Authors note:
Hello my frosties, I know that it has taken a while for this chapter to come out and because of that, I am sorry. However, I didn't entirely abandon this story (as you can see because I have updated it...) and I can definitely tell you that this will have either one or two more chapters of roughly the same length (maybe longer) than the ones before. Anywho, hope you like Part 2 of Match Making Demon and let's get reading.
"Shit," Mira muttered from her view of the kitchen. Natsu's fire had ignited part of the second-floor railing and Laxus' electricity cackled dangerously around his body. Meanwhile, Lucy was standing in between the two guys trying to diffuse the situation.
"Okay guys, no need to destroy the whole guild over a little prank right?" She asked and squeaked when a blue exceed pushed her out of the way from a fireball. In response, Laxus sent a bolt of electricity toward the hot-headed fire mage.
"Calm down pip-squeak. Like the lady said, no need to ignite the whole guild, right?" Laxus said and smirked. In a flash of light, he lightning teleported to the back doors of the guild.
"Let's take this outside Dragneel," he said and walked out the doors, fully knowing that the mage would follow his suggestion.
In the commotion, Mira rushed upstairs and alerted Master Makarov.
Outside, Laxus made his way over to a bench and placed his coat down. He unhooked his headphones and took off his shirt. Then, he walked to the middle of the field and placed his hands on the ground. A sense of calm washed over him as he felt the electricity in the air around him.
"C'mon Laxus! We don't got all day." His peace was shattered from the shout of impatience.
Laxus growled and faced Natsu, he scanned the crowd and his eyes locked with Makarov's. A small show of disappointment crossed his grandfather's face and Laxus rolled his eyes in return.
Without warning, the lightning mage sent a bolt of electricity towards Natsu.
A warning shot.
Natsu took this as a sign to begin and sent a 'fire dragon roar' towards his attacker.
Laxus shot himself forward and began fighting.
From the stands, Lucy watched as the scene in front of her turn into a blur. Yellow and red mixed together, with each move taking place in the blink of an eye.
She summoned Corvus, the crow spirit, and asked for his eyesight. Once granted the power, the scene became more clear and Lucy watched as both fighters delivered devastating blows to one another. Laxus sent a large bolt which was canceled out with one of Natsu's fireballs. This continued with each side either canceling or landing a hit on the other.
The dust around the duo flew in the air and a dent in the ground was beginning to form.
Makarov watched with septicity, ready to break up the fight once it became too much.
He was getting too old for this.
He needed to retire.
A gasp arose from the crowd and Makarov looked down.
The dust had settled slightly and two figures could be roughly seen through the haze. Natsu could be seen heavily breathing with his back bent over slightly. Blood trailed down his chest and face and began to puddle around his body. On the other side of the arena, Laxus' large frame was also breathing deeply with his bare chest covered in cat-like scratches while his face was looking at the ground. Both fighters were covered in a mixture of dirt, sweat, and one another's blood.
Natsu looked up and silently walked inside the guild, out of the arena. A collective murmur of confusion washed over the crowd while Lucy sat and stared at the place where Natsu had been moments before. Her face turned stoically and she rose from her seat and walked toward Makarov. Lucy pressed a hand to her keys and deactivated Corvus' powers.
"May I talk to you in your office Master?"
/\/\/\/\
Lucy shut the door roughly behind her once Makarov had taken a seat in his chair, she dropped her emotionless mask and faced her Guild Master. Makarov gave his child a few moments to gather her thoughts and waited for her to break the silence.
"As you may know..." She started off and sat down in one of the chairs. Lucy looked in her lap and slowly twidled her fingers," I have been given the ability to channel some of my silver and gold keys powers. For gold keys, I need to transform into a stardress. For silver, however, all I need is a strong connection and lots of trust in order to use their power."
She took a shaky breath and made eye contact with Makarov."During today's fight, the arena was getting really dusty and then Laxus and Natsu started speeding up their punches causing their movements to turn into blurs so I used my spirit's power to see, but this power also gives enchancedhearingalongwithsightsoIaccidentallyoverheardaconversationthatIshouldn'thaveheard."
Lucy was mumbling now, her face red at the thought with a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief. Makarov shook his head slowly and smirked. He, of course, had overheard the same conversation between his two (at the time) fighting children.
Maybe he could hold off his retirement a little longer.
/\/\/\/\
Mira watched in disbelief as Natsu made his way off the field. His face was downcast and it was shadowed over from him walking quickly. To her left, she saw that Lucy had stood up and walked to Makarov. Mira tilted her head and tried to listen but was too late, as Lucy had already taken the Master into the guild.
Once the door shut behind the two in question, Mira's eyes traveled around the field and stopped when she saw Laxus bend down to pick up his things and put his jacket on. Like Natsu's, his face was shadowed and stoic.
'Shouldn't he be happy and hanging out with his team?' Mira thought and decided to ask the lightning mage herself.
She stood up and dusted off her dress. Then, briskly made her way to Laxus. Mira walked up behind him and tapped him once on his shoulder.
"Go away Mira, I'm definitely not in the mood for your cheeriness right now." The lightning mage said without turning around. Moments earlier, his senses alerted had him about the Demon Mage's company and he now regretted not leaving.
Mira paused for a second, assessing her situation. Taking a risk, she walked around Laxus and stood facing his front. He grunted slightly and Mira laughed.
"You should know by now, that your tough guy act doesn't work on me, mister." She said and looked up expectantly. Laxus looked down and to the left, still not saying anything.
Mira decided she was going to have to guess and then gauge his reaction in order for her to figure out the problem.
"Did you get hurt in the fight with Natsu?" No reaction.
"Did anyone threaten you?" No reaction.
"Gosh darn it Laxus! What the hell has got you acting like this?" Mira asked loudly. Laxus winced at her sudden change in volume but still didn't respond.
She sighed and thought for a moment.
Laxus saw this as an opening to escape as began to walk away.
"Was it... because of a girl?" Mira asked and let the question hang in the air. She turned around and saw Laxus pause midstep almost as if he had been frozen by Gray's ice magic.
Bingo,
a reaction.
Yay, a semi-double cliffhanger! But once again I hope you enjoyed this part 2 of Match Making Demon, don't forget to follow, favorite, and comment, please! Till next time,
Stay Frosty!
