Risenfromash: I am horrible at estimating the length of the tales I wish to tell… they growth in depth and length as if they have a life of their own. I keep intending to wrap up my Fraxus projects and return to Soul Eater and original fiction… but I keep getting ideas so it is quite possible there will be more Fraxus even after this story… But if you want to read more be sure to review as I haven't got a lot of response to this story. I'm wondering if I miscategorized it or something… who knows

Part 4:

By the time the two mages made it to the edge of town even Freed could hear the uproar coming from the direction of Kardia Cathedral. Running down Canal Street, he shouted to a passing boatman, "What's going on?"

"Some damn treasure hunter guild has come trying to make off with stuff from Kardia. You with Fairy Tail?" the sailor asked. Laxus nodded and Freed found himself nodding along with him despite his unmarked status. "Good, they can use more help. A couple o' your mates are already headed to the infirmary."

Laxus growled, enraged that a treasure hunting guild would have the audacity to march into Fairy Tail's town and try to steal things from Magnolia's prize cathedral, and along with that rage reared an all-too-familiar feeling of discontent. His guildmates should have been strong enough to take care of a bunch of treasure hunters without his help. He pushed aside his anger at the ineptitude of his fellow fairies, channeling it toward the ones who he knew to be truly responsible, the bastards attempting to steal his town's antiquities.

He pulled his shoulders back, threw out his chest and tightened the muscles of his upper body. "These bastards need to be put down," he said, his words rolling from his tongue like a far off clap of thunder. Immediately, lightning began to spark around him.

"Wait, Laxus," Freed said grabbing the other young man by the arm. Laxus looked at his companion in confusion. What the hell?

"I can make your punch stronger… I think," Freed said as he loosened his grasp on the dragon-slayer's arm and, instead, rested his pointer finger on Laxus' bicep. Freed chanted something under his breath as a line of runic symbols appeared and began to encircle the other boy's upper arm beginning and ending at Freed's pointer finger.

"You can make me more powerful?" Laxus asked with an incredulous look. "With runes?"

Freed nodded without hesitation. "Assuming I got the spell right… I haven't had the occasion to use it much."

Laxus made a mental note to learn more about the variety of runic spells Freed knew and what, with additional practice, he could master in the future. Just off the top of his head Laxus could think of a multitude of situations where Freed's abilities might be an asset, but right now was definitely not the time to discuss it. They'll be time for that after I teach these assholes their place. Comin' in here and messing with Fairy Tail. Cocky bastards…

As Freed and Laxus approached the massive cathedral they entered into a haze of low-hanging smoke which led Freed to wonder if the cathedral might be on fire or if the smoke-using mage he had seen the day before might have cast some kind of large area-of-effect spell, though the purpose of doing so baffled Freed as it seemed to him that the clouds caused as many issues for the Fairies as for the treasure hunters.

"Is the cathedral on fire?" the rune mage asked Laxus as they took in the scene. There were a few mages in the air near one of Kardia's foremost spires and a large number on the ground in front of the main entrance.

"Probably," Laxus frowned as he pointed toward one of the shapes flying around in the air. With difficulty Freed could make out the shape of a mage wearing what appeared to be a winged hat that was transporting him around in the air. "Happy's flyin' Natsu around and that ain't good. Those boneheads'll destroy the place."

The cat, of course, Freed thought. That makes way more sense than a hat with feathers, but you never know, anything seems possible these days…

"Agreed. We most certainly can't let them wreck the place. It's on the registry of historic places." Laxus' eyebrows appeared to conjoin in the middle as he briefly scowled at his friend. Why was he hanging with someone who sounded like a tour guide?

"What? Well, it is and I haven't even gotten to visit it yet!" Freed insisted.

"Keep your pants on," Laxus said dismissively. "You'll get your tour just as soon as we sweep out the trash." Laxus was studying the enemy and attempting to guess how many treasure hunters had come on the siege.

"If it's a treasure hunting guild they won't have many magic users, right? Wouldn't most magic users prefer to join a mage's guild?" Freed said, rhetorically. Laxus knew what he was thinking. He was wondering how a group of people with very few mages, if any, could take on an entire Magic Guild and not immediately be overwhelmed. Logically, Fairy Tail should have been able to easily overpower even the best of the Treasure Hunting guilds, but that didn't seem to be what was happening. Instead, it appeared that the Fairies were amassing injuries at an alarming rate, many having to retreat.

"I told ya," growled Laxus. "A lot of Fairy Tail's mages are weak. Gramps is letting anyone in. Cana didn't even do magic when she joined." It was physically paining him to see the ass whooping his guild was getting from nothing more than a bunch of dudes with thick wooden staves.

