Sparks

The sun's rays scorched Lucy's back as she hiked along the perimeter of Lake Scilliora. As she walked with Plue by her side, she was anything but quiet. Her backless sandals smacked the soles of her feet as she walked. Her gold and silver keys clinked together as they swung from her hip. She clicked her tongue as she frowned at the crudely drawn map that she held in her hands.

"According to Mira's map," Lucy said to the little shivering dog spirit at her side, "We have to follow this creek here." She showed the map to Plue, pointing at the northern shoreline.

"Puuu?" the little spirit asked, tilting it's head.

Lucy pursed her lips. She scratched the back of her head as her mind wandered to earlier at the Guild.


"Thank you for your help, Lucy," Mira said. She leaned forward, a broomstick in her hands and a smile on her face. Her smile was radiant and infectious. Lucy couldn't help but smile back.

"No problem," she replied with a wave of her hand. "After all, it was my best friend who made the mess."

"Laxus had equal part," Mira said. There was a flash in her eyes that Lucy failed to see. "Are you headed the to Lake for a swim?" Mira asked after a moment.

Lucy summoned Plue with a flashing light. "It seems like the only way I'll cool off," she said, her shoulders rising in a shrug. She sighed. "Only I was hoping to relax and the Lake is so crowded this time of year."

"Oh!" Mira exclaimed with a clap of her hands. The broomstick she had held fell to the floor with a clatter. "I know of a hidden lake at the mountain's base!" she continued as she scurried to the bar counter. "If you follow Lake Scilliora's shoreline north, you'll see a small creek that runs off and towards the mountain. I'll draw you a map. Trust me, it's a small beautiful lake and very private." Mira winked. "You'll be sure to relax."


Lucy sighed, sweat dripping down the side of her temple. "Hopefully this hidden lake is worth the hike." She squinted up at the blazing sun.

"Puu puu!"

"You're right, Plue," Lucy smiled, looking down at the little spirit. She wiped the sweat off her face with the back of her hand. "As long as it's cool and quiet, it'll be worth it."

They left the shoreline of Lake Scilliora to follow the creek drawn on Mira's map. The narrow creek led them into the dense woods that covered the base of the mountain side. The surrounding trees changed from giant oaks to towering pines the further up the creek Lucy hiked. And as she neared the base of the mountain, the trees opened up and the creek widened into a small lake.

The body of water glistened under the sun's rays. Like a mirage, it called Lucy forward. The mountain, a sheer cliff side of granite, towered over the opposite side of the lake. The lake cut into the mountain here, creating a shadowed cove. Water trickled down the sheer cliff and dripped over the entrance to cove.

Lucy stepped forward. She imagined floating in the cove, underneath the cool shaded cliff. She sighed, moving closer still to the water's edge.

"Puu puu!" Plue said moving before her and holding out his arms to block her. His little arms trembled as he looked up at the Spirit Mage.

"What's the matter, Plue?" Lucy asked. She squatted down and patted the little spirit's head. "You don't have to swim if you don't want to."

"Puuuuu!" The little dog spirit pointed to the western edge of the small lake. Following the spirit's finger, Lucy frowned at the charred pine tree that stood alone on the shore. It's branches and needles long burned away, the blackened trunk was stark against the clear blue sky above.

"Poor tree was struck by lightning," Lucy said pushing her palms against her knees as she stood back up. "But don't worry, Plue." She smiled. "The storm is long gone."

She stepped around the little dog spirit, misunderstanding his cries for her to stop. She kicked off her backless sandals as she neared the edge of the water. The smooth surface of the water crackled, and a buzzing noise filled Lucy's ears. She shrugged the sound off as buzzing dragonflies and prepared dive into the cool water. She never imagined that the sound wasn't what she had believed it to be.

"Puuuu!" Plue called out and Lucy froze. Her toes ghosted over the water's surface as her foot was about to enter. The once calm water began to bubble as dozens of fish floated to the surface. The fish were belly up and charred black.

Lucy shrieked as she jumped back from lake. Golden arcs of electricity crackled over the now bubbling lake's surface. The buzzing sound grew louder.

"What's happening, Plue?" Lucy asked her little spirit who was shaking more violently than ever. "Is this what you were trying to warn me about?"

"Puu puu."

