Thunder & Lightning
Chapter 11: Firm Resolve
Death. Such a simple, small word yet it could make even the heartiest of warriors stop in their tracks and tremble with fear. Was the note of finality that often accompanied it or the fact that it signified the end of, well, everything? The fear of the afterlife was overwhelming although, Laxus suspected, if people actually knew what awaited them then there would be no fear nor hesitation but that would defeat the purpose. Some people spent their entire lives doing good deeds in order to buy their way to a better place while others did nothing but wicked deeds. Personally, Laxus preferred to enjoy himself; what was the point of living if you couldn't even have fun?
It was beyond rare for the Lightning Dragon Slayer to be so introspective, he usually preferred to leave such matters to Freed. However, something had happened. Something so dreadful that Laxus was left with no choice but to contemplate their mortal existence. Lisanna was dead. Sweet, little Lisanna Strauss whom he had known since she joined the guild was gone. She was the first member of Fairy Tail in twenty-one years to die, the last one having been Laxus's mother who had died during childbirth.
It wasn't just the fact that Lisanna had died, it was the way she had died. Killed by her own brother no less while her sister just sat there and watched. The two people in this world that she had depended on, had trusted absolutely to protect her had failed her when she needed them the most. Neither her siblings nor the guild that she called home had been strong enough to save her. There hadn't even been a body to bury.
That was what scared Laxus the most; the people she loved couldn't save her. What did that say about the rest of them? If Mira Jane of all people hadn't been able to save her little sister, then what about Laxus? Who was to say that when the time came he would be able to protect his family? He looked over at them, his lips curving into a smile despite his dismal thoughts. The three of them were curled up in a pile; Freed lay on the outside, his back facing Laxus in an attempt to provide whatever shelter he could for Evergreen who lay in the middle, clutching one of their hands in each of her own while Bickslow protected her other side, his broad back providing a slightly better defense as his babies looked relatively comfortable, perching on whatever parts of his body they could.
As quickly as the smile came, however, it disappeared. They had only met Lisanna once or twice yet her death had shaken them just as it had Laxus. Earlier that morning he had been laughing at Bickslow's antics and now he couldn't stop seeing their dead, broken bodies in his mind. What if they died because Laxus was too weak? No, he decided, no he couldn't let that happen. He refused to let anything bad happen to them; he would protect them no matter what. He would just have to become stronger than everyone else, stronger than the old man even.
"Laxus?" Makarov's face looked unusually grim in the communication lacrima.
"What do you want, old man?" Laxus scowled although it was purely reflexive by now.
"Lisanna's dead, she was killed while on an emergency S-class mission with Mira and Elfman," the old man was never one to be subtle, preferring instead to be blunt much like Laxus himself.
"What?" Laxus was both shocked and horrified. "She's dead?"
"Dead?" Freed and the others turned to look at him but he chose to ignore them for now.
"I'm afraid so. The funeral's in two days, is there any chance that you can make it back in time?" Makarov didn't sound very hopeful.
"I'm afraid not, it took us a week to get here and we're still not done with the job yet," Laxus answered honestly. As it was a job dealing with a giant monster he couldn't in good conscience just leave before it was taken care of.
"I understand," there was a heavy sigh. "You kids take care and come back safe."
"Sure thing," Laxus nodded then stuffed the lacrima back into his bag once the link had been severed.
"Laxus?" Freed looked worried. "Has something happened?"
Laxus shook his head, clearing his mind of the memory. Now was not the time to be dwelling on the past, he had to think of the future. The first thing he had to do was figure out a plan of action. He needed to make the guild stronger but he knew that his grandfather would just probably say something to the effect that the guild was already strong enough even though this clearly proved that it wasn't. he was reluctant to let his thoughts go further, something deep inside warning him that if he continued down this path then there would be turning back. But if he didn't do something then there was a good possibility that the next funeral Fairy Tail had could very well be one of the Thunder Legion's. He had sworn to himself, long ago, that he would never betray their trust, that he would do whatever was necessary to protect them, to prove that their loyalty wasn't in vain.
"All right then," he whispered. "If Gramps isn't willing to do whatever it takes to protect the members of this guild then I'll just have to take over. I'll even use force if I have to. It's funny isn't it, Gramps? You always teased me that I had my own private army now I guess it's time to put them to good use."
A cold wind swept through the campsite, chilling Laxus to the bone as though Nature herself was expressing her disappointment in his actions. He ignored it though, simply tugging the fur coat tighter around his shoulders. Laxus Dreyar wasn't a quitter and now that he had decided on his course of action then there would be no backing out, no second guessing himself. He suspected that the others wouldn't be thrilled but they would do as he asked. First though, he had to make them stronger.
The sun rose, it's brilliant rays hitting still sleeping faces and warming them as their owners reluctantly woke up.
"Get up, you lazy bums," Laxus walked over to them. "I've been going too easy on you guys and its high time I increased your training. By the time I'm done with you the Thunder Legion will be the strongest team in Fairy Tail."
"And then what?" Freed asked as he slowly untangled himself from Evergreen and sat up.
"And then we're going to take over Fairy Tail."
"We're going to do what?" the three shouted at once.
A/N: Hope you guys liked! While I never really cared for the episode about Lisanna I figured that it could've been a catalyst for an already rebellious Laxus. While he was a jerk later on, considering how close he is to the Thunder Legion, I thought this made a better reason for him to try and take over the guild then simply proving that he's stronger than Makarov. Thanks for all the reviews! Please read and review!