The old timers, Macao and Wacca, were struggling to fight off a small horde of treasure hunters. This was of little surprise to Laxus as he considered both of them to be past their prime and to have never been that great to begin with. Cana was retreating holding her arm in such a way that he knew she had to have taken a substantial hit to it. Erza was preventing a number of the treasure hunters from entering the cathedral, holding her own with one of her more flashy armored outfits. Gray was wielding a massive mace, but seemed equally matched with the burly, hairy gorilla-like treasure hunter he was fighting. Nowhere did Laxus or Freed see Makarov.

I wonder if the Old Man's hanging back to give the young 'uns a chance to spread their wings, pondered Laxus. Or if he's foolishly thinking they can handle it themselves. Dumb ass is probably trying to teach us all some damn lesson or something.

Laxus' forehead creased in thought as he considered his attack options. He was incredibly powerful and had decent defense but he couldn't be everywhere at once. From what he saw he estimated that the invading guild would have brought at least twenty-five people with them, maybe even thirty, if they were smart, which meant he had to be strategic about where he placed himself in order to be of the most assistance to his incompetent guild mates. Can't afford to get sloppy just 'cause I can kick ass. That's how people get hurt.

Part of the challenge seemed to be that the fight was spread out all around the cathedral. Whether intentional or inadvertent, it was obvious that what was going on was a bunch of individual duels rather than a full-scale battle between two guilds and that was to their disadvantage. He needed to come up with a way to enclose the treasure hunters within an area so he and the other mages could team up and take them out for good.

"Freed, could you put up one of your wall-thingees so these bastards can't take off runnin' when I come at 'em?"

"How many ways are there in and out of the cathedral?" Freed asked running alongside Laxus.

"Two… no, wait three I think… there's a door to the basement, too. That's how I snuck off when I had choir practice as a kid."

Freed couldn't help but laugh. "Choir practice?! You?"

Laxus frowned. "It was Gramps idea 'cause I like music. You got a problem with that?"

"No, but I want to hear you sing something later," Freed teased.

"You're gonna be waitin' a long time. I only sing in the shower," said Laxus, as he motioned for them to duck behind some shrubberies on the north side of the church. Freed's adrenaline surged within him as he felt his magic power yearning to be put to good use. He wondered if it was always this exciting in Magnolia. It seemed as though ever since he met Laxus he'd been more stimulated than ever before. Just one amazement after another, he thought as he knelt beside Laxus to spy upon their enemies.

"Whaddaya know?" Laxus said pointing to the building's side door where a number of men were busily loading statues, books, and paintings, into a cart, which was rapidly filling. He was shocked to see the massive pile of loot the treasure hunters had collected; he had no idea there was that much of value within the entire cathedral.

"Looks like they're taking anything that ain't bolted down," Laxus grumbled.

Freed leaned close to Laxus, reasoning out loud, softy. "Taking into consideration the cart of loot, the best way to trap them would be to encircle the entire building."

"Can you do that?" Laxus asked.

"Yes, but I've never attempted a runic circle that big," Freed whispered with a nod of his head.

"But you can do it?" the lightning mage asked.

"In theory, I should be able to."

"Make that theory a reality and we'll be in business! They're planning to run, the cowards, but if we can trap 'em-"

"It will take time, though," Freed explained. "You need to have realistic expectations… and if I get interrupted-"

"Don't worry. I'll cover you," Laxus' words were silken to Freed's ears, like the smooth trim on a comforting blanket.

"Are you sure?" Freed queried. "Wouldn't it better if you just berserkered a bit, instead?"

Laxus arched the eyebrow above his lightning shaped scar. "Freed, I'm a dragon-slayer, not a barbarian."

"About that," murmured the swordsman as he stroked his chin. "I've been meaning to ask you what exactly that means. You aren't claiming to have actually battled a real dragon, are you?"

"I'll tell ya about it later, it ain't a quick story, and I don't know everything. Natsu probably knows more about it. His dad was a dragon. " Laughter burst forth from the rune mage's mouth for a split second before one of Laxus' enormous, vein-covered hands clamped itself over his mouth to muffle the sound. The action inadvertently brought their bodies closer to one another, the smaller boy spooned against the larger.

"I wasn't kidding," Laxus whispered seriously, his breath warm on Freed's ear. "He's a dragon slayer, too."

Still enveloped by the thunder-user, Freed gazed skyward at the fireball streaking around the sky. It was difficult for Freed to observe similarities between the fighting styles of Laxus and Natsu. Laxus seemed so much more restrained in his use of power than the amateurish blasting of the fire user. Laxus is so much more mature… so much stronger… so much more manly… Freed felt himself being overtaken by the overwhelming sensation he seemed to get whenever the Thunder God was physically close to him like this.

