Summary: In a different timeline Lucy was also kidnapped and forced to become a slave in the tower of heaven. How exactly does that alter the adventure?

"It is love that can make us strong, but it is also love that can make us weak."

Makarov

"I-I'm sorry!"

Lucy sighed and shook her head at Aries. "Try again."

"I'm..n-not sorry!"

Leaning back in her comfortable chair, Lucy managed a proud smile. "Perfect, now all we need to do is get some confidence into you and we'll be gold."

Aries managed a shy smile. "T-thank you for d-dedicating your time o-on someone l-like me, Lucy-san."

Lucy frowned. "Someone like you is my spirit. My friend. Aries, you're worth the time and effort, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise." Her normally cold brown eyes softened as tears began filling the pink haired spirit's eyes. "You can leave now." She wasn't good at emotions.

'Hey Aquarius? Comfort Aries for me...okay?' She telepathically asked her short-tempered spirit.

'Hmph, you owe me.' Despite this, Aquarius' tone sounded gentle.

"I-I..thank you...for your kind words. I w-will never forget them." Aries managed a teary eyed smile.

"What are friends for?"

Before Aries left, Lucy saw a single tear escape Aries.

When Aries was gone, Lucy's fists clenched in anger. This was why she absolutely despised Aries, Gemini and Scorpion's previous owner, Karen Lilica. The woman had made Scorpion work relentlessly, made Gemini lose their faith in Celestial Spirit Mages and made Aries a complete insecure wreck.

So far, Lucy had managed to give Scorpion a break and restored Gemini's faith in Celestial Spirit Mages.

But Aries?

Through Karen's continuous abuse Aries was left with deep physiological scars. The spirit couldn't talk without stuttering or averting eye contact, nor could she stop apologizing and sometimes Aries would even flinch when someone touches her.

It made Lucy's blood boil in anger whenever she thought about Karen.

If she had known how abusive Karen was, she would have arrested the mage.

What disgusted Lucy more was the fact that once upon a time Karen was one of her idols. Karen obviously turned out to be the let down of a century for the blonde. In fact, the blonde was just glad that Karen was dead.

"You look angry."

Lucy shivered as a breath of hot air met her neck. "J-Jellal...how long have you been here?" She stuttered out in surprise.

"Long enough."

Warms arms snaked around her waist.

"Jellal..." Lucy frowned, noticing the scent of alcohol covering Jellal. "You're d-" She was cut off as he licked her earlobe. Red covered her cheeks, she already knew how this was going to end.

With her waking up naked besides an empty spot.

Yet, she angled her neck anyways, giving him access to it.

He took it and bit on her collarbone.

"J-Jellal..." Lucy quietly moaned closing her eyes. "I love you.."

"Erza.."

Lucy's eyes snapped open and she tore herself away from Jellal. Her eyes were filled with tears and she was hurt. Drunk or not, it didn't excuse the fact that he had called her Erza.

She didn't even glance at Jellal as she stormed off, allowing the tears to fall.

She may love him.

But he loved another.

And she knew that. But why, despite him not loving her, why? Why can't her feelings go away?

Endure; to suffer patiently.

That is the epitome of Lucy's existence.

From the day she was born, to seventeen years later, Lucy had been suffering patiently.

Being enslaved.

Losing her best friend.

Being used as a replacement.

Her mother's death.

Her father's neglect.

Her suffering weighs her down with imaginary chains. But she endures them anyway. Sometimes though, Lucy just wanted to die. Just so her suffering could stop. Her only reason for living doesn't even notice her after all.

With a sigh, Lucy shook the depressing thoughts out of her head and swirled around in her chair. She had just finished up her paper works and was contemplating on whether or not to return to her and Jellal's place or just go do something else.

"Lucy-san?" Her assistant, Lahar, called entering her office.

"Yes?" Lucy asked sparing him a glance.

"We've received a letter addressed to you." He informed handing her an envelope.

Lucy took it, half expecting it to be an apology from Jellal for some reason. Which was stupid considering Jellal never apologized, it was always her apologizing even if he was the one who fucked up. "Thanks." She mumbled while looking down at the envelope.

Her name was crudely written on it. Luce.

She had an idea as to who it was.

Opening the letter inside, she found that her suspicions were correct. The crude handwriting could only belong to Natsu Dragneel after all.

Hey Luce!

Yesterday I went on a job with Happy. We went to this rich bastard's place and guess what we found?

A gold key.

You want it?

Come get it at Fairy Tail.

You still have to tell me more about the others like me.

See ya soon,

Natsu Dragneel.

Lucy perked up, her mood lifting.

"Lahar?"

"Yes?"

"I'll be gone for a bit, you're in charge."