~~~Chapter Fourteen~~~

Lucy lifted her head up; a loud ringing noise erupted her left ear causing her to wince. She was covered in dust and debris littered all around her. She inhaled sharply, causing her to break into a major coughing fit, her hand clutching to her chest. Her body hurt. Her ear hurt and she couldn't hear anything besides ringing noises. She tried to push herself up only to be stopped by a set of arms wrapped around her mid waist. She glanced down to see Ciel cradling her, trying to shield her while Lily was tucked under his cloak.

"Ciel, wake up." She croaked. She waited but didn't feel any movement. "Ciel!" She wiggled her hips to try and stir him. She was trying to remain calm, feeling nauseous as the most horrible thoughts raced through her mind. She heard a faint groan, the body pinning her shifting. "Ciel." She said again to grab his attention. His head shot up to his name, realizing who the voice belonged to.

"Lucy." He quickly pushed himself up off her to examine her. He frowned looking at her. Her face was covered in dust and she had a gash above her eye brow, blood dripping from her left ear. She was dirty, bruised up, but his eyes held their gaze at her chest where a nasty black bruise already decided to announce itself. "You're hurt." He stated.

"I'll be fine. We need to find the others." Her voice cracked as she tried to stand up. She winced, feeling like she got the shit beat out of her over and over. Ciel stood up, cradling Lily in one arm while he wrapped his other arm around her waist to help support her.

"It doesn't look like we sailed that far away." He said glancing around. "But we still need to be careful." He inquired, still having an uneasy feeling.

"Was that explosion from me translating the inscription or were we attacked?" Lucy asked as they slowly walked. Ciel was trying to make it as less painful as possible for her, but no matter how he shifted them, she was still wincing.

Ciel licked his lips. "I don't know." They both stumbled their way back towards the cave, Lucy tripped landing on her knees, tears threatening her eyes. Ciel leaned down and pulled her back to her feet, steadying her. "Are you alright?" He asked in a hushed whispered.

She nodded as tears dropped from her chin. "Yes, I'm okay." She clenched her jaw. "I've been hurt worse than this." His eyes casted low at her words. Been hurt worse? That didn't settle well with him. Why didn't any one protect her?

"What do you mean hurt worse than this?" He questioned as he let her go to move a branch back. She slowly stumbled in front of him, Ciel wrapping his arm back around her waist once she was in the clear of the branch. They stopped at the sight that appeared in front of them. The cave they were once staying in was no more. Earth, trees, rock, books, personal belongings were scattered everywhere.

Lucy looked around biting her lip, her eye landing on a lacrima. "No." She mumbled. She released her hold on Ciel, dropping to her knees and crawling to the larcima. She knew that lacrima. It was definitely Laxus's. Lily stirred awake in Ciel's arms, his eyes opening to the destruction in front of him.

"Lady Lucy?" Ciel called as he watched her shakily grabbed the lacrima that laid damaged on the ground.

"Laxus?" Lucy called. She lifted her head up, her eyes frantically searching. "Laxus!" She yelled again. The lacrima glowed in her hand as Master Makarov appeared.

"Oh, my dear child. Lucy!" He said. Lucy looked down, tears pouring down her face.

"Master?" She looked towards Ciel, nodding as he crouched down beside her with Lily in his arms. The lacrima started cutting out, cracks littered the outside. She gently switched the lacrima to her other hand when the lacrima completely duded out. "Master?" She shook the lacrima. "No, damn it!" She screamed throwing the lacrima with all the effort she could muster. She broke down sobbing.

"Lucy," a paw touched her arm. She cried harder, swooping Lily up into her arms. "It'll be okay. We will find them." He comforted.

"We have to find them!" She cried pushing herself off the ground. She limped towards where the cave used to stand, Lily flying out of her arms as she started to lean down. "Levy!" She yelled picking up a rock. "Gaj!" Ciel watched, his own eyes started to tear up. This was not how he imagined how things were going to turn out. He clenched his hands into fists. Silently, giving a small nod towards the exceed, he joined the blonde in the search party.

