Hey guys, this is my first fanfic that I have posted on this website and I hope to keep it going! Sorry if there are any typos because I sometimes change my mind about a couple things and I change it immediately and I try and look over it all but sometimes I miss details that needed to be changed. Leave me feedback about what you think and if you like it, I'll try and get as much out as possible! Thank you so much!
Lucy
Date: July 3. Time: Midnight. Target: F, 18 years, brown hair, green eyes. No threat.
She finished her work like she was told: emotionless, silent, and without hesitation. The young woman cleaned off her knife in the river before going back to the dark and cold holding cell for who knows how long before she saw the outside again. She looked in the sky and wondered, 'Do they miss me?'
Lucy woke up in the morning to a rattling on the door and her food and clothes were pushed in the slot and quickly closed again. She sat up on her cot and ran her fingers through her wavy blonde hair down to her hips before getting the clothes from the door and her small ration of food for breakfast: a biscuit, glass of orange juice, and an apple. As she silently ate, her mind kept going back to the memories of when she was free. She missed the feeling of being with her friends, going on jobs and having her butt saved, but she most of all missed kicking a certain rose-haired mage out of her room when he arrived uninvited. Her eyes started to sting, but she soon dismissed it, reminded that if she showed any emotion she would be beaten.
She was brought back from her dream-like state from another rattling on the door, a reminder that breakfast was over. She pushed the tray through the slot, and before the slot could close, she saw a note with black embroidery slide through, noting that she would soon have another mission. She picked up the piece of paper and unfolded it.
Date: July 7. Time: 2 AM. Target: F, ? years, platinum blonde hair, steel eyes. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
She sighed at the mission in front of her. Many of them have been labeled as "EXTREMELY DANGEROUS", but none of them have ever presented a problem to her. She folded the note back up and put it on her cot as she muttered, "I guess that's what happens after three years of numbing and training from hell." Her mind went back again, to that fateful mission… that she took on herself… after she got into a terrible fight with her teammates…
3 Years Ago: Lucy
She looked to the sky, trying to see if the sun had any chance of shining. After a couple minutes, she gave up. She grabbed her bag of clothes and went out her apartment door and said to herself, "Why is it whenever I get into a fight with my friends, the missions I take alone are so gloomy? I want something DIFFERENT for a change…" She had her keys on her right hip, her Fleuve d'Etoile on her left, and walked with her head up high, determined that this solo mission would be different.
Man, was it DIFFERENT… But not how she wanted it to be.
She ended up against a wall, wrists chained above her head and ankles tied down as a man plunged a syringe into her hip near her bone. She screamed in agony as the syringe nearly hit her bone and she was thrown on the ground for guards to take her to her cell. She lost her consciousness as the guards dragged her and she woke up at, what seemed to be, dawn.
She looked around at the brick cell with a cot, toilet, sink, and a nightstand. She then noticed the door, iron, with no handle on the inside, but just a slot for what seemed to be used for food and other items. After she fully came back to her senses, she felt a pain in her left hip, in-between the joint. A man knocked on her door, startling the poor girl, and slid a thick envelope through the slot.
She opened the envelope and read the contents inside:
Miss Heartfilia,
Welcome to my home. My name is Luc and I am now your master. This is a mercenary guild. No need to know the name. Besides, all clients are private. We are not well-known and we intend to keep it that way. That is why we have you. You shall do everything I say without any hint of resistance, no emotion, and most importantly, you shall NOT try and escape. If you do, the chip implanted in your left hip will give you an electric shock; however, it won't hurt you. It's a stimulation of the nerves and the mind; the nerves send the brain signals of pain, when there really is nothing truly causing the pain. So your life is not in danger my dear. Your breakfast shall be at 5:30 in the morning, lunch at 11:30, and dinner at 6:30. Training shall begin at 6 in the morning, continue after lunch at noon until 5:30, then an hour of leisure time, and then back to your cell for the rest of the day. A couple times a week, you will be given a mission, each with a new client. The note given will be a stationary with black embroidery and inside it contains details: when, sex, age, hair color, eye color, and if they are dangerous or harmless. Your toiletries, daily clothes, and mission clothes shall be given to you when the time comes, as well as specifics on the mission. I have nothing else to say except that the training will be excruciating. Rest well my dear, for you have a busy life ahead of you. Au revoir!
