~Lucy~

The electricity in my veins never faded, it made my muscles sore to the point of exhaustion. It felt like the ligaments were falling off my bones, my entire body felt like glass. I knew I was asleep, I knew I would find myself in a bed. That's what usually happens to me now.

There was a presence close to me, even in the darkness of my conscience I knew I wasn't alone. The person took a hold of my hand whispering to lowly I couldn't make out their words. A moment later their grip was gone, and so was the presence. "Lucy?" Natsu...make the soreness go away...make it all go away. "What do you think made this happen?" Gray asked with a concerning voice. Flare, it was her! She cheated, she forced me to take her beating! I should have fought back, I should have put Flare in her place.

"Guys, we should leave her be. Lucy needs to rest." Gwen spoke, but something was wrong. She was quiet, her huge attitude that could turn every head towards her wasn't there. Something was wrong...my teammates didn't say a word, that is until the door opened, and closed. I wanted to wake up, my brain was awake and yet my body was still unconscious. I was screaming deep down, begging one of them to come back and shake me until I opened my eyes.

A breeze came over me. I felt chills running down my skin. A window opened until I heard the sound of light footsteps. Someone's here, someone snuck in. The footsteps were very light on the floor, but I knew it was a man's. Though he was very quiet to make sure no one outside my room heard him, it was a very heavy step like a man, not a woman. A hand was placed on my leg, very slowly traveling up to my thigh. I felt my heart beating out of my chest, this man is touching me. This unknown person has an advantage and I can't do anything. Unless someone walks in right now, who knows what else he's going to do to me.

The stranger's hand moved away from my thigh to now my waist. A sigh escaped his lips, it was definitely a guy. "What a poor defeat for you today. If only you really showed them who you were Lucy." It was a deep, mysterious voice one I've never heard in my life. Why can't I use my Sight? My magic is never depleted like this, so what's going on? The hand was moving up, now following the trail on my arm. "Such beauty, grace that no woman could ever achieve. Such power that runs in your veins. Such...destruction waiting to happen!"

Now there were two hands...around my neck.

Even with this person strangling me I couldn't wake up. I tried to gasp for air but his grip was to tight for me to even cough. "You won't interfere with my plans, you sneaky bitch. In five days, there will be death and chaos that not even you can stop. Because, dear Lucy, I'm going to end your life." A grip tightened around my neck. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't scream for help. He was killing me. "Yes, lie there as you perish. Nothing will stop me..." Please, anyone, help me! Why can't I call for help?! I'm actually going to die by being strangled in my sleep!?

Just as I felt my heart beginning to slow down, the stranger stopped choking me. I inhaled deeply even as I slept. The man cursed to himself. "No, I can't do it. Not yet, if they find her dead then I'll be found out before I can finish my plan. Yes, I'll just have to warn the redhead again, to make sure she's attentive." A presence was close to my ear, I could feel him breathing. "Lucy Heartfilia, you will not remember this moment in time. You were only dreaming, and never told anyone of it: Erase."

I fell asleep.

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Gwen

The inn was nothing but a big brawl. After we left Lucy to rest, Natsu and Gray got into an argument that ended with everyone fighting because of spilled ale. I rubbed my arms because of a sudden chill washing over me but thought nothing else of it. Near the bar was a clock that said 10: 36, I basically have two hours before midnight. When we left the arena there were rules while we stayed in our personal resting place.

• Do not leave after midnight
• You are not allowed to visit another inn of a guild
• If there's any damage then you pay for it

Obviously Fairy Tail was going to have a big bill to pay but nonetheless was pretty good. I started thinking about Lucy, of how she's in there because... I closed my eyes and shook my head. If I don't get this off my chest then I won't be able to act like myself. I searched for that pink-haired idiot in the commotion, and when I found him I latched my hand around his collar and pulled him out of it. "Oi! What was that for?" He yelled trying to get back in the fight.

I stopped him when I put my hand on his chest. "Can we talk," I whispered to make sure no one heard us. "alone?" Natsu suddenly looked worried and nodded. He followed me out of the inn and began to walk with me. I had to make sure we made it back before curfew, but the guilt over me was making me restless. "Is everything okay?" He asked with his arms crossed over his head. I stopped my movement which made him in the lead. "No..."

"You don't sound alright." My body was shaking, as my mind crossed to Lucy. How I watched her fall in that arena from the amount of pain coursing in her. "Natsu, do you remember Lucy telling everyone of a shock causing her pain?" I said putting my attention to the ground. "Yes." My hands were jittery, and to hide them I put them behind my back. "I know why she's in that infirmary right now." Natsu was suddenly standing close to me; as if he already knew what I'm about to say. "What?"

