have this much effect on a criminal. He commanded the guards to transport him into a different cell, and the guards quickly got to it. Lahar felt sorry for the man, but he couldn't do anything to help him. He could only search for the missing people, and that was what he was going to do.

XXX

Four months have passed, Lucy was now beginning her ninth month, but she didn't feel excited about giving birth at the moment. She looked around the empty cabin and felt her eyes prickling with tears.

She hid her face with her hands and began sobbing, even after all the nights she cried, she still had some tears to spare. A small kick let her remove her hands from her face to look down at her enormous belly. After eight months of being pregnant the blonde now could barely fit through the door. She ran a hand over her belly and gave it a small smile.

"If your uncle saw me right now he would say 'Bunny, stop crying! How many times have I told you so!'" she gave a dry giggle "And the funny thing is…" she whispered "If he was here…" she chocked back a sob "I wouldn't even be crying." And the tears once again flown down her face.

She couldn't stop crying whenever she remembered her brother and the Raijinshuu. She remembered what Loke told her that day he came coughing and crying to her.

"Princess, a- a dragon came and it- it abolished the whole island Princess. They are all gone!"

She could never forget her loyal spirit's crying face, or the note that Gajeel left her with the key. She keeps the note on her desk near her bed.

She got up on her feet to go to her room, she felt that she needed to read that letter again. Passing his door, she stopped and looked at it being closed. His door was never closed so that if she ever needed anything he would be able to hear her. She always made fun of the fact that he is a dragon slayer, he doesn't need to keep his door open at all times, because he would hear her anyway. But he always said that it made him feel better that way if there ever was a problem, he would get there faster to protect her.

She never thought that she would hate the sight of his door closed so much. She put a shaking hand on her aching heart and closed her eyes tightly, she needed to control her emotions or else she would have a set back like she did a couple months ago.

That night she was crying so much that she fainted. Loke opened his gate and took her to the hospital, there the doctor told the blonde that right now she is in a critical state, so she should always watch out for her emotions, because another mishap could very well lead to a miscarriage.

She slowly reached out for his door knob and turned it. The door creaking because of not being open for a while, she slowly pushed it open and walked in.

Bare, his room was bare. All his stuff were locked away in the attic, she didn't agree with this, but after the warning she got from the doctor two months ago, Loke thought it was necessary for her to detach herself from this pain. She shook her head while she remembered that day.

"You can't do this to me Loke, this is all I have left of him." She yelled as the tears ran down her red face.

He looked apologetically at her and shook his head no "Princess you know we have to! You know what the doctor said."

"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT THE DOCTOR SAID-"

"Then you don't care about the children that your brother worked hard to provide for and ensure security to?" he whispered to her, he knew it was a cheap shot and unfair because he knows how much Lucy cares for her kids.

She looked taken aback by what he said and sunk down on the floor while crying "This is not fair…"

He crouched down beside her and held her "I know it isn't. You didn't have time to adjust after your incident, and then comes this. But Princess can you tell me that you won't cry every time you see his stuff? After you smell him in the room? Can you?"

The blonde knew that he was right, and as she watched him and Virgo clear out the room, she felt as if she was losing Gajeel all over again.

She let out a heavy breath and walked out of the room closing the door gently behind her. She walked down the stairs knowing that if she read the letter, she would cry again.

Arriving at the living room, she laid down on the couch for she already felt exhausted. She heard footsteps approaching the door but thought nothing of it, she already knew who it was.

Loke opened the door and closed it gently behind him, she looked at his tired figure holding all kinds of grocery bags, she was about to get up and help when he shook his head and said "Don't you dare."

He laid them on the kitchen floor and started unpacking. After he was done he came back holding two ice creams bowls, one of chocolate and one of strawberry with two spoons.

He looked at her then at her belly "What would the trio like today?" he gave her a small smile that she couldn't help but replicate.

"Chocolate!" she exclaimed with a genuine smile.

He chuckled and handed her the ice cream with the spoon. These past four months, Loke has been opening his own gate to not drain his princess's magic. He also started taking up jobs so he could provide for Lucy, Virgo pops up always to clean the house and cook for the blonde. These past few months Lucy been barely able to move because of the constant drain.

"After all this while, I still haven't gotten used to you in casual clothes you know." He looked at his princess who was smiling warmly at him.

"You are remarkable princess."

She looked confusingly at him "What do you mean?"

He glanced at her then shook his head "Never mind about what it means, just know that you are." In fact Loke was astonished that she was able to smile after what happened these last couple of months, he himself had found it hard to do so, but whenever he looked at her, he saw her always smiling warmly at him.

"It's because it's easier."

"Hmm, what do you mean Princess?" he asked her perplexed.

