*Before Lucy’s arrival at Fairy Tail on that terrible day*

Natsu bounced on the balls of his feet, glancing at the door every so often. He was waiting for Lucy to show up, his anticipation growing. Happy sat at his side, nervously munching on a fish. He was worried about his mother-figure, one of his true best friends.

Juvia and Gray were sitting with Jellal and Erza, patiently talking. Jellal was worried the most, as Lucy was his best friend. His savior, his support. He wouldn’t know how to live with himself if something bad happened to her.

Laxus quietly sat alone, fists clenched and shoulders tensed. He stared at the door, wanting nothing more than to run to Lucy and apologize. He missed her...why did he mess up so bad? He shouldn’t have gotten so upset over her mission with Lila and Kaden. The two new members had been distant for the last few days, attending to their living arrangements or something. Lucy had been correct...he had been being possessive. He just couldn’t help it.

Levy was quietly sitting with Gajeel, her current focus the thick novel in her hands. It was Lucy’s book, one Levy thought was astounding. It made her eyes tear up when she read certain parts.

“What book is that?” Gajeel asked, peering at the hard-cover book.

“Oh! It’s Lu-chan’s! It’s absolutely amazing! The detail and passion Lu-chan puts into her stories is stunning! She should really get it published...she could be famous with this talent,” Levy replied cheerfully, raising the book to her eye level.

“Eh? What’s it about then?” Gajeel said, leaning against his hand.

“Fairy Tail!,” Levy smiled, holding the book out so everyone could see the title. In crisp, bold lettering, it stated ‘Fairy Tail, the Story of Lucy Heartfilia’.

“Really? It’s about us?” Happy cried, flying away from Natsu to settle on the table to peer at the novel with admiration.

Other Fairy Tail mages listened in, gravitating towards her. Natsu skipped over, his curious grin eye-blinding. Even stoic, quiet Laxus casually approached the table, his inquisitive nature peaked.

“Am I in it?” Gray asked, sitting beside her. Levy nodded enthusiastically.

“We all are!”

“Read some! Read some!” Natsu chanted.

“I’m not that far anyway, so I’ll just start from the beginning!” Levy stated, fingering the crisp pages.

Just as Levy gingerly opened the book, her mouth wide as she attempted to start the story, the guild door slammed open. Everyone’s eyes glanced over to the entrance, hoping it was Lucy or maybe Master Makarov. Master was gone to a meeting, so they all assumed it was Lucy. She was finally showing up; Maybe they could ask her to read her book to them.

But it wasn’t Lucy.

Everyone looked away with disappointment when they realized it was only Kaden and Lila. Both were dressed in a scary fashion. Lila adorned a crimson red and black dress, with spiked sleeves. It was appalling to see such a sweet looking girl in high heels and stockings as well. Her azure hair was laid down, the usual pigtails forgotten. Kaden wore a pair of jeans and his usual leather jacket. He always looked scary, though. His snow white hair was spiked, flopping in its usual unkempt fashion.

“Hey!~” Lila cooed, skipping over, a devilish smile on her face. Her thoughts were running a mile a minute, and she hoped her outfit would help disguise her apprehension and nerves.

In the corner of the guild, where everyone was crowded, no one knew what was about to unfold. No one suspected anything when Lila asked to be introduced to everyone. Not even when she shook everyone’s hands. Physical contact; It was already happening. No one questioned anything when everyone’s eyes started to glaze over. When their thoughts became jumbled and unbearable.

They were zombies; Eyes foggy, minds blank. A small smile crawled up Lila’s face. The members of Fairy Tail were now all completely crowded into the far corner.

“Kaden, now!” She burst out. He nodded quickly, holding his hands out. A magic circle formed, casting an ominous black light. A shield, or more accurately described as a cage, formed around the members. Lila sighed in relief when she could finally let go of her control.

The mages’ of Fairy Tail’s eyes cleared, losing their haziness. Their minds regained control, and Laxus glared at the force field with outrage. While some members were still struggling to regain focus, more powerful mages like Laxus, Jellal, Natsu, and Erza immediately understood what happened, and regained their control.

“What the hell?!” Natsu shouted, banging his fist against the black shield. His hand merely bounced back, useless and no damage had been done to the cage. Lila raised an eyebrow, looking at Kaden.

“He said ‘what the hell?’” Kaden clarified. Everyone glared at the two, Laxus curling his hands into fists. He had been right about them! Why hadn’t he trusted his gut?! He knew something awful would happen due to his carelessness.