"Natsu, it's my fault. I'm the reason why Lucy was being electrocuted, why she lost her battle against Flare." Natsu hit the wall behind me with his fist, eyes showing a deadly intense. I didn't react to it however, instead, I kept talking. "I put a lacrima in her chest while she was sleeping. What the lacrima does is to make sure Lucy doesn't go out of control. When her magic reaches a certain point in power, it electrifies her so she stops."

Natsu started to yell. "You basically put a shock collar on her?! Like an animal!" I picked my head and pointed my index finger in his chest. "You don't have a freaking clue why I did it! I hate it as much as you do! You don't have any idea about her magic!" Natsu puffed air out. "You're hurting her, Gwen!" I stood my ground against him. "Oh yeah, then let me tell you this! Lucy has a Dark One form, and Light Goddess form!" The Dragon Mage rolled his eyes. "I already know that!" My arms crossed in a sarcastic manner. "Do you also know her third form?" I harshly questioned him. Natsu seemed appalled by my question. "Lucy has a third form when it comes to her magic. Her 'Balanced' form."

"What's her Balanced form?" I rolled my eyes walking away to not see his face. "Her Balanced form, is when she connects the Dark and Light together. If she's strong-willed enough to control them, Lucy obtains unimaginable power." A sudden memory flashed, showing Lucy in that form. "However," I whispered witnessing the fight over again. "if Lucy, even more, a moment loses control, then she can turn into a monster." I felt Natsu's hand on my shoulder, forcing me to face him. His face, his eyes...showed me that he was concerned. "What happened?"

"I-I tried teaching Lucy to use Balanced, but the consequences of her losing focus was disastrous. My home, my Realm was almost obliterated if I didn't fight back. When Lucy goes into Balanced she must have full focus, because of the Dark and Light fight dominion for the Balance. Lucy is the Balance. If she lets one or the other gain control, then the Darkness or Light has full control of her! War is constantly in her body and mind Natsu. For Lucy to be able to control the Balance, the Light and Darkness must coexist. I was hoping if I trained with her while she was in her Balanced form, she would be able to help tie the opposites together. But I was wrong, she went out of control and I had to fight against her for hours. After that battle, she felt so guilty, and she didn't want that happening again. When she went to bed I implanted a lacrima in her, it's what she would've wanted! If I didn't put that lacrima in her then Lucy would have killed that girl out there today Natsu! She wasn't even in Balanced form and the amount of power she holds made the lacrima put her down!"

I hid my face from him, so he couldn't see the remorse in me. "I know you love her Natsu, I know what I did was horrible. But, if Lucy ever found out about the lacrima, she will believe she's a monster that has to be put on a leash. What you saw today, is compared to nothing than to what she can actually do. She's capable of more than Fairy Tail thinks, Lucy is powerful beyond the Gods, beyond magic itself, and if she lost control, Hell on EarthLand and the Five Realms will come over. It will be the End of Time, Natsu. That's how important this is, that's why she needs to have the lacrima inside her until she can completely control the Balance one hundred percent!" I stood there, shaking like a leaf on a windy day. Then, I was wrapped in warmth, my head laying on a hard surface.

Natsu was hugging me.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through that. But, thank you. Thank you for taking care of Lucy. I know what you mean by it, however, I still don't like it." I didn't return his hug, I only just nodded agreeing with him that I also hate what I did to her. "You can't tell her Natsu. You can't tell anyone about this." Natsu sighed. "I already figured. I don't like keeping secrets from Lucy. It makes me feel like I'm lying to her..." I pulled away from him, the weight on my shoulders finally rolling off. "Well I understand what you mean, but it's best for her. Not until Lucy finally gains control." Now that was over with, the two of us stood there in silence. I rocked back and forth on my feet while the dimwit scratched the back of his head. "Let's go back to the inn." I said breaking the awkward moment. Natsu followed, not saying anything back.

It didn't take us long to come back, but something was up when we entered. There were three people in dark blue cloaks, all having their hood down. Two women and a man. His hair was blue, and on his face was a mask over one of his eyes. The first female has long, bubble gum hair and was holding Juvia's hands as they jumped together. The other female was black-haired and silent as she stood next to the male. Natsu's eyes shined from seeing them. "Jellal!" He announced pouncing on his back.

I smiled figuring out this must be a reunion for Fairy Tail. My feet took me to Lucy's room, where I would sit there and wait for her to wake up.

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As always my Lovelies...love you all!❤️