Freed's green eyes gazed up into Laxus' and the blond grinned. "Sorry, I forget that to other people it sounds weird. You done now?" Freed blinked in confusion. What did his Thunder God mean? Done with this feeling? No, he wanted to feel like this always! He would be happy to stay there in his arms… surrounded by the safety and comfort of those bulging biceps… Freed's eyes widened. What the hell was that?, he asked himself as he gently shook his head trying to regain his focus. For Gods' sake, we're midbattle. Freed studied the Thunder God as the muscular man loosened his grip on him. Maybe dragon slayers have some innate kind of charm magic… that must be it. Clearly, that's what's going on. But, again this is not the time or place.

Quickly collecting himself, Freed inhaled and with a nod of his head asked, "Fine then, are you ready?" Freed half expected Laxus to say he changed his mind about the runic circle. Freed knew that Laxus could simply charge out there and knock many of the treasure hunters out like so many scarecrows, but, instead, Laxus nodded, a crooked grin appearing on his face.

"Let's teach 'em a lesson," he growled huskily, and on the count of three, Freed drew his sword and swung it at combatants until he was positioned about ten feet from the building's back side and then he turned the attention of his sword to the air in front of him utilizing it in much the way a teacher would use a pointer to call attention to items of importance. Like a fountain symbols and shapes sprung forth from the tip of his sword. Beside him Laxus grunted as he smacked his fists into the sides, faces, and guts of any of the treasure hunting guild's minions that dared to approach.

It wasn't a thrilling battle for Laxus, but he did exactly what he had said he would do. He remained near Freed ensuring his safety as the runic wizard cast his circle. In between batting away goons as though they were flies, Laxus would glance at Freed who was diligently working to create an enormous line of symbols in the air before him.

I think he knows more runes than I know words. How in the hell's he keep all that shit straight in that little head of his? Laxus wondered. And he learned all of it from books. It's fucking amazing. Never in a million years would the lightning dragon-slayer have imagined the person he would want as his partner would be a self-taught mage, much less one who specialized in an archaic and obscure branch of magic that Laxus knew virtually nothing about. But Laxus' observation of team dynamics over the years had led him to recognize that the common denominator between all the very best wizarding teams, regardless of guild, was the balancing of the strengths and weaknesses of the team members. And I ain't good at much other than beatin' the shit out of people. Not that I'm complain', he thought with a smirk as he knocked two treasure hunters to the ground with a single punch. They were such weaklings compared to him that he could easily knock one over and two would go down like dominos. At one point, it crossed his mind that they might be illusions rather than real people, but they felt solid enough when his hand came in contact with their muscle and bone.

As they worked, Freed and Laxus heard cries for help from other Fairy Tail members, but Laxus ignored them. This rattled Freed. Why isn't he going to help them? Does he think they deserve to get their asses kicked because they aren't as strong as him? I'm not as strong as him. Why does he treat me differently? The unanswered pleas for help and cries of pain tugged at the rune mage's heart.

"Laxus, are you sure you shouldn't…?" Freed trailed off unsure precisely what to say. The lightning mage simply continued pummeling the treasure hunters near Freed and called over his shoulder, "There are plenty of 'em. They can help each other. Somebody's gotta cover you to make sure none of these ass holes run off with stuff that ain't theirs'."

"But…" Freed wanted to help and even if he weren't strong enough he knew Laxus was. He felt terrible that Laxus was shielding him instead of assisting his own guild mates. Wasn't it like a golden rule of mage guilds that you always assisted your own guild mates before other allies? he thought. As if to confirm this, Laxus' name rang out through the night. The voice calling him was that of a woman and Freed wondered if it was Mira or some other girl Laxus liked and it made him feel even more awkward that Laxus was protecting him, instead, of one of his friends he had known for years. Freed's eyes met Laxus' and the lightning mage couldn't ignore the concern there, but he remained firm. "You said you can't be interrupted. So, concentrate, dammit. I'll help them when you're done…ok?"

Freed nodded. I'll just have to cast faster than I ever have before, he told himself, determined to not monopolize the skill of Fairy Tail's strongest.

It wasn't easy for Laxus to hear the screams of his guild mates, but after the things he had heard them say that morning he wasn't in a huge hurry to help them, either. I'm where I belong, he told himself as he wondered how much longer this 'rune-thingee' was going to take. He was impatient to find the ringleader of the invaders and let loose what Elfman would have described as a 'manly can of whoop-ass" on him or her.

Laxus sighed as Freed continued murmuring strange words in ancient, forgotten languages and tapping the air here and there with his sword as though ordering his self-made alphabet to do tricks. I wish I knew more-no scratch that, I wish I knew something about rune magic. I don't know shit about it… 'cept that I'm pretty sure I've made fun of it more than once. Then again I ain't seen anyone do nothin' like this before. I guess if me and Freed keep workin' together I better let him give me an education in rune magic 'cause I never paid any attention when people talked about it. Never thought I'd be worryin' about what percentage of a rune mage's magic is exhausted by casting all this weird shit.