~Luc
She slumped down against the wall, tears forming in her eyes, as she realized what had happened. "I've been taken as a slave. I'm now a PAWN for someone else! They even have me micro chipped like a freaking dog!" She punched the wall and immediately felt a shock in her hip, causing her to curl into the fetal position, writhing in agony. She stayed curled into the wall, skipping her meals, and only moving to use the restroom or grab a glass of water from the sink. She woke up the next morning to the sound of a loud rapping at her door. She opened her eyes and realized she was changed, lying on her bed, and tucked in. She looked towards the iron door and saw a plate of food lying on the ground. She reached for it, and once she did, a set of clothes also were led through the slot: a pair of thin shorts, a shirt of the same material, a cheap sports bra, and a pair of somewhat nice underwear. She felt her eyes stinging and whispered, "I have to get out of here… I want my friends back. I want my happy, dysfunctional, sometimes screwy life back. But not before I get stronger. Just you wait, Natsu. I will be stronger than you."
3 Years Later
Lucy
Lucy's mind flashed back to present time when she felt a small shock in her hip. As time went on, the pain decreased because she had gotten used to the feeling. She had improved quite a bit through her three years of continuous training. It was living hell, though. However, it reaped beneficial results. Her body was more toned she had amazing stamina as well as nearly superhuman strength, agility, flexibility, and silence.
She changed into her training clothes and prepared to go and face several hours of pain.
Fairy Tail
Team Natsu walked into the guild, dejected again because they couldn't find their friend. Everyone else pretty much gave up, even Master – who cared more for his kids than his own life – was giving up hope on finding the mage, but not Natsu. Day after day, he would drag his team along in hopes of finding his best friend: the girl he still didn't understand that he loved. He sat down at the bar and heard a voice behind him: "Oi Flame Brain, why don't we just give up now" questioned a moody and irritable ice mage. Natsu turned on his heels and pinned his friend and teammate to the wall: "Don't you DARE give up on Lucy. We WILL find her. I KNOW she is still alive… She has to be…" He dropped the ice mage when he saw Erza look towards them menacingly and walked away.
Natsu
He stormed out of the guild like a bat out of hell. He refused to believe that she was gone. He knows she's stronger than that; she can make it through anything. As he climbed in through her window, for the first time in a year now, a wave of nostalgia hit him as he realized where he unconsciously headed. Lucy's apartment. He breathed in deeply and immediately relaxed: 'It still smells like her.' He sat on her bed, which had been unchanged since she left, and curled under the covers. He tried to sleep, but couldn't; his mind was racing with too many thoughts of her: 'Why did she leave? Is she safe? Does she still remember me? Does she still care?' His mind crossed out the last one, remembering what he did to her and cringing at the thought. He turned over in the bed and closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep.
3 Years Ago: Fairy Tail
Lucy
It was a gloomy day, after a bad mission, and Lucy was sitting at the bar with Mira reading a magazine. She glanced up from the article at the bartender cleaning glasses: "Mira, is it me that keeps causing the problems? I'm nowhere NEAR the strength everyone else in the team is. I'm a long distance fighter, and everyone is so versatile; they can do long range and short range. All I can do is call on my spirits to save my ass when something happens." The bartender put the glass and the rag down and patted the Celestial Mage on the head: "Lucy, everyone has different types of magic. To me, I think it brings the team together. Not ONLY do you have a strong magic power and you don't recognize it, but you bring everyone closer. Ever since you joined, Natsu, Gray, and Erza have gotten along better, Wendy joins on missions once in a while, when they suit her strength and ability, and everyone in the guild seems much happier."
Lucy wouldn't have any of it. She leaned against the counter and stared Mira down as she whispered, "Then WHY THE HELL am I the cause of THAT" she pointed to a Natsu with a gash going down his arm and burns on his shoulders and back." Mira was at a loss for words and then turned back to her work. Lucy, realizing that she had won her little spat with Mira, put her head back down to her magazine.
