Part 24
The Fairy Tail Guild had returned to Magnolia but the mood in the guild was far from happy or celebratory. The Grand Magic Games had been canceled after the dragon showed up. When Aurora flew out of Crocus she had made the members of Winter Solstice attack various parts of town. A few had died but hundreds were injured. Now the Winter Solstice was wanted throughout the kingdom.
Makarov had tried to talk to the king and the magic council about what was really going on. But they didn't listen to his pleas. The members of Winter Solstice might be controlled by some other power but it was their magic that caused the damages. They had chosen the dragon before they were controlled, chosen willingly. So they were going to be arrested and dealt with in the appropriate way.
That hurt the Fairy Tail Guild. Their friends weren't in charge of their own actions, so how could they be judged for them? But something that bothered them more was the question about how Freed, Gray and Lyon were alive. They had figured that the dragon had faked killing them and showed Natsu the image to make them stop looking for the duo. But Freed… they had no idea. But they were soon going to know the truth.
The guild looked up when the doors were opened and Mest walked in. On either side of him was a member of the magic council, Jura and Warrod. Mest looked as if he'd been in a fight and there was an angry air around him.
"Mest?" Makarov asked. "What is going on? What's the meaning of this?" the last he aimed at Jura and Warrod.
"We are here to explain", Jura said and sighed. "And apologize."
"Apologize? Apologize for what?"
"We feel that this could have all been slightly avoided had the council not kept this hidden from you for so long", Warrod said and looked at Mest. "And if we had allowed Mest-kun to speak his mind."
"What's that supposed to mean", Erza asked and crossed her arms. Mest sighed and looked around at the members of his guild, people he had forgotten were his friends. His eyes landed on the Thunder Legion. He noticed Laxus narrow his eyes and small lightning bolts danced around his coat. Mest bit his lip but then sighed.
"I knew Freed was alive u-" he began but as soon as those words left his mouth a bolt of lightning came flying towards him. It didn't hit because Jura encased him in a stone like coffin. Laxus was looking murderous and prepared for another attack but his grandfather stopped him with a firm hand to his chest, using his magic to reach of course.
"Laxus stop", he said calmly, but he was angry as well. "Let's hear what he has to say."
Laxus growled but did as he was told. Many people around him looked as murderous as him though. Jura decided it was for the best to let Mest stay inside the stones. Mest sighed and started telling them what he knew, well yelled what he knew. He told them how he as Doranbolt had teleported to the island to save as many of them as he could. But when he got there he heard what Freed was doing. Just before Acnologia's attack he had teleported to Freed's side and then teleported off of the island. He told them what had happened on the ship; how Freed had pulled his sword and had to be "taken care of".
"That doesn't explain why he wasn't returned to us", Laxus yelled.
"The council decided it was too risky for him to be running around loose", Mest replied. "If Acnologia found out that the person that stopped him from destroying Tenrou Island was still running around… he'd try and get revenge. He'd go after the guy and destroy everything in his path. I was better if word of his demise spread…"
"Where was he then?" Bickslow growled angrily.
"At council HQ", Mest replied. "Then when Tartaros attacked and blew the place up… I was told he was dead. Since Freed wasn't a prisoner I was told he was allowed to move around in certain rooms. He'd been in the library when Tartaros attacked. I was sure he was dead so when I got my real memories back I decided to not tell anyone because it would only hurt everyone else more."
"But clearly he survived as well", Erza objected.
"I don't know how!"
"I do", Jura said and all eyes were on him. He released Mest who stared at him as well. Jura sighed. "Freed wasn't in the library. The former council had sent him to another town with a branch of Rune Knights to capture a dangerous criminal. When they got back the headquarters was destroyed and the cells were too damaged to stay in. So the guards, who all thought Mr. Justine was a criminal as well, had him moved with the rest of the prisoners."
"Wait", Erza said and stared at him. "We were there to help! Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Happy and I!"
"Yes I am aware of that. I was told by the captain of the guards that you had indeed seen him and that he had called out to you. Perhaps he was mistaken?"
All eyes turned to team Natsu, but especially to Natsu, Lucy and Happy. Laxus suddenly understood what Freed's gaze had meant. He slowly walked up to the trio and loomed over them.
"Something you want to tell us", he growled darkly. Natsu looked confused, Lucy hid her face and Happy looked deep in thought. Then all of a sudden he stiffened and started waving his arms around. He was talking so fast they could barely hear what he said. But the tears streaming down his cheeks showed them all he was truly sorry for what he had done… whatever that was. Carla walked up to him and grabbed his face between her paws.