She had no idea how long they had been digging through rubble, but long enough that it was turning into early evening. There were no signs of the rest of her team. With the little strength she had left, she heaved a heavy rock to the side, a gasp leaving her mouth catching the attention of Ciel and Lily. She looked at him and then back down at the item that laid before her. She carefully, with shaky hands picked up the unharmed Phantom Star.

"I can still save you." She whispered wiping off the dust. A small smile appeared on her lips. "I can still save someone." Lily perched himself on her shoulder while Ciel placed a hand on her other shoulder. His face turned serious, his eyes looking the blonde over. He was not the importance right now. He would be selfish if he let her save him before her friends, her family. He shifted to his other leg, taking a deep breath.

"Lucy, I'm going to be blunt. Right now, honestly, finding the others is more of a priority. Any other situation I would probably say otherwise. But after bonding with you all the past month, I realized there is more to life. I can live another day or two under a curse. But we don't have a day or two for them. I'm still trying to figure out if the explosion was a warning attack or if the inscription was set to detonate after being solved. I have no idea. I understand by law you have to obey your promise, and I will see that you do, but right now, please put that promise on hold." He pleaded as her mouth gaped open staring at him in shock. His words made her heart warm and shatter at the same time. This guy who used to be such a stranger to them now has became one of the most important people in her life. "Can you see if Leo and Virgo could come through their gates and help keep guard? I hate to ask, but you're my priority and we're both badly injured. I don't see us doing much good in our state."

"She doesn't need to ask. We will do anything for our Princess." Virgo said as she appeared from a golden light in a slight bow. A noise behind them, made them jump as Loke stood on two different leveled rocks, his eyes surveying the area.

"Princess. Don't worry. We will do everything we can." Loke said pursing his lips at the pitiful state his master was in. It disgusted him to see her like that.

"Miss Lucy." A cold snout nudged her leg. Startled, she glanced down to peer into two golden eyes. Her shoulders started shaking as she stared at her second silver key spirit to come out of their own gate without needing her. A wolf, almost the same size as her if he would to stand on his hind legs sat in front of her. His fur was thick, a variety of white, grays, and browns weaved in his fur.

"Oh, Finn." She cried hugging him around his neck. The wolf licked his master's cheek, catching all the escaping tears.

"I will scout for your friends. I will start with the lightning dragon slayer since his scent is bonded with you." Finn stated folding one paw under his chest in a dog like manner bow. Lucy placed a tiny hand on his head and gave a small pat.

"I am forever indebted to you. Please, find my friends." She whispered with hope in her voice.

"I will do everything in my power. I will keep you informed." Finn said as he stood back up and high tailed it out towards the direction, he felt would benefit him the best. Lucy and the others watched as the wolf disappeared in the trees.

"Princess. Finn is determined. He will not come back empty handed. He may have to take breaks here and there, but he will find them so please don't cry." Loke said as he finally headed towards his master, her eyes staring at him. She wanted to break down and scream at the top of her lungs. She wanted to punch and break things. She wanted to curl up into a ball and cry herself into oblivion. But then that would only show that she was weak, that she had given up and that is not her motto. Her motto is to always fight for what you believe in. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands and took a deep, calming breath.

"I have all my faith in him. I think right now, we should set up a camp." She said turning on her heel to glance at Ciel. "Ciel, I'm so sorry. I owe you everything."

Ciel shook his head. "You don't owe me anything Miss Lucy. You solved the inscription on the cave wall which only leaves the inscription on the Phantom Star. That shouldn't take as nearly as long, and we can do that on the way to get Aquarius's key." He watched as her eyes lit up.

"Right." She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes with a contented sigh. Her body relaxing, but with that she collapsed towards the rubble as her adrenaline rush wore off. Loke shot forward and caught his master before she endured more injuries.

"Have Aries make her a bed. She's more injured than you can see." Ciel said towards Loke, his eyes waiting for Loke's to meet his. Loke however, avoided his eyes, but nodded agreeing. A tent was pitched, complimentary of Virgo with a nice wool bed for both Ciel and Lucy. Lily cuddled up into the exhausted celestial mage's arms as Loke gave a satisfied smile.