After a small silence passed, Lila spoke. “Sorry things had to go this way...but, we’ll take good care of Lucy!”

Laxus’s aura darkened, and he charged at the cage, along with Natsu and Jellal. He shot lightning at it, but it merely dissolved into the endless expanse of black. Laxus’s eyes were narrowed in anger. How dare she! How dare she even think about hurting his Lucy? Of making poor Lucy’s life any harder?

“What the fuck are you talking about?!” Laxus snarled, his voice as deadly as a knife. Kaden smiled sadly, before covering it up with a razor smirk.

Jellal slammed into the force field, his magic utterly useless, as he was finding out. He kept punching at the impenetrable wall, even until his fists became scratched and bloody. He was intelligent; He could figure out where this was going. And it wouldn’t be good; Not for him, or for Lucy.

“You’ll all see! Lucy will never want to come back here...not after what we’re going to do!” Lila maniacally laughed. Laxus saw red. What was she planning? And why? Why did things always seem to go wrong for them? Was there never an end? Why couldn’t Lucy and himself just be happy?

‘WHY?’

Natsu growled, his flaming fists relentlessly attacking the wall. He was praying for even a smidge of damage, something, anything. He couldn’t give up! Lucy deserved that much. His flames were a dangerous fiery red, angry and upset.

“Leave Lucy-chan alone!” Juvia cried. Wendy was crying, upset and scared. Erza was scowling, a demon-aura emerging. She requipped into one of her armors, launching at the wall. Mira glared, joining Erza and the others. Juvia sent one water attack after another, and Gray continually attacked the barrier with ice creations.

The cage didn’t budge. Even with all of the strongest mages’ of Fairy Tail fighting together. Kaden grunted. Lila laughed. Everyone was scared; What would happen now?

“No use in trying. That cage Kaden made is indestructible. It blocks magic, is soundproof, and practically makes you invisible. But, you all can still see and hear everything! Now you can watch the show!”

The benevolent cackle that resounded from the little girl was ear-splitting. Laxus cried out loudly, crashing into the barrier with no thoughts behind his actions. He was being reckless, impatient, and irrational. He had to save Lucy...he just had to! She had saved him from the darkness, now he had to return the favor.

That’s when Lila snapped her fingers, and the entire guild gasped with horror, Mirages, illusions of themselves appeared. They were so lifelike, so real. She got the twinkle in Natsu’s eyes right, the tight-lipped smile of Erza, the shaggy, silky look of Gray’s hair. And most importantly, the same aloof, but kind-hearted Laxus. Everyone realized exactly what Lila and Kaden were up to.

“Please don’t!” Mira cried, begging now.

“Leave Lucy alone!” Natsu roared, his kind grin replaced with a feral glare. Kaden flinched, but followed Lila and set up their own forcefield to hide from Lucy. He was struggling to keep up the magic, but Lila now had to focus as well.

Lucy then chose to waltz in, her peppy smile reappearing. She spotted the illusion of Laxus sitting at the bar. The real Laxus nearly cried. He knew where this was going...what was going to happen. What could he do though? He was useless.

Everyone was useless now.

"Laxus!" She called out, bouncing over to him, a gleeful, dopey smile painted across her features. She reached a hand out to touch him but froze.

The real Laxus’s whole chest clenched, his breathing wavering as he watched her stare at him in horror.

“No, blondie…” He whispered hoarsely. “Run...please!”

"Laxus...?" She asked cautiously, her voice wavering. She stared at the fake Laxus, her eyes soft.

A shrill, cold chuckle reverberated through the illusion’s chest.

"Why, isn't it my weak, insecure little girlfriend. Or should I say ex-girlfriend," He smirked cruelly, a haughty glare passing over his stone-cold features.

“No...No...NO!” Laxus, the real Laxus exclaimed, his voice cold and pleading. He couldn’t do this to her...he just couldn’t! This time, she might break for good! What if she never bounced back from this?!

Lucy flinched. She stumbled back a step, horror spreading across her face. Laxus watched as it got worse. Illusion Mira sashayed over, and the real Mira gasped. She didn’t want to see what happened...she didn’t want to hurt Lucy! One of her closest friends...  

Fake Mira grabbed Laxus's collar and pulled him down onto her anticipating lips. They made out in front of Lucy's own eyes, both hungrily attacking each other. Her raspberry colored lip gloss smeared on his cheek as if she was marking her territory.