Natsu
Natsu was talking with Erza and Gray as he had Wendy heal his burns and held a cloth and pack of ice to his bleeding arm. He sighed as he looked to his teammates with emotional pain in his eyes: "I think Lucy needs a break from Team Natsu so she can grow stronger." They looked at Natsu with wide eyes and dropped jaws at what he said. Natsu tried to clear his name and said, "It's not because of this" he motioned to his injuries, "it's because I don't know what would happen if one of us wasn't there to protect her if she were in serious danger. She's my best friend and I don't want any of us to be the cause of her dying." He looked back at his teammate and she seemed to be talking with Mira. As he looked back, he saw his other teammates nod in agreement, although reluctantly.
Wendy was the first to speak as she finished healing Natsu burns the best she could: "I know what you mean. I don't want to leave my nakama behind, and if something were to happen…" She trailed off because everyone else knew what she was going to say. Natsu looked back again and saw Lucy arguing with Mira. Erza caught his attention next by saying, "Nose goes!" Everyone, even the rest of the guild, put their finger to their nose. Of course, Natsu was last. He grimaced and reluctantly got up from his seat, knowing that if he didn't word this PERFECTLY, which was impossible for someone like him, Lucy would flip. He turned and started walking toward his friend.
Lucy
She was reading her magazine when she felt a small tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a pained look on Natsu's face and everyone turned away from them: "Hey Lucy…" She suddenly got worried. He NEVER said her full name unless there was someone terribly wrong. Her stomach dropped as she heard the next words, "I was wondering if you could leave Team Natsu for a while?" Lucy realized she must've had an extremely ugly face when she heard that because Natsu suddenly looked like he wanted to throw up. He started to explain, but as he went on, all she heard were jumbled words and eventually she heard nothing at all when tears blurred her vision.
She got up from her chair, not wanting to even try and hear the rest of the explanation, picked a random request from the bored, showed Mira quickly and then walked out of the guild. She couldn't stand being in the same place as him.
Natsu
He followed. He called out to Lucy and eventually caught up. She wasn't walking fast. He grabbed her arm and turned her towards him. As soon as he did that, he heard and felt a *SLAP* across his face. He looked back at her as he held his cheek, and saw that her eyes were red from crying and her nose was running: "YOU ASSHOLE! I TRUSTED YOU! YOU SAID YOU WOULD NEVER ABANDON ME!" She yelled at him, making him feel smaller and smaller the longer she went on. He froze in spot and watched her walk off into her apartment. He didn't dare follow her. He went back home, hoping to find a way to apologize to her, but he ended up falling asleep.
The next day came. He woke up, cheek still sore from impact. He jumped out of bed and ran to Lucy's house as fast as he could, hoping she didn't leave. He climbed in through her window. He looked around everywhere and found a note on her dresser. It read:
Fairy Tail,
I'll be leaving for a while after this mission. I want to get stronger. I want to be able to fend for myself and not rely on other people to save my ass. I believe I'll be gone for a year or two, but before I go, I will stop at the guild one more time. I want to let you all know that this is my choice. I choose to leave and I don't regret it. I will be back someday and I will be able to match many of you. I promise you that. I have attached some letters to my friends:
Erza,
You are a sister to me and I will never forget your kindness. You are such a nice woman and I feel lucky to have worked with you. I am aiming to be stronger than you, so be prepared! I also promise that when I get back, I will buy you all the cakes you want. All the strawberry cake you can eat! I promise. Keep Natsu and Gray in line for me, okay?
Gray,
You're like a brother to me. A perverted stripping brother, but still a brother. Don't get into so many fights with Natsu while I'm away; it disrupts the guild and it makes me worry about you two. Also, please don't strip too much. Not only does it get embarrassing, but your clothes sometimes land on other guild members.