She winked at him "Never mind about what it means, just know that it is." She giggled at his pout.

"I should have seen it coming." That made her laugh a bit harder.

After she finished laughing she turned towards him "It means, that smiling is way easier than crying all day and night, I tried both and I like this way better."

"How did you-"

"You always look at me when I'm smiling with sadness in your eyes, so I figured it must be it."

What he had been doing came full force to him and he was quick to apologize "I'm sorry Princess I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I will-"

"Loke." He quieted and look at his princess.

"Don't apologize about it. You know these past few months, I wouldn't have made it if it weren't for you guys, I don't want you to hide your sadness from me Loke, you don't have to act like nothing happened. I'm doing so because I have to, but you went through something terrible Loke, so don't act like it didn't happen, it will only haunt you like I know it will haunt me later."

He gave her a curt nod and returned to his ice cream, he didn't like talking about what happened back then, because it still terrifies him till now.

The blonde finished her bowl and got up to put it in the sink, Loke was about to stand when the blonde stopped him "Would you please allow me to put it in the sink? I am starting to forget what my legs are for." She giggled at the last bit, he gave her a small smile and helped her there.

"So, the usual for today?" he questioned the blonde.

"Yup I am already dressed." She wore a simple black dress with a coat on top because it was cold.

"Alright let me jus-"

"Loke, sweetie you look like you're about to drop from the fatigue, please go back and tell Corvus to come."

"It's alright Prin-", she put her hand on his cheek and caressed it, "Please Loke."

He let out a heavy breath and kissed the inside of her palm "Alright Princess, but please be careful."

She chuckled "This is Corvus we're talking about, as far as I'm concerned he could be your twin."

He laughed a bit and disappeared in a shower of gold flecks, seconds later Corvus appeared "Do never compare me to Kitty!"

"Always appears with an attitude. How are you doing?"

He bowed low, took her hand and kissed the top of it "I'm fine, how are you my Princess?"

She raised her eyebrow at him "And you tell me not to compare you with Kitty. Come on Corvus we have a long day."

She grabbed her bag and went out the door, he grumbled but followed after her, the whole way Corvus was holding her hand and supporting her.

XXX

"My god, this is… art!" Corvus exclaimed as he looked around the forest, it was the first time he ever came here.

The blonde giggled "You haven't seen my favorite yet."

She led him through the forest and straight to a tree, he looked up and gasped. It was of a man holding his intestines in his hands while screaming.

"This is… beautiful! Who did this?" Corvus really like dark things, it has to do with his affiliation with the shadows.

"All of this, was made by Gaj-nii." She touched the tree the sculpture was dug into.

"Whoa, why though? I noticed they all had the same face."

She started giggling then it turned into a full blown laughter "You would never believe why…"

Then she went on to tell him the story of the man who hit on her, and how Gajeel handled it. All the way to the ending where the man left the town fearing for his life.

"Man" Corvus was crying from all the laughter "Your brother was amazing."

Her laughter died down to hold a serene smile on her face "Yeah he was."

Corvus quickly noticed the shift in her mood and cursed himself, so he tried his best to change the subject "So where to next?"

She looked at him and solemnly answered "The cemetery."

Corvus was shocked to hear that answer.

XXX

They were now standing in front of rows and rows of tombs, in the midst of them was a statue of a huge fairy holding a wounded fairy while tears were streaming down its face.

"Is this…?" Corvus didn't know how to continue his question. He looked at Kardia Cathedral behind him then at the blonde beside him.

"Yeah…" after a long silence she answered him "This is where they are buried, empty caskets because they didn't find any bodies, which is weird, because I mean if you didn't find any body it must mean that they're still alive right?"

He looked sadly at the girl next to him, he didn't know what to say to her, so he opted to say the first thing that came to his mind "The council is still searching, so you never know."

"Right." Lucy knew that the council are coming back empty handed every time they go out to search, she knew that most of them lost hope of ever finding the fairies. But she also knew that the Fairy Tail guild was holding onto that hope like a life line, so she will too.

Little droplets of rain started to fall so she turned and started walking away, Corvus following behind her. She heard small footsteps running towards her and she swiveled around, her eyes widened at the boy who was running towards her.

"LUCY-NEE!" Romeo was running full force towards her but right before he hugged her he got stopped by Corvus.

"Lucy-nee?" he looked at her, and was now able to really see her, and to him she looked like she was about to fall, he couldn't describe how she was, after all he was only six.

The blonde put a hand on Corvus and mouthed for him to let the boy go. Slowly Corvus released the boy and stepped aside, Romeo was now staring at her big belly. He knew what was happening with her, this isn't the first time he saw a pregnant lady, but he was shocked to see Lucy pregnant.