Mira and Laxus, the real versions, were shocked. And not in a good way. Everyone in Fairy Tail watching in horror as one of their strongest members’ crumbled emotionally.

Lucy gasped, her eyes blurring.

Laxus felt his eyes tearing up. He would never cheat on Lucy...she was everything to him. He hated seeing this...He absolutely hated it.

"This is my secret boyfriend. You know, the one I’ve been telling everyone about. He doesn't like you and never did. He just felt sorry for you...and you should feel absolutely blessed to have been in his presence. After all, who would love a vane, childish, weakling like you."

Mira choked back a sob. Those weren't her words! She would never say something like that! She...She couldn’t believe everything was falling apart so fast.

“Lucy...I’m so sorry…” She sobbed, wrapping her arms around herself, her ghostly white hair surrounding her like a curtain. Lisanna tried to comfort her, but Mira brushed her away. This was all her own fault...if only she had been stronger.

Lucy glanced around desperately, hoping, no praying, for anyone to help her. To stand up for her. To be her friend.

No one did.

"Ha, Laxus and Mirajane are right!" Cana broke the silence. Cheers ran up around the guild, voices calling out and agreeing with Mira and Laxus.

Cana bit her lip, upset and afraid. What did Lila and Kaden hope to achieve from destroying Lucy? From making her finally turn evil? Cana clenched her eyes shut. She would never be that cruel...

"I don't even know why we let you come back. You were nothing but a nuisance," Erza commented, encouraging others to speak up.

The real Erza’s lip quivered. She was known to be strong, the strongest woman in Fairy Tail, but she didn’t feel so strong right now. She felt so utterly useless. So weak; If anyone was a nuisance, it was her. What good was strength if she couldn’t even save her best friend?!

“Lucy...I’m so sorry! I’m sorry for being so weak! I’m the nuisance!” Erza shuddered out, tears glazing along her cheeks.

"I don't know why I ever cared about you! You are just dead weight. I should have never brought you to Fairy Tail!" Natsu snarled, Gray laughed.

The real Natsu snarled and cried, beating at the cage like an insane person. He was radiating anger, and all he wanted to do was make Lucy’s pain go away. He couldn’t let it end like this.

“Luce! Run! It’s not us! Please, you have to!”

"We didn't even like you! As if we need some pretty, princess brat in our guild! I mean look at you!" Gray snickered, a mocking sneer on his face.

The real Gray flinched like he had been slapped. He didn’t think of Lucy like that! Lucy was amazing. She was the reason Juvia and him were together, the reason he had realized how amazing his girlfriend truly was. Lucy was his teammate, one of his closest friends...He would never hurt her like this. None of them would!

"Juvia agrees with Gray-sama! Lucy is just an ugly, incompetent bitch! We only let her rejoin Fairy Tail because we felt guilty."

Juvia sobbed loudly, unashamed of her tears. Her lip was bloody from being bitten, and her knuckles were scratched up from countless punches at the black barrier. She loved Lucy! Lucy was like her sister, a constant support when she needed someone. Lucy had aided her in wooing Gray, helped her when she was so sad it hurt. So why? Why was she too weak now?

“Lucy-chan...Juvia’s sorry! You’re like a sister to me! I would never hurt you like this...please believe me!” Juvia yelled, so upset she forgot to talk in third person. Her tears were running freely at this point, overflowing like a permanently on faucet.

"Isn't it funny? I used Lucy to get out of prison. Too bad she's too stupid and weak-hearted to realize we all were never her friends," Jellal's wicked statement was like ten lashes.

The real Jellal stumbled forward, his bruised hands clenched into fists. He banged his hand against the wall. “Damn it…” He cursed, his eyes blurring with a few stray tears. He couldn’t let Lucy go through this again...it nearly destroyed her last time. This time, there wouldn't be anyone to help gather the pieces. There would be Lila and Kaden.

"Lucy-nee isn't even that cool...she's super mean, and nobody likes her anyway...Natsu-san is right."

Wendy cried loudly, hugging Carla to her chest. She loved Lucy...she loved her big sister! Lucy was the kindest, most trusting person ever. She never held a grudge, and always forgave everyone for their mistakes. What would happen to that kind-nature now?

"Lisanna was always a better mom than you, Lucy! I wish I never went with you training!"