Ciel sat on a rock in front of the small fire that was made. Night was fully casted, no stars in the sky. He listened to the chirps of crickets, the hoot of owls, and whatever other creatures came out at night. Loke took a seat on the opposite side, his arms crossed as he glared at the celestial-light mage. Ciel met his glare but returning it with a defeated sigh.

"Look, I understand you despise me. I realize I'm a terrible person. I wish I had the guidance back in that time. But I didn't." Ciel started to explain. Loke didn't budge, but he lifted an eye brow. "When I first met Lucy, I will admit, I still only cared for myself." Loke wiggled on the rock to get more comfortable but he signaled to continue. Ciel nodded as he tossed a rock into the fire. "Getting to know her, I realized that she is an important aspect of my life. I fully understand now what it means to be a Sirius and why the Sirius bloodline protected the Heartfilia celestial mages. They have hearts that no other human could possibly think to possess. Lucy is one of a kind. Then there's Laxus, whom I watched over the month or so, the love and admiration he showed for her. I respect him, and she looks at him with the same adoration. I happily admit that I love Lucy like my own sister, kin. Laxus asked me one night what I was going to do once the curse was lifted. He put aside all his feelings in respect of her.

"He asked me if I was going to choose life or move on. But his words, the way he spoke to me, I don't think he was only referring to Lucy's feelings on the matter that I should live. I think he feels the same. We grew close. Probably the closet I've came to a male companion in centuries. But he told me I better decide to live because he never wanted to watch Lucy go down that path again. He more or less said she formed a bond with me, and he couldn't understand why."

Loke listened patiently. He didn't think he could ever forget what the mage did to Anna, to Layla. How he helped the world go to destruction. Loke knew that Ciel didn't physically partake in the matter, but he was associated with it.

But.

If his master, his Princess, can see past it, then maybe he should forgive the kid. But that doesn't make them best friends. He knew that for damn sure. He was still going to be on guard with him, until he felt that the kid could truly be trusted. He will, however, thank him for saving his Princess.

"Ciel." Loke began clearing his throat. "I will be civil with you. No more dirty looks or sneer comments. But, that doesn't mean I trust you or that we're best friends. This is all for the sake of my Princess." Loke turned towards the tent where she slept. "You saved her, protected her. I do owe you for that. If it wasn't for you, she could have turned out worse." Loke started coughing, clearing his throat as the words were getting stuck in his throat. "I'm…I'm sorry. Thank you." The words tasted disgusting on his tongue for he did truly mean it. But he was telling them to someone he'd prefer to just forget.

"I get it, Loke. No need to apologize or thank me. Just please, help me keep her safe and find the others, especially Laxus." Ciel said staring at the fire. "I don't want to see her soul if we can't find Laxus."

He groaned as he started to come to, his head fuzzy and his chest heavy. He forced his eye lids to open, over blinking trying to adjust. He was inside a cave, lying on top of his coat. He shifted his head to look around, to take in his surroundings. He could hear murmurs on the other side of the cave. But it wasn't voices he recognized, or at least they weren't the voices of his teammates. He bit his tongue as he forced himself to sit up. The three bodies that were gathered around the small camp fire went quiet and stared at him.

"Laxus, you're awake." The blunette male stated. He stood up, his cloak swaying behind him. "Can I ask you why you're in Seven, by yourself?" He asked. Laxus focused his eyes on the male now standing in front of him. After his eye sight cleared, his eyes widened.

"Jellal?" His hoarse voice asked. "Where the hell am I?" He asked looking around. "Where's Blondie? And the others?" Jellal turned towards the other two bodies as they stood up and appeared next to him.

"Blondie? Laxus, who was all with you?" Jellal asked squatting down. Laxus turned his attention to the rose-colored hair woman who stood protectively behind Jellal. The other male next to him made him narrow his eyes as he tried to register who he was.

"Don't be thinking too hard there, mate." He said in a joking manner.

"Cobra." Laxus said, his name feeling like acid on his lips. Cobra rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

"Laxus, not the time. So, you weren't by yourself? Who else was with you?" Jellal asked in a sharp tone, making Laxus jerk his head back by his voice. His head was pounding, his hand instinctively grabbed the side of it as he clenched his jaw.