The blonde crouched down with the help of Corvus and opened her arms, the boy dove right into her embrace and she held him tightly. She didn't even realize that she started crying, holding Romeo like that reminded her of the time she and Natsu plus Happy went to save his dad, and that made the waterfalls flow.

Right now it was pouring harshly, so Lucy took off her coat and draped it over the boy, Corvus was about to protest but refrained when he saw that the boy was shivering.

"It was really nice seeing Romeo." She smiled warmly at the boy now completely drenched. She no longer felt the rain and looked up to see Corvus' huge black feathered wings shielding her and the boy, she smiled warmly at Corvus who smiled back.

"Lucy-nee… will it get better?" Romeo started tearing up, and she held him for a second time.

"It will sweetie, it will. After all they are never really gone are they?" she let him go and put her hand on his heart "They are always here."

The boy put his tiny hand above hers and asked "Why couldn't they be here… with us?" he cried as he shoved himself in her embrace, the blonde didn't know what else to do but hold on tightly to him. After a while he calmed down, that was when he heard his father yelling out his name, he let go of the blonde and looked at her "Will you come back?"

Lucy ruffled his head and smiled "Of course I will. Now go on, your father is looking for you."

He turned to leave but then stopped "Lucy-nee…" she looked at him, he zipped his mouth with his hand and threw away the imaginary key, then waved and ran back to his father. Lucy stood there smiling while crying, she couldn't believe what just happened.

"Are you alright Princess?" Corvus asked worried as he draped another coat Virgo brought him just now.

"Corvus… I didn't know how much I needed that!" she continued to smile while tilting her head slowly to the sky as it poured on them.

"What do you mean?" he looked at her confused.

"Romeo just reminded me that they are never really gone" she put her hand on her heart "They are always here."

Corvus smiled kindly at the blonde before him who turned to him while smiling "It's time to visit someone I haven't visited in months."

He nodded his head and walked beside her while holding her hand, suddenly she let out a grumble.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, one of the three just kicked me. They are active today."

"You good to go?"

"Yeah let's go."

In the cathedral, Romeo reunited with his father.

"Where were you? You had me worried… and whose coat is this?" rushed out Macao the second he saw his kid, he thought he lost him, just like the rest.

"I was with a fairy… and do you know what she told me?"

Macao chuckled and patted his head "What did she say?"

"That they are never really gone" he put his tiny hand on his father's heart "They are always here."

Macao looked at his son and embraced him as he cried silently "Yes, they are always here."

XXX

He heard footsteps but didn't bother looking up, they can come and go as they please, he didn't care anymore. He heard the door being opened and the man coming in.

"Cobra?" Lahar asked quietly.

Cobra didn't move from his spot on the ground, nor did he open his eyes.

"You have a visitor." His eyes stayed closed so he didn't see Lahar giving him a small grin.

"Well you can tell that visitor to go fuck itself, I'm tired of your bullshit."

"My goodness, he still doesn't know how to treat a pregnant lady."

Cobra's eyes shot open to see before him his Sunshine, he was quickly up on his feet and holding her tightly as best as he can. The guards wanted to interfere because an inmate is not supposed to have physical interaction with a visitor, but Lahar stopped them.

And Cobra… he was over the moon. At first he thought it was the sick joke that the guards played at him over the past months, but she was real, she was here and she was… BIG!

He let her go and they were both escorted to the visiting room, a guard came up to put the magic concealing handcuffs on Cobra, to which the man snatched them from the guard and put them on himself. He didn't want to waste any fucking time with the guards, he hated them with a passion. They liked to play sick games on all prisoners, like Blueberry the other day, they wouldn't give him food unless he got down on his knees and apologized, and of course the man didn't do that shit.

He sat at the table with Sunshine ahead of him but before he started talking she beat him to it.

"I'm so sorry Eric-nii that I haven't come to check on you sooner, it has been a couple of really hard months." She looked apologetically at her brother.

"Don't worry about it Sunshine, I can see that…" he waved his arms around her belly and her face "Clearly!"

She pouted at him and huffed "Of course I get all the mean brothers."

He chuckled at her words but then stopped, he looked worriedly at her and asked "How are you doing? And why do you smell like rain?"

The blonde giggled "Because I was walking in it, and I'm alright, just tired and emotionally exhausted."

He wrung his palms together and hesitantly spoke "I heard about… what happened."

She blew a breath out and sunk in her chair "Yeah, if you're asking about how I'm feeling about that, I can't really answer you-"

POP!

The blonde widened her eyes while Cobra looked down the table to see water dripping from the blonde.

He looked up and asked the baffled blonde "What just happened?"

Lucy froze to her spot "I think my water just broke." She whispered.

Cobra widened his eyes "You have got to be fucking kidding me!"