S i x t e e n

(Y/N)

I rubbed my thumb across my bottom lip while I focused on trying to find a way to defeat Phantom Lord. I was sitting at my own table reading through magic books trying to find something, anything that would give us the upper hand.

Erza and I had taken over as the leaders while Master was taken to Porlyusica by Alzack and Bisca to hopefully be healed. Most of the guild was making plans and getting ready for our next battle or healing their wounds from the previous one.

"Okay so their headquarters is here, so I'm thinking we should try and hit 'em with some long range spells from this Southeast hill..." Macao explained to the members who surrounded the map on his table.

I could sense the solemn energy throughout the guild, especially around Lucy. Gray caught on to it as well.

"Don't worry, we'll get them back from this." He reassured her.

"I know, I'm not worried about that." Lucy whispered. "It's just... all my fault."

I looked over at the group of Lucy, Natsu, Gray, and Elfman and listened to their conversation.

"Being targeted by dangerous people is just one of the downsides of being rich." Elfman explained casually. "At least you're protected by a real man like me!"

"Hey, would you give it a rest already?" Gray reprimanded.

"I gotta say I was shocked when I heard the news. Why'd you hide the truth from us, Lucy?" Happy asked sadly.

Natsu took a step closer to Lucy with concern.

"I wasn't trying to hide anything! I mean there's no way to bring up the fact that I'm a runaway in casual conversation. I've been gone for a year and my father hasn't cared; now all of the sudden he wants to force me to go home? He's done all those horrible things just to get me to go back- I hate his guts!" Lucy shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "Still, if I hadn't run away in the first place none of this would've happened" Her voice cracked.

My heart broke for her and the pain she must be feeling right now, it seemed like she had no family and once she did find a family, we were being taken away from her after less than a month of being a Fairy Tail member. She's been mistreated to the point where she thinks that the actions of her father are all her fault.

"Come on, don't be ridiculous. Your dad's the one to blame." Elfman crossed his arms.

"Idiot!" Gray said exasperatedly.

"Uhh, I mean it's Phantom's fault!" Elfman attempted to save himself.

"No, I'm the one who brought trouble to the guild and it's all because of my selfish choices. I'm so very sorry. I'm just gonna go back home and hopefully all of this will be over with." Lucy decided somberly as she stared down at her hands holding back tears.

"I don't know about that. I can't see you playing the part of the pretty princess sitting around in your mansion." Natsu smiled softly. Lucy stared up at him with her big brown eyes.

"Laughing with us in this filthy guild hall, goin' on adventures even though you freak out all the time- that's who you really are. You said you wanted to stay with us, right? Why would you ever go back to the place you ran away from? Come on, who are you trying to kid? You're Lucy of Fairy Tail! No more running 'cuz you belong here with us!" Natsu grinned and pointed to himself.

I walked up to them and took Lucy's hand. "Almost every one of us here lost our families, we all gotta stick together; this is the only family we've got. And I don't know about you but I'm going to protect you all until my dying breath." I gave Lucy's hand a squeeze and smiled at her sweetly.

Her eyes began to tear up and her mouth pouted as she stared up at us with those chocolate brown eyes.

"Aw, don't cry. It's just not like you." Gray scratched the back of his head while Elfman looked as if he was on the verge of tears as well.

"I can't help it." Lucy sobbed as he wiped her eyes furiously.

I felt someone's eyes on us and I turned to my right to see Loke staring intently at Lucy. There's something off about him. He's so interested in Lucy but terrified of her because she's a Celestial Mage. His magic energy feels so strange.

He noticed my glance and as he walked away I spotted Mirajane and Cana behind him. I let go of Lucy's hand and wandered over to them to see how the task I assigned them was going. "Come on! I'm not getting any kind of read on where Mystogan is." Cana complained loudly as she flung her magic cards in the air.

"No luck I'm guessing?" I questioned as I leaned against the keg next to her.

"None." Cana grumbled.

"Oh dear, you did your best." Mirajane comforted her.

"If Lucy's their real target they're bound to attack, and I would bet it's sooner than later. Right now we've just got too many wounded to put up much of a fight." And with that Cana took a swig from her flask. Cana was more intelligent than people gave her credit for, and surprisingly alcohol just made her better.

Mirajane turned to me and looked down sadly. "Master's seriously injured, and we can't seem to locate Mystogan." She sighed and turned to the magic Lacrima I hadn't noticed before. "You're the only one we can turn to. Help us, Laxus."

I was about to move into the line of sight of the Lacrima before Laxus' angry growl came through the crystal ball, then I froze, staying out of his sight.

"We could really use you about now, Fairy Tail is in terrible danger." Mirajane explained softly.

"Man, Makarov is fricken pathetic." Laxus snickered arrogantly. "I don't see how this is remotely my problem. You're big girls, deal with it yourselves!"

I furrowed my eyebrows at his language; I didn't think he actually cared this little about Fairy Tail.

"So you're not gonna help us?!" Cana cried out angrily.

"Of course not! Why would I? That senile old toad started this. Why do I have to be the one to clean up his mess?" Laxus narrowed his eyes at Mira and Cana.

"Please Laxus, Phantom's trying to kidnap Lucy." Mira explained patiently.

"Who? Do I even know her? Oh, wait is it that new girl? I'll tell ya what, if you can talk blondie into being my woman I'll do anything she wants." Laxus smirked. At this point I could feel my heart sink to my stomach.

"You are such a pig!" Cana stood and walked towards the Lacrima, outraged. Mira glanced at me with an apologetic look on her face.

"Are you sure you wanna talk that way to a guy you're begging to help you? Do me a favor, if that geezer manages to pull through this tell him he's over the hill and he should hand the guild over to me." Laxus demanded then began laughing cockily.

I stormed over to the Lacrima and when Laxus saw me his laughing ceased immediately and what looked like regret filled his features, though I didn't care. I raised my fist and punched the Lacrima, the glass shattered and the pieces of glass flew through the air around us.

I lowered my clenched fist and stared at the spot where the Lacrima previously was. I felt tears coming up though I held them back as my body shook with fury and sorrow.

"(Y/n)..." Cana's eyes widened as she watched me.

"How can he be so heartless?" My voice cracked as I turned to Cana. I felt the guild go quiet as they watched the scene unfold. Mira reached out to me but I whipped around as tears escaped my (e/c) eyes and sparkled in the tense air. I brushed past Cana and Mira and walked through the silent guildhall towards the back exit.

As I burst through the exit tears ran down my face as Laxus' words replayed in my mind on repeat. I thought he loved me, why wouldn't he come back to help us, to help Lucy, to help Master, to help me.

Suddenly there was a big bang and the Earth began to shake. My tears dried up as my head shot up to look in the distance, and what I saw left me dumbfounded.

"No." I whispered.

Fairy Tail had bit off much more than we can chew.

Sorry for not being as consistent with updates- it's been "hell week" (aka tech week) for my show, which is this weekend (thurs-sunday)! Hope you enjoyed minna-san! <3