Lucy and Laxus had been in the forest for a while now. About five days and the bandits that stole from the towns people were nowhere to be seen. Lucy sighed in frustration as she was out scouting the forest. She had given Laxus the slip and decided to look for them on her own. It had been about an hour when she was about to give up, she heard something. Her hands went right to her keys and held onto Virgos' key ready to summon when she saw a man come out of the trees and grin. "So, a wizard has decided to try and defeat us. What can a little girl like you do?" Taking a fighting stance, she grinned. "Oh, I can do a lot Open gate of the maiden, Virgo!" she shouted. "Punishment? Princess?" Groaning she shook her head. "No just help me take him down!" Nodding Virgo used her chains to wrap up the bandits and was holding them.
"Great job Virgo!" Lucy was grabbing the rope to keep them all together when she was suddenly knocked to the ground. "Princess!" called Virgo. Whoever was behind her had her arm twisted so she couldn't reach her keys. "Well now how dare you take my people out like that. I will have to teach you a lesson," said the man. He pulled Lucys' arm tighter against her making her scream in agony as she felt her shoulder dislocate itself. The man laughed as she writhed in pain trying to get away from him. "Regulus Impact!" The man let go of Lucy as he went flying backward. Turning she smiled as Loke stood there. "Loke!" "Lucy stay back." Nodding she knew that she would only hinder him if she tried to help as she is now. Loke didn't take long to round all them up with the help of Virgo. When they were finished Loke had Virgo stay with Lucy while he went to find Laxus after listening to Lucy on where she had ditched him.
"Princess, are you in pain?" asked the spirit. Lucy looked at her friend and grimaced. "Yeah, but I'll be fine. I promise. Virgo can I have you go back now I want to rest, but I can't if you are still here," she said. Nodding Virgo disappeared, and Lucy closed her eyes, but not before she caught a glimpse of Laxus and Loke coming through the forest. She thought she saw Laxus looking worried before blacking out. When Lucy came to, she was in bed. Looking around she saw Laxus was sleeping in the chair next to her. Smiling sadly, she realized she had been the one that caused the look of concern that was etched on his face. "I see you're awake." She looked to see a young woman in a lab coat. "You're at the general magic hospital here in Hargeon. This man brought you here three days ago. Besides the dislocated shoulder which we easily fixed your magic was severely depleted. This in turn caused you to pass out." She smiled fondly at Lucy as she checked her over. "You seem like you're fine. Just make sure to take it easy. Also, he hasn't left your side. He has been worried about you so, don't worry him too much. I think as long as everything checks out alright you may leave."
Lucy watched as she left then looked over at Laxus. She knew he would give her an earful later and Lucy knew she deserved it. He told her that they would do this together, but she wanted to prove she wasn't a helpless girl. She was always being saved but wanted to get stronger. She had a long way to go, but now she understood why he was trying to keep her close. Lucy was not ready to be on her own, but she was willing to try. About an hour later the same doctor who she learned was Dr. Hail came back and allowed her to be discharged. Lucy was putting her shoes on when she heard him groan. Sitting up he looked to see Lucy was awake and dressed. "Lucy…" His tone was anything, but kind. Wincing at the harshness in his voice she nodded. "Later we can talk about what I did when we get home."
Laxus nodded and walked out leaving her alone. She knew he was angry with her, but when he left her in the hospital room, she felt lonely. Grabbing the rest of her belongings she ran out to find him not that far ahead. He was heading for the train station. As it turned out he had already claimed the reward and was heading towards the train station. Buying their tickets, he boarded the train and chose a private compartment. Once they were seated, he put his sound pods on and just closed his eyes as the train jerked into motion.
Sometime later they pulled into Magnolia station and got off. Laxus still had yet to say anything to her since their brief conversation in Hargeon. Walking in silence they walked all the way to his house and she looked at the man ahead of her as he stopped. Unlocking the door, they walked in and when she closed the door, he pinned her there. He looked angry and she knew this coming she had just hoped to make it farther inside than the front door. "Lucy how stupid could you be! There was a reason I told you not to go alone. I found out that they liked to do sneak attacks." She trembled at the force of magic she felt emitting from him. "I wanted to prove I could do something on my own," she said quietly. He looked at her and his face softened. Grabbing her chin, he made her look at him. "It doesn't matter to me anymore. If you have a weaker power than others. If we train, I can help you get stronger, but you need to stop this stubborn streak, or someone is bound to get hurt." He leaned in and kissed her. Grabbing her hand with his free one he held it over his heart and held it there. When they broke apart, he squeezed her hand.