Lucy turned her head, scanning the perimeter of the small lake. Her fingers brushed the keys at her hip and she readied herself for a possible fight. "Something has to be charging the lake and killing the fish."

Plue saw him first. "Puuuu!" the little dog spirit called out as he pointed to the lake's eastern shore.

Lucy caught her breath and her heart felt heavy in her chest. On the eastern shore of the lake was Laxus, his body half in the water, half slumped against a large boulder.

"Laxus?" Lucy said her voice barely a whisper. Before her mind could register, her legs were moving and she found herself sprinting towards the down Dragon Slayer.

His eyes were closed and his sound pod was placed over this ears. He could be sleeping. Lucy hoped he was just sleeping. But the way his feet were turned outward in the water was strange. The angle at which his body was bent was strange. The way his head was lolled to the side was strange.

And the strangest thing of all, was how Laxus' magic seemed to be leaking from his body.

Electricity rolled over his body in waves. His skin glowed yellow and hot. Sparks popped and crackled, bitting at his exposed flesh and tearing what little clothes he had on.

He wore only pants. His feet were bare, his legs submerged in the lake and the water rose to his upper thighs. His chest was covered in bandages, bandages that also curled around his upper arms. He chest shuddered with uneven breaths.

Lucy slowed to a walk as she neared the Lightning Dragon Slayer. With her brows knitted together in concern, she called out to him once more.

"Laxus?" she said her voice soft.

A firm hand on her shoulder stopped her, and she jumped. Startled, she clutched her hands to her chest. "Princess," a voice said behind her.

Lucy turned around and sighed, seeing only her spirit Virgo wearing an all black rubber cat suit. The pink haired maid spirit held out a suit identical to the one she was wearing.

"Princess, please change into this suit for your protection," Virgo said her voice monotone.

Lucy's eyes widened at the very tight, complete with cat ears, suit the spirit was wearing. She shook her head. "What? Virgo, this isn't the time for jokes," Lucy said. She pushed Virgo's hand off her shoulder. "Laxus might be hurt."

The pink haired spirit blinked, her expression blank. "May I suggest rubber gloves instead, Princess?"

"Virgo, Laxus has changed," Lucy said turning her attention back to the Dragon Slayer that was short-circuiting on the ground before her. "He wont hurt me. We're nakama."

Virgo stared at her master, her expression void of emotion. "Very well, Princess," Virgo said at last, bowing. The maid spirit then vanished in a flash of light.

Lucy felt a paw on her ankle and she looked down to find a quivering Plue. She smiled gently at the little spirit before he too returned to the spirit world.

The Dragon Slayer twitched, drawing back Lucy's attention. His face frowned and his eyes squeezed even tighter shut. He must be in pain, Lucy thought.

"Laxus wake up," Lucy said squatting down until she was on her knees. She flinched from the bright glare of Laxus' magic as it arced before her.

She crawled forward, inching closer. She reached her hand out, but her fingers flexed back as she hesitated.

"Laxus," she said louder. "It's me, Lucy."

The muscles of his chest spasmed and his breathing hitched. Lucy took a deep breath, gathered her courage and steadied her nerves. She extended her arm out and grabbed the Lightning Dragon Slayer's broad shoulder.

Lightning surged through her fingertips. Her fingers flexed and her nails bit into his shoulder. She drew blood as her nails cut through the bandages that wrapped his shoulder, piercing his skin. She couldn't help it as her fingers had locked, her entire arm, her entire body convulsing from the electrical current that now surged through her.

The pain was unnerving. Excruciating. She clamped down on her tongue. Blood coated her mouth and a trickle escaped her through her lips. Her body hot, she felt as if her blood was boiling, like she being cooked from the inside out.

Tears blurred her vision but through the haze, she could just make out Laxus' eyes as they flashed open. He turned his head towards her, his mouth open, her name on the tip of his tongue.

He removed her hand from his shoulder and her convulsing stopped. Laxus' charged aura dissipated, vanishing as he had regained conscious and control of his magic. But it was too late.

Lucy eyes darkened, fading to black as she collapsed forward into Laxus' arms.


A/N Thank you to everyone who faved, followed and reviewed! Your reviews make my day and I thank you so much for taking the time to write them. Chapters will get longer as the story finds its groove, so hang on. And remember, don't touch live wires (or short-circuiting Dragon Slayers.) Because getting electrocuted hurts like hell. Thank you again and see you guys next time!