"Lucy, Levy, Gajeel, and the kid Ciel." Laxus hissed out. "Where'd you find me? How long have I been out?" He felt himself start to panic, his magic starting to surge through his veins. He felt a soft hand on his forearm.

"Meredy?" Jellal said. She only smiled at Jellal.

"He's worried." She said softly. "We found you a mile west of Silician. You were knocked out. I think it's been over twelve hours roughly?" Meredy released her hand and stood back up. Cobra turned away frowning.

"He's worried about the blonde." Cobra spoke up, Laxus tensing up.

"Get out of my head." Laxus spat. He laid back down. He had never felt so much pain, not even when he was poisoned. And that was some serious pain he had felt. His mind was reeling. He needed to find Lucy. If he felt this bad from being outside the cave, then he could only imagine how hurt she was. And everyone else. He clenched his hands into fists.

But it wasn't a natural caused explosion. He saw them, the dark guild surrounding the area and that's when the explosion happened. He knew that his grandfather was probably going crazy, which only meant he probably was going to send reinforcements. He wanted to groan at that thought.

"Jellal, do you have a lacrima I could use to contact the old man?" Laxus asked. "I was on the line with him when this all happened. I can only imagine the frenzy the guild is in. Actually, I don't know if I want to know." He groaned his arm crossing his eyes. Meredy released a small giggle as Jellal dug into his pocket.

"It's not a projection lacrima, it's the new cell lacrima. But it all works the same." Jellal said as he extended his hand out with the lacrima. Laxus reached up and grabbed it, channeling his magic for the old man.

"Fairy Tail Guild Hall." Mira's voice sounded on the lacrima. Laxus licked his lips.

"Mira, where's the old man?" He asked. He heard silence before crying wailed through the speaker. He heard a lot of shouting in the background, he moved the phone away from his ear.

"Master! It's Laxus!" Mira cried in what sounded like relief.

"Laxus?" Makarov's voice shook. "O,h my boy. You are okay. That is a relief!"

Laxus chuckled. "It'll take more than an explosion to get rid of me."

"I assume you found Lucy?" Makarov asked. Laxus's eyes flew open.

"What do you mean? No, I'm still separated from them. I was actually found by, er," his eyes shifted towards Jellal. He nodded that it was okay. "Jellal, Meredy, and Cobra actually found me. Crime Sociere."

There was silence. "Dear boy. Lucy somehow activated your lacrima. I'm not sure how coherent she was, but the line died." Laxus shot up ignoring the pain.

"She what? So that means she's by the cave site we've been at." He turned towards Jellal. "Can you please take me there?"

"Laxus. I will be sending you back up. My decision is final." Makarov stated.

"You'll do no such thing Gramps." Laxus hissed. "Like I told you guys, if it was that guild, the only attacks that affect the mages is Light and Celestial. If I can get Jellal to team up, that would give us three total mages." He knew he was putting Jellal and the rest of his team on the spot, having anymore teammates come after them is the last thing he wanted. And for some odd reason, he had a weird sense who he would be sending and that was definitely not going to happen.

"I'm sorry Laxus, but I am the Master of this guild and I cannot watch my children get hurt anymore. You will have reinforcements. I will send them coordinates to Silician and we can go from there." Laxus hissed and disconnected the lacrima. He was done listening to him. He let the old man know that he was fine and a live, so there was no need to stay on the line and listen to him.

"Idiot." He grumbled.

"Laxus, care to explain why you're here in the first place so we have more of an understanding on how to help you?" Jellal asked as he sat down. Laxus groaned and started from the beginning. How the archeologists sent the request, running into Ciel, the inscription, Phantom Star, and Diabolos Abigor.

"Phantom Star?" Jellal asked tilting his head. "The rare relic of the Sirius family?" He asked. Laxus nodded rubbing his face. "That was supposed to be nonexistent. That's amazing you guys came across that relic."

Laxus shrugged. "The kid isn't a threat, but he's been under the curse of Eternal Hell since X300's and blondie promised she would set his soul free." He closed his eyes.