As though Freed could sense Laxus' impatience, the caster paused for a moment and looked over his right shoulder at his protector. "I'm sorry. It'll be only a few more minutes. I've only got about two hundred runes left."

"Two Hundred? Whatcha doin' writin' a novel?," Laxus asked as he used the rumble of his lightning to make the ground roll under the feet of some treasure hunters about fifteen feet away, causing all of them to shout and throw out their arms as though attempting to walk a tightrope as they fought to maintain their balance.

"Yes, I'm writing a novel," Freed replied sassily as he turned back to his work, runes once again sprouting from the tip of his sword. "Complete with prologue, afterword, and table of contents."

Laxus just shook his head. I dunno what everyone else's problem is. He ain't scared of me and look at him go! He's probably only got a hundred and fifty runes left now. Seriously, he's like a machine. Laxus' eyes sparkled. He's the one. We're gonna become Fairy Tail's greatest team.

A couple minutes later Freed spun around, his chin held high as he proclaimed triumphantly, "It is done!" As he turned, the moonlight began to reflect off a wall of runes floating in the air about ten feet away from the church that appeared to go from ground upward toward infinity.

"Can you tell if it's working?" Laxus asked. He wasn't sure if the luminescence meant success or would happen even with a failed attempt.

"It's working," Freed said with pride as he pointed skyward. "Watch." Laxus and Freed watched as the silhouette of a treasure hunter that had been sent flying by a powerful attack made contact with the wall. The form abruptly stopped and then proceeded to slide down the invisible barrier like something from the cartoons that played on lacrimavision on Saturday mornings.

Laxus nodded with a smile. Rune magic certainly ain't stupid the way Freed does it, that's for sure.

"Don't worry you can fly through it," Freed shouted as Happy started to veer away from the barrier.

Natsu cautiously stuck an arm through it and then waved his hand wildly. "Waaahooo! Let's pick 'em up and throw 'em at it, Happy!"

"Aye, Sir!" the blue cat said diving down to snatch up a treasure hunter.

"Awright! I'm going in!" Laxus told Freed. "I'm gonna flush 'em out of the cathedral." Then his face clouded, "You gonna be ok, Freed?" Laxus had no idea if the runic circle was continuously draining Freed's magic or how it really worked.

"I have my sword," Freed said confidently as he sized up the enemy. "You get them out of there and we'll take it from there."

"Ok, just keep that barrier up," Laxus said as he ran to the front of the cathedral preparing to regain control of the inside of the landmark.

As the lightning dragon-slayer turned the corner, the Fairies cheered. Laxus had come to their rescue. Even a few guild members who had been knocked out came to and forced themselves to their feet. The tide of the battle was turning or so they believed. Freed smiled seeing the sky flash with light that could only be his friend's lightning. It won't be long now and we'll be piling up their bodies to cart off to the infirmary at the police station, Freed thought, but then his confidence was shaken by hearing a voice shout out to the Thunder God.

"Laxus, they've got the Master!"

Laxus was near the front steps of the cathedral when Erza's words reached his ears and immediately his attacks intensified, their names growing longer and more grandiose with each step he took toward Kardia's threshold.

Hearing that Laxus' grandfather was in danger, Freed ran in the direction of the cathedral's entrance following the sound of Laxus' thunder. Freed knew that Laxus had intended for him to stay outside and do all he could to maintain the integrity of the runic barrier, but that had been before Laxus had known Makarov was inside. Freed didn't even bother to weigh the options. Aiding Laxus in the rescue of his grandfather was of far greater importance to Freed than saving any historic building or treasure or even helping the other Fairies. He owed much to Laxus and if he could be of any assistance his runes and his sword were at the Thunder God's disposal.

Waving his sword in the calculated swings of a highly skilled saber user, Freed was able to quickly cover the ground between the side door and the steps of the cathedral. Blinding himself to the struggles of the other Fairies he passed, he ran up the steps of the cathedral taking them two at a time.

From inside, Freed heard Laxus threaten, "You hurt him, you'll be answering to me." How cliché, noted Freed. I'm going to have to work with him on coming up with more intimidating dialogue that will undermine the enemy's confidence… because that is definitely not going to cut it. He should sound better than a common thug. They have his grandfather!

Freed ran into the main chamber of the cathedral. Presumably there had been pews in rows on either side of the aisle, but now the ones on the northern side were busted and lay in heaps, undoubtedly the result of an attack by the mighty Laxus.

"You're gonna give us the Master back right now!" Laxus roared at five men who stood in a row across from him. In the arms of one of the men, lay the guild master, limp and seemingly lifeless.