Lucy saw he was fighting with his dragon again. Suddenly he pushed himself away from her and walked away. Lucy could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers and smiled. She was done playing games and so she walked back to the guild to find the one person she was sure would be able to help her. Levy was there with team shadowgear and she smiled. Taking a seat next to her she looked over at Natsu motioning for him to come over as well. Once they were there, she told them both to meet her in the library. Standing up again she walked down the stairs to see the library was completely empty. Not long after both Levy and Natsu made their way over to her.
"Luce what's up?" asked Natsu. "Natsu, Levy I need all the information I can get on dragon slayers and their mates." Levy and Natsu shared a look before nodding. Levy opened her bag and pulled out some papers. "We knew you would eventually come to ask so Natsu and I worked together to gather as much information as we could for you over the past six months," said Levy. "Yeah and it wasn't easy. Levy had to ask me a series of different things that I didn't know," Natsu complained. "Thank you I appreciate it. You don't have to stick around, but I'm going to read it. I know the encyclopedia you found for me Levy only gave me a few things, but with your notes I know I will have a better understanding." Both nodded and Natsu left, but Levy said she had other research to do down here and Lucy sat down at the table and started to read.
The form known as mating in centuries old. Dragons and dragon slayers alike have only one mate for life. They can have a love interest, but nothing will be like the bond mates possess. A mate will be drawn to each other and no amount of force can keep them apart for long. If a mate is separated from the other depending on how strong their connection, they may feel the effects shortly or it could take longer. Some of the effects of separation are fever, loss of appetite, chest pain, and even death. Prolonged separation is not recommended on any level. Once the chosen mate accepts its dragon or dragon slayer, they will perform a mating ceremony which to humans is known as intercourse. With the marking the dragon or dragon slayer will break the skin between the collarbone and neck drawing blood. As this is being done some of their magic will fuse with their mate. Once it is done the marks will never go away, but along with the marks will be the symbol that lets them know that they belong to their mate. Most have a dragon roaring with the element showing as the fire of the dragon. For example, a water dragon would have waves instead of fire and so forth. The love the mates share can never be broken and if the other does something to hurt the other it will cause them severe pain. Mating is never to be taken lightly. The mates must both be on the same page before mating can occur. The dragon or dragon slayer will want the same thing, but for the mate they must be completely willing with no hesitation. If for any reason the mate hesitates it will become very painful for them during the mating process. One of the unique features of mates is the dragon or dragon slayer can only have children with their intended any other person or love interest will never be able to conceive.
Lucy read through most of the notes and smiled as Levy had left notes here and there to help her understand some of the unclear parts. Natsu even put in a few things here and there. When she finished reading Lucy waved to her friend and headed off back to the house. Lucy looked everywhere, but he wasn't there. Deciding to wait for him she went outside to train. "Open! Gate of the Golden Bull Taurus!" she shouted as the Bull appeared. "Lucy! Your body looks so beautiful," he said. Groaning she looked at him. "Taurus, I need a favor. I want you to fight me." He looked at her with concern. "But Miss Lucy…" Taurus began. "Don't worry if you feel I can't handle it you may stop, but I want to get stronger. I have to get stronger," she smiled. Nodding he held his axe is position and charged at her. Lucy spent the next hour dodging his attacks and using her whip to counter his axe from time to time. When he noticed her falter, Taurus stopped and put his axe away. "Miss Lucy, I think we should stop." Shaking her head, she looked at her spirit. "No just a little longer!"
She was barely standing when Loke came through his gate. "Lucy you will stop! You will get stronger!" Turning she looked at him and glared. "I have to get stronger!" Loke grabbed her wrists and tackled her to the ground. Struggling she punched him in the stomach, but he didn't budge. "Lucy, stop! You can't get stronger in just one day! It also takes a lot of concentration. I can help you with that. Capricorn taught me some of that years ago and I can help you if you will just relax please!" Lucy stopped struggling and looked over at her friend. Tears filled her vision as she nodded. Looking relieved he let go and hugged her as Taurus returned to the celestial world. After she calmed down a bit, he made her look at him. "Why are you in such a rush anyways Lucy?" he asked. Casting her eyes downwards she balled her fists. "Because of what happened in the forest. I couldn't protect myself and caused you and Virgo so much trouble along with Laxus," she cried. Loke hadn't realized how much losing the fight had really hit her. Holding her tightly he waited until she passed out.
A few hours later he saw the lights to the house come on and saw it was Laxus. Covering Lucys' eyes Loke used Regulus impact to get his attention to come outside and he walked up to the two. "Loke…" "Laxus, she literally wore herself out training to get stronger. The blow in the forest was worse than we thought. Lucy is beating herself up about losing." He was silent but nodded as he picked her up. Loke disappeared as he brought Lucy to bed. Laxus climbed the stairs afterwards. As much as he wanted her in the same room as him, he knew it would be dangerous for Lucy since his dragon decided to become more aggressive. Closing his eyes, he fell into a restless sleep.