"And celestial spirits never break their promises. I see." Jellal mumbled. "Why don't you get some rest and we'll head back to your camp site in the morning. It'll probably take a few days give or take." Laxus nodded his head in agreement. If he could have it his way, he would leave now. But he knew that wasn't going to happen just because he was in a shitty situation. He could hardly move as it was. He tuned their voices out as he focused on Lucy, on her eyes and her smile. He imagined her touch, the warmth of her hands.

He was dreaming. He was dreaming that he and Lucy were on a beach. He was laying on his back, one arm behind his head and the other draped over Lucy who was lying on her belly cuddled to his chest. They were watching the sunset over the ocean, the sound of the water lapping the shore was relaxing. She was smiling, he was smiling.

A wet sensation made his nose twitch. Something was poking at his arm. He swatted away, but the object only dodged him and started poking him again. Whatever the poking was interrupted his peaceful dream and he was not happy. If anything, it really annoyed the shit out of him.

"What the hell?" Laxus groaned as he opened his eyes and was staring at a pair of golden eyes. He blinked a few times before registering he was having a staring contest with a damn wolf. He wasn't sure what to think. He was more curious as to the why the wolf was sitting on its butt, head tilted smiling at him with his tongue hanging out. "Uh." He looked around to see Cobra lounging on the ground, one leg kicked over the other while Jellal and Meredy were nowhere in sight.

"I finally found you." The voice said inside Laxus's head. He stared at the wolf curious. "To answer your curiosity, I am Finn, a celestial spirit. I was sent to find you and I promised Miss Lucy that I would not return unless I had you in haul." Finn stated matter of fact.

"Is she okay?" Laxus asked. He heard Cobra shift up and stare at Laxus and the wolf interested.

"She still hasn't woken up. I've been checking in with Loke every six hours. I've been traveling for a day and a half to find you. Miss Lucy has been injured pretty badly, but Ciel and Leo have been looking after her." Finn explained. "We must go at once." Finn demanded standing on all fours staring at the slayer. He was trying to comprehend everything the wolf was telling him.

"Whoa, hold on. Give me a minute." Laxus grumbled as he stood up lifting his arms above his head stretching. He felt his muscles scream at him, not completely recovered. He ignored the pain by biting the inside of his cheek. He bent down and picked up his coat, swinging it over his shoulders. Cobra stood up himself and waited.

"Jellal and Meredy are outside waiting for us. The wolf and them already spoke so they know of the situation." Cobra said as he turned and led the way outside. Laxus grunted but didn't respond. He was ready to be back in his Blondie's arms. They kept saying she was injured, but how injured? Their words weren't sitting well, just because no one could tell him if she was for sure okay or not. And she's been unconscious? That made him tense. Whoever was responsible for all this was going to pay, and he personally would make sure of that.

Levy felt herself lying on a cold, wet concrete floor. Her body felt heavy and cold. Her muscles screamed at her. Her head was spinning and throbbing. She groaned trying to remember what the hell exactly happened. She opened her eyes to see bars. Bars? She lifted her head up to where she sat on her palms at chin height as she glanced around. She was in a cell. Another body caught her eye. She squinted trying to make out the figure, when she noticed the gloved, manly hand.

"Gajeel." She croaked. She crawled ignoring the itching pain in her ankle and wrist. She got to his body, patting him down. She put her fingers to his neck and sighed a sign of relief when she felt his pulse. "Gaj, babe." She shook him. She felt his arm snake around her as he groaned in pain as well.

"What the hell happened?" He asked popping one eye open but not showing any sign of moving.

"There was an explosion and next thing I knew, I woke up and we're in a cell." She whispered. "I think we got captured." She whimpered looking around. There was hardly any light, the little light they did have came from two tiny torches on the wall. His grip tightened around her as he pulled his arm back to sit up.

"Well isn't that fucking lovely." He spat. "What about Bunny?" He asked looking around but realizing that it was just the two of them in the cell. His eyes widened with fear. He was relieved that Levy was okay with him, although he wasn't exactly thrilled that they had been captured. But Bunny was all by herself and that scared the hell out of him.

Levy shook her head as tears formed in her eyes. "I'm sorry Gaj, I don't know where she is. You're the only one inside this cell with me." She knew that that wasn't what he wanted to hear. She knew Lucy was like a sister to him and he was just as protective of her as he was over herself. Lucy after all was her best friend, like a sister she never had.