Since they're holding him he must still be alive, just knocked out, reasoned Freed. But how in the world would they have overpowered a Wizard Saint? Whatever they did must have been dirty fighting, which constitutes the action of a dark guild. He paused and inhaled deeply before whispering the words he recited every morning before beginning his training, "In honor of my mother and all the others who have lost their lives at the hand of dark guilds, grant me the ability to be without mercy until their eradication. Bless my runes and my blade for today I seek vengeance against evil," and then ran forward.

"What are you doing in here?" Laxus asked angrily, never once removing his eyes from the man clutching his grandfather. The man was incredibly tall and skinny as though he had been stretched on a rack and half of his long, gaunt face was concealed by a cobalt and fuchsia mask that appeared to be made of some kind of strange metal. "Don't you need to be taking care of the runes or something?"

Freed growled his displeasure at his friend's comment before ever-so-politely said, "I heard your grandfather was in trouble."

"He ain't gonna be for long," Laxus snarled as he lunged toward the one holding Makarov, his fist flying in the direction of the man's hollow-looking face. Freed had never seen an attack this powerful before. Laxus' arm appeared to carry with it the light of a thousand lacrimas, but just as his fist approached the man it was as though all thousand lacrimas had been switched off. All of the lightning disappeared making Laxus' hand and arm appear completely normal.

The masked man holding Makarov watched as Laxus withdrew his arm and tried again and then in a hauntingly inhuman tone commented, "Magical deprivation is a bitch, isn't it?"

Laxus tried not to look shaken, but never before had his lightning simply vanished, and it wasn't only his thunder and lightning that was giving him trouble. His entire arm no longer felt right, a tingling sensation reminiscent of pins and needles permeating through it as though some of its blood supply had been impinged.

The men chuckled and started to close in on the Thunder God, evidently thinking that since he didn't have use of his magic the four of them would be able to subdue him without incident.

Letting out a war-cry like a general on a battlefield rallying his troupes, Freed charged forward determined to not allow anyone to insult his Laxus by thinking that they could take him down simply by taking away his magic.

"Freed, get outta here," Laxus shouted trying to fight off a couple of the men with his brute strength despite the strange feeling in his arms.

"I refuse," the swordsman proclaimed haughtily as he began to slash at the treasure hunters. "I'm going to help you get your grandfather to safety."

Laxus didn't argue, he was too busy pummeling one of the treasure hunters with his fist, his magic waxing and waning as he did so. Just when he thought it was coming back it would fizzle out again and he was in no position to analyze what was happening. "You're gonna empty your pockets of the cathedral's jewels or," he paused to catch his breath before landing a hard blow to the nose of one of the treasure hunting lackeys, "I'm gonna pound ya till they fly out on their own."

The hit looked mighty painful, but Freed could tell that it wasn't as powerful as it usually would have been. Whatever was robbing Laxus of his magical power was also striping him of some of his strength. Freed's mind began to calculate. He knew next to nothing about magical deprivation, having read only a page or two on the topic in some ancient text or another, but he was pretty sure that it would be possible to nullify a nullification spell. It should work like negative numbers or a double negative in language. The two negatives cancel each other out returning things back to a neutral or positive state… but in order to negate the nullification I need to determine its source. Freed struggled to determine the method of action of the spell. Which one of them is casting it? No one is chanting or naming actions… Are they perhaps taking turns? Is it an area of effect or a length of effect spell? God damn it! I've got to figure this out! For all we know the longer Laxus is exposed the weaker he could become!

It was hard to collect the evidence as any observations he made had to be done while he simultaneously swung his saber at the enemy, but Freed refused to give up. He wasn't going to let Laxus fight this battle alone.

"Come on, let's get out of here," the masked man shouted as the sharp blade of Freed's saber bit the flesh of one of his minions.

"You ain't going anywhere," Laxus bellowed running after the man as he headed to the side entrance. The Thunder God attempted to head butt the man, but narrowly missed and Laxus mashed his teeth in anger. But the attack proved to not be without reward as something caught Freed's eye as the masked man dodged the attack. On his left arm, was a wide copper bracelet decorated with a strange glowing symbol. It wasn't a rune Freed recognized, but the glow of the symbol could only be magical. That's it! The source of the nullification. A magical object, of course! They're treasure hunters, it only makes sense! There was no doubt in Freed's mind that he had discovered how they had robbed Laxus of his magic, and he rushed forward shouting for Laxus to cover him.

What the hell does he think he's doing?! Laxus thought to himself as he spit blood onto the floor of the cathedral. Just because he has a sword doesn't make him invincible! Freed! What are you doing?! Laxus tried to mask his dismay as Freed ran for the side door placing himself between the remaining three treasure hunters and their intended exit. If I can trap them within the cathedral, I can then create the other sides of the runic barrier…

"You let us go or the old man suffers," the gaunt man said calmly staring down first Freed and then Laxus. "Understand that we mean business. No one need die here today."