Wendy,
Silly girl, don't be so sad. I will be back. I will be back and stronger than ever! You are like a little sister to me and I never want to make you think I am abandoning you. Everyone needs some space to grow. I want you to understand that. Please, don't forget to stand up for yourself! You're strong and so brave. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Also, don't force yourself on missions that you know you don't want to go on. Everyone has limits, and that includes you.
Natsu,
Sayounara.
~Lucy
Natsu ran to the guild as quickly as his legs would take him and he nearly broke the door off its hinges. Everyone quickly turned their attention to Natsu who was panting and about to fall over. Once he caught his breath he said, "Lucy's… gone!"
Present
Lucy
It was now July 7th, the day of the mission she was assigned. She geared up in her usual black garb, consisting of stretch pants, a pair of stick-on pads to guard the balls of the feet and prevent noise, a long-sleeve shirt, a cloak, a mask to hide all but her eyes, and an array of weapons hiding underneath the cloak. She stood at the door, waiting for it to open, and when it did, she was escorted to Luc's chamber.
She entered the room and bowed to one knee before him. He motioned her to stand up and said: "Remember dear girl, your target is not to be played around with. She is 21 years of age, has platinum blonde hair, and steel eyes." He picked up a piece of paper and motioned for her to come closer to him. As she started getting closer, he held out the paper and said, "This is where the person shall be. There is also a map displaying the route you are to take." Lucy nodded and took the paper. She was about to bow until he stopped her and said, "My dear girl, be safe. Usually these missions aren't as difficult as they seem, but this one will be different, I assure you." She nodded once more, bowed, and left the room to go on the mission.
Once outside of the castle, she glanced at the paper and started sprinting in the direction of where the man was. While she was on her way she said to herself, "I wonder what makes this guy so different," she glanced at the sheet details again. "He doesn't seem to be dangerous. He has a fragile body and his magic is…" she looked on the sheet again, "is… It says, 'Magic: Unknown'." She stuffed the paper away, ignoring the uneasy feeling in her stomach and ran forward.
Once she reached her destination, she slowed down to a walk and looked at the layout of the house: "The main entrance and guards are here," she points to the southwest end, "the room is here," she points to the northeast end, "and in between there is a courtyard. Not too difficult." She stuffed the map away, sealing it in her memory, and headed toward the area which was the courtyard. Lucy wanted to stay as far away as possible from the main entrance because guards always have been a problem. She jumped over the wall into the garden area and walked towards the room. She walked in the shadows, sheathed her knife, and prepared to enter the room when she heard a loud *THUD*. She snuck back and peeked around to see what was happening. Once Lucy leaned far enough to where she could see, she caught a glimpse of familiar red hair, and then a lock of black hair as well. Her heart dropped when she heard a familiar groan that could only belong to him. Lucy gasped and whispered, "Oh no." Lucy did a double-take on what she was currently seeing and had to readjust her plan to make sure Fairy Tail didn't recognize her. Once she was finished, she got into her new position and snuck outside a window which wasn't guarded.
One Day Earlier
Natsu
Natsu was sitting at the bar, ordering a drink when he heard, "Oi, Flame-Brain! Why don't we go on a mission! We all need money and it'd be nice to get out again." He turned around at the ice mage and smirked: "Did you just say something, Ice Princess?" Natsu got up from the chair and went over to Gray, about to fight when: "Are you fighting?" They both spun around and looked in terror at an Erza with a dark aura around her. They both squeaked, "No Erza!" She smiled and the aura disappeared as she said, "Let's go on a mission! I have one picked out!" The two obliged and went to look at the mission sheet to see what was in store. They read over the sheet and it looked somewhat suspicious, so Natsu asked, "Erza, where did you get this? I've never seen a personal request like this before. It says that the client is private and we were personally asked to do this." Erza shrugged her shoulders and said, "Master gave it to me. Apparently a young woman is being hunted by a mercenary guild and needs to be protected. We are supposed to capture whoever is trying to kill the man and take that person into interrogation. It seemed simple enough, so I accepted." Gray nodded and Natsu nodded as well. Erza smiled and took the sheet and stuffed it into a pocket before saying, "Then bright and early tomorrow morning! The train leaves at 6 AM!" This elicited a groan from the dragon slayer as he was weak with transportation.