In the distance, Gajeel heard foot steps approaching. He tensed, then pulling Levy over his lap trying to hide her behind him. Boots were dragging on the concrete floor as a male walked up and stopped in front of the cell door. He had silvery-grey hair that was tied into a man bun. He was wearing a black tunic with maroon slacks that were tucked into mid shin length combat boots. He snickered at the door as he watched his two victims cowered down and away from him.

"Well aren't you two souls the unlucky victims. We were only able to capture the two of you, but don't worry soon enough we'll eventually get the others." He laughed. "You aren't from this country, I can tell."

Gajeel clicked his tongue, then growled. "Who the fuck are you?"

The guy chuckled. "Language. I am Golem, the right-hand man of the master. It's a pleasure to meet you I suppose. Not that you'll be a live long enough."

Gajeel felt Levy lower herself into his side. He could tell she was scared beyond her wits, her little body shaking but he could tell she was trying to suppress it, probably trying to not let him know her fear. He was relieved to hear that they were the only one's whom gotten captured, but he'd be damned if they'll get anyone else.

"Hmph. Good luck trying." Gajeel spat. Golem smiled a huge toothy grin.

"Tsk, tsk. Don't be so cocky. Your time is coming." Golem said as he winked and turned around walking away, leaving the two mages in the dark. Gajeel clenched his jaw, swallowing hard. Levy was sniffling off to his side. She searched for his rough calloused hand and slipped her fingers in-between his.

"I love you Gajeel." She whispered kissing his cheek. He turned sideways and cupped her cheek with his free hand.

"Don't worry Shrimp. We will get out of here. It's not going to be easy, but we are Faries, and nothing will stand in our way." Gajeel preached as he kissed her forehead. "And Shrimp, I love you too."

A/N: Soooo what do you guys think? Is it getting interesting? I hope everyone enjoyed, and I hope everyone is enjoying the quick updates! So Lucy, Ciel, and Lily are grouped together. Jellal, Meredy, and Cobra find Laxus. Then Gajeel and Levy get captured. And can you guess who the reinforcements are? Feel free to review, favorite and follow! I love hearing your guy's thoughts! And below, enjoy the sneak peek at chapter fifteen!

~~~Sneak Peek of Chapter Fifteen~~~

"Loke." Ciel said trying to catch his attention. The guy already trudged about an inch into the ground from all the pacing. Loke still paced as if he hadn't heard Ciel. Ciel rolled his eyes as he stood up and placed himself in front of Loke. Loke slammed into him, jumping back in shock. "Loke." Ciel said again. The spirit looked haunted. His skin was pale, his eyes dull and droopy. "Go back to the spirit world and get your energy back. Have Virgo stay in your place. You've been out of the spirit world for too long. For Lucy's sake, please listen to me. She would never forgive us if something happened to her beloved lion." Ciel wanted to gag on the last part, but it was the truth and he had to swallow it. Lucy was very fond of all her spirits, especially Loke.

"Yo-you're right. I will be back soon." He said disappearing back to the spirit world. Ciel took a deep breath of relief. He walked inside the tent, kicking off his boots and lied down on his portion of the wool. Lily lifted his head up noticing Ciel. He untangled himself from Lucy's grip and flew down and sat next to Ciel.

"You make that spirit of hers go home?" Lily asked. Ciel slightly nodded and closed his eyes.

"Yes. If he stayed out any longer it could have killed him. She would never forgive me or him if anything happened to him." Ciel stated sadly. "And regardless if he hates me, I never want to see that happen to him. He's a good guy, a loyal spirit."

"Everyone makes mistakes. Don't beat yourself up over them." Lily said as he made his way to where he had sat his sword and swung it back over his shoulders.

"I understand that. But some cannot be forgiven." He sighed. "Some mistakes cannot be forgotten."

"I see. And what mistake are you referring to if you don't mind me asking?" Lily asked as he sat down cross legged on the side of Ciel's make shape bed. Ciel stared up at the ceiling of the tent, listening to his heart pound.

"It was my fault the curse was casted upon my family in the first place." He admitted. "If the curse hadn't been casted, I wouldn't be the only living Sirius living."