"You hurt him and I swear-"

"Your master is simply sleeping. We have not hurt him any. Now, tell your sword-wielding friend to step aside as I can only be accommodating to one of them at a time." The masked man's tone was dark and menacing, but Freed did not flinch. Instead, his eyes were on Laxus. Laxus, I have a plan. Trust me, he tried to communicate with his eyes. Stall them, keep the banter going, grovel, whatever it takes. Don't worry about me.

"Sorry. I don't let assholes tell me what to do," Laxus said to the masked man, while his eyes lingered on Freed. He knew that the swordsman must be up to something, but he didn't know what, and being one who rarely needed the assistance of others he wasn't used to blindly trusting. Not only was he not used to it, he was bad at it. Freed had to know that, despite the short span of time they had known each other. Laxus was sure that the rune mage must know that for him to trust like this was asking a lot. Yet, there was Freed risking his own safety trusting him to go along with whatever unknown plan Freed had come up with.

"I am no 'asshole,'" the masked man said sounding offended. "Not like you 'Dreyars'. Did you know that your Great-Grandfather was a treasure-hunter?"

"Nope. Don't care much about people I never met," Laxus said as he took a swing at one of the other treasure hunters. "Never been a history buff."

"Such honesty is refreshing," the masked man said with an amused expression on his sunken cheeks. "Knowing what to care about and what to not give a damn about is an underappreciated personality trait. Too bad you and I both know that you care a lot about your grandfather." The man wrapped his right hand around Makarov's throat. "Now step aside!"

Freed bowed his head and took a giant step to the side then ran madly past all of them including Laxus as he muttered things to himself.

"Nevermind him," the masked man shouted. "Go!" The two of his men that had not already gone out headed to the door, but found themselves unable to exit. Freed had created a runic wall blocking the way.

Laxus felt a sense of pride in the other boy's accomplishment. At least he wasn't the only one to fall victim to the rune mage's sneakiness.

Enraged, the masked man snarled, "You will lift this at once!"

"I can't," Laxus said with a shrug. "You'll have to talk to him about it."

"Do you want me to kill Makarov?" the masked man said, his voice shrill.

"I will not allow you to hurt him," Laxus roared as Freed joined him on his right engaging the other men in a cat and mouse game with his blade as he appeared to mumble to himself.

"Why don't you give up?" the masked man asked.

"Because," grunted Laxus, "One o' these times, Freed's gonna have made it… right."

And just then Laxus felt a flood of magic power returning to him. Laxus wasn't sure what Freed had done, but Makarov's eyes popped open and lifting his arm he punched the masked man in the face with one of his fists which had swollen to the size of a pumpkin. The man stumbled backward dropping the old man to the floor as the other treasure hunters tried to paw at the door.

"Gramps, you ok?" Laxus asked.

"Fine, fine," he mumbled as he swung his giant arm at the other treasure hunters. "I've got this. Go make sure they aren't getting away with anything belonging to the cathedral."

Fairy Tail's guild master now safe and their leader no longer imbued with special powers, the treasure hunters tried to scatter but the ones within the cathedral were all trapped within the box Freed had created. It took Laxus a while to figure out that Freed must have set a barrier over the front door as he entered, one on the side door when he blocked their path, and then the two sides of the box as they fought.

"Nice multitaskin'," Laxus said with a wink as he ran to leave the cathedral by way of the exit he had snuck out of many times in his younger days.

The compliment brought to Freed's lips the wisp of a smile, but it was there a mere moment before he shouted, "Laxus! You can't go that way! I was in a hurry so I had to forego selective passage."

Laxus paused his running and looked over his shoulder at the rune mage, scowling. "I don't know what that means, Brainiac! English, please."

"It means no one including us will be able to get through that way, not for a while," Freed said, embarrassed.

Laxus turned around and ran for the front of the building. "Anything else important I should know?"

"Yes," Freed answered, seriously rushing past the dragon-slayer. "I believe the barrier outside is beginning to crumble."

The rune mage scurried down the stone steps of the cathedral toward a spot where he could see his runes cascading downward from a fissure in the runic wall. He had lessened his focus on the main barrier in order to set the ones within the cathedral. It was a calculated risk and if he could quickly repair the damage done it would be no problem, but if he didn't there was a good chance that some of the lesser treasure hunters would grab a few things and make a run for it.

"Don't let them get away with anything," Laxus ordered as he ran past his guild mates headed to where the treasure hunters had piled their loot.

That cart damn well better still be there, he grumbled. I don't feel like having to chase them all over hell and back.