After a couple hours more at the guild and a routine fight with Gray, Natsu left and went home with Happy to prepare for the mission tomorrow. Once he got to the familiar cottage, he sighed and sat on his bed and told himself, "Bright and early. 6 AM…"
Next Day
Natsu woke up to a familiar cat jumping up and down on his chest saying, "Natsu, you're gonna be late! You know what Erza does when someone's late…" Happy cringed at the memory of when he and Natsu were once late to a mission. Not. Fun.
Natsu hopped out of bed as fast as he could, grabbed a few things, and ran to the train station with mere minutes to spare. Of course, everyone else was waiting for him. "Oi," yelled Gray, "Let's get going! I wanna see what they have there!" Natsu jumped on the train and they left to their destination.
Present
Natsu
Natsu ended up guarding the backside of the building and saw a shadow move towards the window. As the figure was about to jump in, he called out. He inched closer and observed the movements of this person, thinking, "This person must be a girl. Her movements are so agile and dainty. Her body is also so small under the large cloak she's wearing." As he got closer, he could see she was shivering under his touch, so he found it hard to understand whether she was aroused or terrified. He went with terrified because a high-level mercenary wouldn't be aroused by a mage she has never seen before. Yet terrified didn't make much sense either. Natsu just pushed the thoughts aside and walked up to the girl. He put a finger under her chin, and started lifting her face to him so he could see who this girl was. He recognized the eyes of the person they belong to: those deep brown eyes. Yet he couldn't believe it was her. He never thought she'd still be alive! He just dragged his teammates on missions looking for her to fill up his time, because he didn't want to believe she was gone. Yet her eyes were somewhat different: pain filled and angry. His heart dropped and he said to her: "L-Lucy…" Next thing he knew, he heard her whisper an apology and felt her fist jab into his gut, knocking him out.
Lucy
She was about to enter the room when, "Hey you!" Lucy jumped back at the sound of his voice. She hid her face as best as possible before turning to the young man. Her body shivered, not only out of terror, but out of something else she hadn't experienced in years: arousal. She cursed herself as her cheeks heated and her muscles tightened. Natsu inched closer to her and Lucy bowed her head more and more, thinking to herself, "Shit! I can't let him recognize me!"
She was trapped. Once she felt his heat, she couldn't help herself, she relaxed a little and that allowed him to lift her face up, and, from she saw, Natsu looked relieved, heartbroken, and pissed all at the same time. Lucy heard Natsu utter her name, and she just couldn't take it anymore. She whispered an apology and jabbed her former teammate and in the gut. She had just knocked Natsu out. She had to do the same with the others. She remembered a word she had to live by: emotionless. She quickly ran around the house and hit the other two members in pressure points to knock them unconscious as well. Lucy then dragged them to the wall and set them there, making sure they were safe, before entering the room.
She took a deep breath and opened the door. What she experienced was overwhelming. It was some sort of heat, but she felt ice cold as well. She felt energetic, yet exhausted. She felt all sorts of pleasurable and ill feelings that she had to stagger back to put one hand on the wall to try and keep from falling down. She grabbed her head and looked at the person who was sitting on the floor, as if she was waiting for her: "Welcome, child." She looked at the lady, and saw some sort of familiarity, but she didn't know what it was. The lady, who was starting to look more like a young girl, grinned and said, "Don't try and figure everything out just yet, the fun would be ruined." Lucy shook her head and had a puzzled look on her face: "I don't understand. Find out who you are? You don't have any relevancy to me." The girl smiled again, looking more familiar, and said, "That, my dear, is where you are wrong. You will have to figure out yourself another time though, because your friends are waking up. We have been here for nearly an hour now, yet you haven't realized it. I will see you again, Lucy." The girl giggled and suddenly disappeared, leaving Lucy alone. She felt overwhelmed and collapsed. Before succumbing to the darkness taking over her, she saw a faint outline of her three friends and a tear ran down her face.