A Different Journey (One Piece and Fairy Tail Crossover Fanfiction)

Chapter 10: A Fairy Flew and a Bounty

Chapter 10: A Fairy Flew and a Bounty

Led by a giant Sea cow, the destined island was soon within view of their eyes. Even the others, though Lucy saw it long before them. It was a vison of green and fields, tall trees and forests. No matter where they looked, it all seemed okay and fine, a lush paradise that gave off a sweet smell. Something citrus like. And it remained like that, peaceful and beautiful, until they reached the Going Merry. Their ship stood out, docked in a small town. Not that the ship stood out for itself, but because of the destroyed town that laid in the background. So, as the Sea Cow pulled them into the dock, they jumped onto Merry.

Cautiously they moved around the deck, Zoro at the back due to his still present injury, and peeked over the other side. Lifting her head, Lucy smelt the salt water, the sea, as it covered the town. It slipped into the earth and flipped houses, which were completely upside down. A show of physical strength. The rubble that was pulled along the ground and thrown about in heaps that littered every inch.

Thought it came not from the physical landscape that the brutality showed from some unknown enemy. But from the dead bodies that littered the roads, hid the streets from view with bloodied and shredded bodies. A massacre of recent times, but not recent enough that any of hers stopped by during the attack.

Mainly because the scent of Usopp's panic, that spicy and florally perfumed scent, dotted objects. Lucy jumped from the ship, landed on the dock and walked slowly into the town. Around the bodies that bled out till nothing remained in their bodies. It filtered and diluted through the dirt. All of them, some piled and other strewn about, smelt of putrid ash and eggs. Rotted and gone cold. A shiver raced through Lucy's spine, closed her eyes and looked away.

Not prepared, perhaps never would be, Lucy closed her eyes. Shut them so tightly the lids creased and grew tired, but remained closed nonetheless. Images of a guild in tatters, bodies and blood strewn about, welled up from within her. All of her friends, gone and dead. Her hand shook violently, as did her legs that slowly buckled beneath her. Hit the dirt road, where small rocks dug into her knees and calves. Breathing increased, rapid and loud, wheezed and stuck around the back of her throat. Stuck, she barely breathed after a few more attempts. Gasped and opened her eyes. Saw not the town, but Fairy Tail.

Eyes closed once more, shut out the images that bombarded her psyche. Filled the space of darkness in her eyes with more, but of an even worse type. Feet, multiple, came over to her side. Hands reached out, instinctively Lucy found Zoro's and held onto it. His hand jolted within her grasp, but remained. And his body followed, came down to the ground, and entered the space which she sensed within. Wrapped both arms around her.

Even though he knew nothing of what she saw, from the way he reached up and pet her head, pulled her into his neck. He understood her pain, at least sensed it and worked to quell it. The smell of grass and booze, along with his swords, was what slowly calmed the tears that began and flowed past her shut lids. Blurred the image of Fairy Tail back into the regular blackness of her own lids. The tears stopped dripping onto his skin, and each breath calmed down. Slowly worked to a more even and controlled pace. Another hand landed on her back, warm and sensed with magic. And then one with the smell of spices on her shoulder.

"Lucy," Sanji whispered, just loud enough that it reached her. Unable to respond, throat too pained to speak, Zoro pulled her closer to him. Wormed the hand she held free, and used it to wrap around her completely. He had stopped her trembling body, eased the cracks and worn edges that formed from that time. Zoro pulled away, and her body followed. Instinctively tracked the warmth and comfort.