Freed worked quickly replacing fractured runes, stitching back the magical formations that made the ethereal wall become corporeal, but it was slow going and he had to fix each marred section individually and while Laxus and Freed had fought their leader inside the cathedral, the treasure hunters on the outside had systematically attacked the building's runic encirclement with every item in their arsenal: pistols, sticks of explosives, and the giant wooden staves that many of them carried.

Freed smirked smugly. His barrier was cracking in places, but he was still proud of its performance, because it wasn't the force with which they hit it that was causing its failure, but the sheer number of locations they had attacked it in. Were it not for their numbers the barrier would easily have remained intact even while he simultaneously cast the runic spells within the nave of the church. After the beating he had endured the day before, he felt a great sense of accomplishment in knowing that he was making a positive contribution to the battle even if it wasn't in the triumphant and dramatic way of his friend, Laxus.

Securing the barrier put a great strain upon him, his magic draining substantially as he fought to hold it together. He ran from one fissure to another mending the runic wall as though sewing together the knee of a well-worn pair of pants.

Freed was standing near the barrier, his sword extended replacing a number of fractured pieces of text when a group of thieves ran past him followed by the Thunder God himself. The three treasure hunters were running to the cart of loot, apparently in hopes of pocketing something before escaping Freed's runic prison. The swordsman smirked, amused by the hopelessness of their predicament. There was something about watching Laxus' prey scurrying about frantically seeking refuge from his assaults that amused the rune mage. He would have loved to be able to lean against the wall of the cathedral and watch the lion and mouse games going on, but he was too busy with tending to the barrier to give more than a cursory glance to the three thieves.

They were arguing loudly about what to do and it was enough to make Freed chuckle in spite of himself.

Yes, hide behind that bush there. I'm sure that will throw my Thunder God off your scent, he mused as he moved to another damaged spot in the runic wall. Oh, there they go, grabbing things from the cart. Tsk, tsk. Laxus is going to have teach them a lesson, I fear. Oh, that was a long attack name… they must be pissing him off.

"Forget it! We just gotta get away from him!" shouted one of the men from somewhere in the neighborhood of the pile of stolen items.

"Well, I'm not leaving here empty handed," shouted another thief, this one with a distinctly feminine timbre.

Freed sighed, Really? What clueless morons! As though there is any way they could escape with treasure at this point. They'll be lucky if they escape with their limbs intact.

While Freed finished repairing a couple of crushed runes, Laxus hurled a bout of energy in the direction of the treasure hunters who had clustered around the cart of loot. The female treasure hunter realizing she was directly in Laxus' line of fire grabbed an oval mirror from the heap of treasure beside her and used it like a shield, deflected the attack. Her plan dawned on Laxus a moment too late for him to do anything other than call the name of his friend.

"Freed!"

The rune mage turned toward his friend's call just as the reflected beam of lightning connected with the would-be lightning rod in his hand. For a split second the lightning arched between the mirror and Freed's saber, the tip of the sword sparking and sizzling like a firework about to explode. The swordsman felt the power of Laxus' lightning course through his entire body as his eyes rolled backward in his head and then the rune mage was out.

Freed fell backward, his limbs stiff, each strand of his emerald hair standing on end giving his head the appearance of an angry green porcupine, but more alarming to Laxus was the sudden collapse of the runic barrier. Like a soup bubble popping, the impenetrable wall vanished the moment Freed began his rapid descent to the ground. Forgetting all about chasing down the thieves and protecting Magnolia's treasures, Laxus ran to the young man praying under his breath that Freed was merely incapacitated and not dead. The dragon-slayer knew that he had not been holding back on that attack and to have it concentrated in the way it was… Laxus' stomach churned as he fell to his knees beside his friend. Laxus slid his hands under his unconscious Freed lifting him like a board due to the rigored state of his body.

"Freed! Come on, man, wake up!" He leaned over trying to listen and feel for breath, but with everything going on around him it was too hard to hear or see much.

"Freed, buddy, come on!" Laxus was feeling the same panicky he had felt that morning when he thought Freed had left, but this time it was magnified many times over. "Come on, you don't want those treasure hunting assholes to steal your saber do ya?" Laxus patted Freed's face. "Wake up, god damn you!" He was getting desperate. He wasn't sure what to do. This hadn't happened before. He'd accidentally hit guild mates and family with his magic before and occasionally he'd even done it intentionally, but it had never gotten concentrated in the way this attack had.

Damn him and that sword of his. Doesn't he know mages aren't supposed to need weapons! This could be bad. Really bad. I wasn't pulling any punches. God dammit! Maybe I better go get Gramps, but I can't leave him. I guess I could carry him…

Laxus looked around. He didn't even know where Makarov was at the moment. Oh, I will never forgive myself if I killed you.

Laxus leaned forward resting his head on Freed's chest willing him to come to. The Thunder God was too upset to have an accurate sense of the passage of time, but he was pretty sure that Freed should have taken a breath by this point if he was still alive. "Freed, you gotta wake up. You've got to come back. You're my only friend. Don't leave me all alone."