"Calm down tomcat!" she yelled and he stopped speed-talking. "Now tell us what you were trying to say." Happy nodded and took a deep breath.
"I didn't mean to forget him honest!" he began in a normal pace… but then he started talking faster again when he saw how angry Laxus looked. "But then there was those dangerous criminals that tried to break free and Natsu and Lucy said we'd come back for Freed after we helped the guards. But after the fight I forgot about it because Natsu showed me this big fish stand and I was hungry and I was sure they'd go save him while I ate but then they were hungry too and then I forgot!"
"Laxus wait!" Erza called but it was too late. The lightning dragon slayer twirled around and let loose a pair of powerful lightning bolts. They headed straight towards Natsu and Lucy. Lucy screamed but Natsu managed to grab her and jump out of the way. But Laxus wasn't going to let them get away. He flew at Natsu and punched him in the face so hard the pink haired slayer and Lucy went through one of the walls.
Laxus kept going after them, hitting, kicking and using his magic. But Natsu just by luck managed to avoid the strongest attacks and managed to protect Lucy. The rest of the guild tried to stay out of the way and Makarov, Erza and Jura tried to calm Laxus down. But it wasn't working. Laxus had suffered a lot with the loss of his best friend. He'd also been affected about how the loss of the very same person had affected Bickslow and Evergreen. It hurt him to see them in pain.
So now he was going to hurt the people causing that pain and face it… had Natsu and Lucy saved Freed that time… Winter Solstice would have one less member. Freed wouldn't be in danger! Freed wouldn't be wanted by the magic council and the king! Freed wouldn't be losing his soul! Laxus created a powerful lightning bolt. He threw it at Natsu and Lucy. Natsu jumped aside and Laxus' eyes widened in fear. Natsu had been standing in front of Wendy! Wendy screamed in fright but she needn't worry. Laxus' attack never hit her. Bickslow pushed her aside. The lightning that would've hit Natsu in the chest, Wendy in the face, now hit Bickslow full force in the stomach. Laxus' eyes widened when he caught the scent of blood before Bickslow was thrown back amongst lots of tables, destroying them completely and getting scraps and wounds all over.
"BICKSLOW!" Evergreen screeched and ran over to the rubble that was covering her friend. Laxus' body trembled and he ran over as well. Elfman, Lisanna, Mirajane and the master followed. Elfman and Laxus threw all the rubble aside. Evergreen helped as well and when she saw her friend she gasped. She dropped down beside him and put his head in her lap. She took off his helmet and caressed his Mohawk soothingly. Bickslow had multiple broken bones, his stomach was bleeding badly and there was a massive burn from where Laxus' lightning had hit him. He was covered in scrapes and minor cuts and his closed eyes were twitching in pain. Laxus gripped Bickslow's shoulder and shook him gently.
"Dude wake up", he said. Bickslow opened one eye and grinned weakly. "you okay?"
"Man if that's how you show people you love 'em Laxus… count me out 'kay?" Bickslow answered and groaned.
"Promise", Laxus replied and squeezed his shoulder. "Can you sit up?"
"Nope", Bickslow answered.
"I'll help!" Wendy called and hurriedly got there. She kneeled beside Bickslow and started working on healing him.
"You okay man?" Elfman asked worriedly.
"Sure", Bickslow said. "Luckily I was buried by some tables this time and not a big pile of cows. That hurts."
"I'm sorry you had to save me again", Wendy said while she continued healing him.
"Well you're worth it kiddo", Bickslow groaned, reached up and patted her head soothingly. While all this was going on Natsu had seen his and Lucy's chance to run. But sadly for them Jet had decided that he didn't want them to go.
He and Droy had always regretted what they did to Freed. In Jet's mind the first step to make it up to their Rune Mage was making sure the truth got out. He set off at top speed after Natsu and grabbed his shoulder. He brought Natsu back. But Natsu tried to run again. Jet brought him back again. This kept repeating itself. No one really noticed though because everyone was focusing on Bickslow right now. But that didn't last. When Bickslow got up, with Laxus and Elfman's help, all attention turned to the strange sounds by the door.
They were greeted with Jet pushing Natsu back into the guild. Natsu growled and tried to escape again, only this time it wasn't Jet that stopped him, it was Macao. He stood in the door and looked at Natsu with a look that he used on Romeo when he was disappointed in him. Natsu froze in that instant. Macao had always been there for him. He bit his lip and sighed, setting Lucy down. The guild surrounded them.
"I forgot", he said and looked at his feet. "We saw him and I was overjoyed! He was alive and that meant I could challenge him for real! But before we could go save him some nasty prisoners tried to escape and one of them-"
"Let me guess", Evergreen said and glared at him. "Someone mentioned Igneel and you forgot everything else?"