Happy hiccuped, his eyelashes clumping and snot dripping down his face. He sobbed, paws clenching the fish locket from oh-so-long ago. The one with two sides of his family, with Lucy and himself, centered on both. He loved her so much! He never regretted supporting her instead of Natsu, nor did he regret choosing her as his mom!

"You're a disgrace to Fairy Tail!"

"Weakling!"

"Bitch!"

"You're just a no-good slut!"

Lisanna’s lip quivered when her counterpart said something. She was so affected, due to the fact that she remembered when would have said something similar to this. Remembered when she was so cruel and evil. And now Lucy would have to live through it all again!

"Ha, writer? Don't make me laugh. You're a joke as both a writer and a wizard! Maybe you should try being a prostitute or stripper...not that anyone would want you!"

Levy grit her teeth, silent tears trailing down her face. “Lu-chan...it’s not true...you’re an amazing author! Not to mention the most amazing best friend! I wouldn’t trade you for anything! You’re the strongest mage here…” Levy’s voice faded away, covered by the fit of sobs that overtook her body. She had always been Lucy’s friend. Ever since the beginning, through thick and thin. She would never betray Lucy.

"Gihi. You have always been useless, and that won't ever change. You should just give up."

Gajeel growled, despite himself. He hated seeing Levy upset, and Lucy was like an annoying younger sister. Whoever thought it was a smart idea to mess with either of them, would be killed by him. He would rip Lila and Kaden to shreds for hurting Lucy. She didn’t deserve any of it.

"Kill yourself! No one wants you here anyway!"

Everyone behind the barrier wall froze. Those words were like a bullet to the brain...they knew that was too cruel...too vicious. How could Lila and Kaden?! How dare they! What if Lucy actually did it? Now Lucy believes they hate her...which is the exact opposite! Laxus only seemed to get more upset, his arms aching from beating against the wall. But he wouldn’t stop; He had to keep trying. He had to save her!

Lucy let loose a heartbreaking scream when the first physical attack landed on her, blasting across her flesh. She attempted to defend herself, but the throng of people only seemed to thicken around her, effectively trapping her.

“Run Lucy!” Jellal screamed, watching as the illusions closed in on her, powerful enough to hurt her physically. How could Lila be so strong?!

Attack after attack slammed into her, cutting up her scarred body. Blood splattered across the floor, painting the illusions of the Fairy Tail members’ hands. A bolt of lightning ripped through her, leaving her in a throbbing pain. She felt the burn cutting through her and knew she wouldn't make it much longer.

Laxus couldn’t stand the idea of her dying by lightning; Of his lightning ever harming her! Lucy had finally lost it. Everything was falling apart. Choking on her own tears, she screamed, activating her celestial spirit king armor. Blasting everyone away from her, she clenched her eyes shut as she limped towards the door.

"Y-you all are the worst type of scum. You think I'm useless? That I'm weak and stupid, and petty? T-That I'm just some ugly whore? Well, look in the mirror. I may be all of those things, but at least I'm not a monster...I'm leaving and I'm never coming back."

“NO! Lucy, please! I can’t live without you!” Laxus choked out, desperately banging on the forcefield.

"I regret ever joining this pathetic, heartless guild."

That was the nail in the coffin. Natsu slumped to the floor, along with Jellal. Everything was done...they had failed.

They had failed to save her.

"Oh go to hell!" Fake Laxus snapped back at her.

Everyone watched with sadness, and guilt. They weren’t powerful enough to help...

Lucy smiled back bitterly, her blood-stained teeth gleaming. Her face was cut and bruised, her head slick with fresh blood.

"Sure. I'll save you a seat when I get there."

Laxus couldn’t stand to watch; To watch her hobble out of Fairy Tail, broken and alone. Just like last time. Except no one would support her this time. No one would comfort her when she cried, or hold her until she fell asleep.

Laxus suddenly let out a ferocious roar, stunning most of the mages. He charged at the barrier. Everyone expected it to bounce off, for it to deflect. But it didn’t; He managed to crack it. A large crack slithered up the side, formed from the pure, raw emotion Laxus radiated.

Natsu took this as hope, jumping to Laxus’s aide. Jellal, Erza, Gray, Mira, Wendy, Juvia, Gajeel, Levy. Everyone attacked the wall, and it began to slowly shatter.

Weak, both Lila and Kaden knew they would lose if they didn’t run now. So they fled. Ran after Lucy. Kaden would hold the shield as longs possible, but by the time it fell, they would already be gone.

Lucy was theirs now.