Laxus was about to lose it. He hadn't thought it was possible. He had become so numb after losing his mom and all the horrible things his father had done to him, but since meeting Freed all kinds of feelings were stirring within him and not just the hubris and insecurity that he routinely ebbed and flowed and within him. He felt something very strong and strange for this odd boy from a world that seemed so different from his own.

"God damn you, Freed," Laxus said as he wiped a tear away. He had worked hard not to cry since the day his dad left. He didn't let himself cry when he got no card or call on the lacrimacrystal on his birthday. Even on the anniversary of his mother's death he wouldn't allow himself to shed tears. He didn't cry when his grandfather and he argued. He didn't cry when the other guild members went out to have fun and didn't invite him. He channeled all that anger and disappointment into his magic, but this… this was too much for him to hold in.

He bent his head forward and like a spring rain the tears began to fall upon Freed's chest.

I found the friend I've always wanted and after two days I killed him. His lips curled as the tears formed rivers. How cruel was the world to do this to him after all he had been through? Why did he lose everyone?

"Ssssssss"

In between his sniffles, Laxus thought he heard something.

"Sssssssss…"

Laxus' eyes widened. He had definitely heard something. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand as he observed that Freed's body now seemed more relaxed. Laxus brought his ear to Freed's lips.

"Sssssorrrryyyy." The word was barely a whisper. Laxus would have thought he imagined it had he not felt a push of air behind each syllable of the word. Laxus smiled.

"Freed! Freed, are you alright?" Laxus shouted with elation.

Freed's pupils rolled downward settling into a cross-eyed position. "I'm sorry."

Laxus laughed. "You're sorry? I'm sorry. It wasn't like you jumped out in front of me or something."

"Not that… you were crying," Freed murmured. Freed wanted to wipe away his friend's tears before anyone could see, but he couldn't move anything other than his pupils. He felt like he was paralyzed. "And you shouldn't be holding me like this… it could… ruin your rep," Freed continued.

Laxus frowned. Having Freed call attention to his desire to have a bad boy reputation made him feel embarrassed. He didn't know what to say. He wasn't good with words. He was no good at saying the stuff that was probably the most important things to say, so instead he made a joke. "You should worry more about the way you look. You look like you stuck your finger in a lacrima socket."

Freed chuckled a little, though it sounded more like a cough than a laugh.

"Did we win?" he asked as he began to pull himself upright with Laxus' assistance.

Laxus shrugged. "Who cares as long as we all made it through in one piece?"

Freed said nothing. He felt guilty. He knew Laxus liked winning and he had wanted to teach the treasure hunters a lesson and ensure his guild's supremacy was recognized, but that was probably all screwed up now.

"I'm sorry you didn't get-"

"Shut up. I gotta leave some of the glory for the weaklings," Laxus said. "Now, quit trying to get up. I'm gonna carry you to the infirmary."

Freed spun his head to glare directly into Laxus's eyes. "Like hell you are!"

"You need to be looked at. I wasn't holding any punchs for that move."

"Then I'll walk there myself," Freed announced as though Laxus had just made a grave insult to his honor.

"Freed, don't be a stubborn bastard. You just got shocked by-"

"I got skewered by your lightning. I assure you that I am aware, but that isn't any reason to be treating me like some kind of infant. I can walk. Just help me up."

Laxus stood up and with some difficulty assisted Freed to his feet.

"There," Freed murmured. "You stand there and I'll…" Freed groaned. His body felt weird, but he would rather die than have Laxus carry him like a bride. He'd have to be closer to death to accept that… even if he did enjoy having Laxus near him.

"I don't think this is a good idea. Just let me carry-"

"No," Freed snapped.

"Fine. Can I do this at least?" Laxus growled as he wrapped his arm around the rune mage's waist so that Freed could lean against him as they walked to the guild hall. Freed smiled goofily as he buried his spiky-haired head into the side of the Thunder God's chest.

"Yeah, that's good," the rune mage assured him.

"Freed, you aren't making yourself walk just because it would look girly to-"

"You aren't the only one with pride. Now, shut up. I have a headache," moaned Freed into the blond's quadricep.

"Sorry," Laxus mumbled awkwardly as he gazed down at the top of the other boy's head. We're quite the pair, he thought as he surveyed his own blood-spattered shirt and bruised knuckles which were currently wrapped around the midsection of the boy with the emerald hair.

"Don't be. I had a lot of fun today," Freed said looking up. He wasn't smiling. He was still too dazed from his infusion of lightning to do that, but Laxus already knew him well enough to recognize the happy sparkle in his eyes.

"Me, too," he said gently patting his friend. "Me, too."