"They made fun of him!" Natsu protested. "They said he was a stupid fire breathing lizard that couldn't even protect anyone!"
"That is still no excuse to forget your nakama!" Erza yelled at him and Natsu looked at his feet. "Now what's your excuse Lucy?"
Lucy didn't look at her, she sat at a table with her arms crossed. She had an angry huff on her face. She didn't understand why they were so angry. She had only acted in a way she thought was for the best for their guild. She looked up at Erza.
"I did it to protect our guild", she said and got up. "I was sure it was an imposter that tried to trick us. We've seen that type of magic before. So I assumed that was the case and ignored to remind Natsu and Happy."
"But Lucy how could an enemy know about Freed?" Levy asked.
"I don't know but I was sure of it! There was no way Freed had survived that attack from Acnologia. I knew he wasn't strong enough to survive it all on his own! There was no way that man we saw was the real Freed!"
"But it was him", Wendy said. "We all saw it."
"Now yes! But then I had no idea of knowing, I preferred to be safe!"
"Rather safe than sorry?" Laxus growled darkly, lightning sparkling around him again, but Bickslow pulled him a little closer to his side to sooth him. Evergreen gripped Laxus' hand.
"I didn't know it was him!"
"You didn't bother to check?"
"It was impossible!"
"Stop fighting", Mirajane yelled and all eyes were on her. "It doesn't matter who's at blame for this. What I want to know is why Jura and Warrod didn't return him to us when they became parts of the council!"
All eyes turned to the two council members. Jura explained why. Like the old council they knew that if word got out that Freed was alive and word about him stopping Acnologia got out… people would spread it with awe and soon word would reach the black dragon of the apocalypse. When words got to him he'd want revenge. It would be dangerous for thousands of people. If they kept Freed's existence hidden they'd spare a lot of lives. Jura was sorry for their actions and they could see it on his face, but that didn't mean Laxus and his Thunder Legion were ready to forgive and forget just yet. They had something far more important to worry about. And that was how to free their friends from the clutches of Winter Solstice's Master. They also needed to figure out what her next move would be and they needed to figure it out fast.
"Guys!" Warren suddenly screamed and came running back into the room. His communication's lacrima had beeped a little bit ago. "Winter Solstice has made their first move!"
"What's wrong Warren", Erza asked.
"Hibiki just contacted me!" Warren said. "A member of the Winter Solstice passed through a nearby town from their guild! The person walked up to a house and blew it up! Then he brutally killed the owner of the house!"
"But why?" Mira asked. "I thought they were going after Dragon Slayers."
"They are", Warren replied. "It was Ruben Paramore a spider dragon slayer."
"A spider dragon slayer?" Gajeel asked confused.
"According to sources", Warren said. "His eye was missing."
"Why?"
"Because that's where he inserted the dragon slayer lacrima", Makarov replied.
"WHAT!?" Everyone yelled.
"Ruben Paramore", Makarov said. "He is the man that created the dragon slayer lacrimas. I remember Ivan mentioning his name."
Laxus stiffened. He also remembered the name and he remembered the painful experience of putting that lacrima in. He wondered how painful it was to take it out. Then he remembered something.
"Shit", he swore and now all eyes were on him.
"What's the matter", Erza asked.
"If I remember correctly from when I got my lacrima… that man Paramore wrote down the type and my name in a tome. He kept records of everyone getting those lacrimas. They were experimental."
"True", Makarov said while nodding. "yours was the first working one."
"So that means that now Winter Solstice has a record of all mages who has those lacrimas implanted… failure and not. Which means…"
"They already have new targets", Erza said.
"That means Erik is in danger", Kinana exclaimed in horror. Macao rubbed her back soothingly.
"And Laxus", Evergreen added. "And everyone on that list."
"As well as the non-lacrima dragon slayers", Levy added and looked at Gajeel. "What should we do?"
"We're splitting up", Makarov said. "Three teams. One team staying here in case Winter Solstice arrives. Team Shadow Gear along with Evergreen, Lisanna and Elfman will go to the magical library. Laki along with Macao, Max, Juvia, Romeo and Wakaba will go to Paramore's house and have a look around."
"Why the library Master?" Levy asked.
"We need to find out more about Aurora", Makarov said. "She seems different from other dragons."
The three teams nodded and moved out.
"Why aren't we going gramps?" Gajeel demanded to know. Truth was Makarov didn't want any of his slayers to be killed. He was sure he had sent his children into traps, but he was also sure that the Winter Solstice wouldn't kill people who weren't dragon slayers. At least that was the little hope he had.
TBC