I'm just going to not make any guesses about how long this story is going to be anymore, I keep changing it. I hope you enjoy this chapter, there is a little action. Next chapter Erik will finally be in it (I hope) so hold on for that! Once again, thank you so much for the favourites, follows, reads and reviews, they mean so much to me!
Also, it is not favouritism for Gildarts to nominate Cana, as at this point ,he has no idea she is his daughter. This takes place about 3 months after the Oracion Seis arc and is instead of the Daphne Arc.
Once I complete my Fairy Tail stories, I will write my version of the Oracion Arc, so stay tuned for that!
As soon as the announcement was over, Fairy Tail descended into pandemonium. Lucy cringed as yet another elbow slammed into her side. Around her, alcohol rained down on the guild as people moved around with wild abandon. The air was full of the sounds of congratulations and loud laughter, as the members got more into the celebratory spirit. She heard the yells of Gray and Natsu as they egged each other on, and the sound of Juvia's endless declarations of love. Pulling a face, Lucy fought the tide of inebriated Mages and made her way to the balcony. Pulling on her mate bond with Gajeel, Lucy showed him what she wanted him to do, complete with a mental puppy dog eyes.
The metal pole descended, and Lucy couldn't stop the happy grin even if she tried. Holding on tight, Lucy let out a carefree giggle as the pole bolted upright, making her hair fly. Giggling, Lucy shut her eyes, knowing she was safe. Within a heartbeat, she had somehow ended up in Gajeel's arms with the slayer smirking at her. "Enjoy the ride?" He teased, raising a studded brow.
"Of course, that was really fun!" Lucy cheered, making Gajeel chuckle. "Thanks for getting me out of there, honestly you'd think they were never able to drink the way they are acting."
Gajeel chuckled and pulled her into his body. Lucy sighed in contentment and let her partner lead her away from the balcony and to the tables, not even bothering to keep her eyes open. The blonde grinned as she found herself pulled into someone's lap, only taking a second to feel the static energy around him to determine it was Laxus. She pulled her legs up and snuggled into his chest, her minute frame being dwarfed by his expansive chest.
"You alright there, blondie? Would've thought you'd be more excited," Laxus teased, smirking as she grumbled unintelligibly and curled more against him.
"What was that? Didn't hear you," Gajeel teased, sitting back in the seat.
"You should get your ears checked, dragon boy, and I said that I am happy, I just wish we were all together, that's all." she whispered, smiling as Gajeel reached out to grab her hand.
"I know, but he's on a mission at the moment, plus he will be looking for information as to where his sister, Kinana is." Laxus reminded her, making her hum softly in reply.
"Besides Bunny, he'll be as proud of you as we are,"
"Yea I guess, I just miss hum, and Cubellios.: Lucy added, smiling softly when she thought of the snake.
"That snake is the devil," Gajeel grumbled, making Laxus nod his agreement.
"Cubellios is a cutie, once he doesn't want to kill you," Lucy said, glaring at Gajeel before a soft frown came over her face, thinking of when she jumped in the snake's path and got poisoned.
"Yes, he still doesn't like Lightbulb or I," Gajeel grumbled, making Lucy giggle.
Laxus and Gajeel nodded at each other, both pleased they got Lucy's mind off her near-death experience. The blonde girl claimed it was better that she got attacked instead of Erza, but the boys disagreed. They would much prefer the red head to be snake chow than their mate. Though if those events hadn't had happened and Laxus's hadn't come across them when he did then they may not have realised she was their mate. Deciding that it was enough negativity for the day, the boys searched for another topic, only to be interrupted by the one and only Titania.
"Congratulations Lucy, you must be very proud of yourself for your accomplishments." Erza said formally, her body posture was perfect.
"Hey Erza, yea I am really happy. A lot to take in." Lucy said, who uncurled before she replied to her friend.
"I had wanted to nominate you myself, but because of being team members I was forbidden to nominate you, Natsu or Gray. nevertheless, you deserve this honour Lucy, and I look forward to our training session." Erza said, letting her face soften for a second as she smiled at the younger girl.
"I can't wait either Erza, and thank you," Lucy said, a brilliant smile on her face.
"I am planning to go on a mission soon if you would like to come. I am going to ask the boys in a moment if they'd like to join." Erza said, her gaze on Lucy.
"Oh, I was planning on waiting for Erik to come home, but how long is the mission?" Lucy added, ounce she saw her friend's face fall.
"I have not chosen one yet, however, we could choose an overnight mission if that would suit you." Erza said, still looking just at Lucy.
"Let me think about it and I'll come find you soon." Lucy said to which Erza nodded and turned on her heel.
sighing, Lucy looked over at her guys. She opened her mouth to speak when a strange pulling sensation overcame her. Groaning, Lucy squeezed her eyes shut as she felt her energy draining. She clung onto Laxus and squeezed Gajeel's hand with all her strength. The boys panicked, trying to figure out what was wrong with her. Lucy let out a whimper as her body convulsed, her movements jaunty like she had been electrocuted.
"What's wrong with her?" Gajeel demanded, eyes frantically looking to Laxus for an explanation.
"I know as much as you do, bolt head," Laxus growled back, clinging onto Lucy to stop her from moving.
"E-Erik," Lucy said, her eyes squeezed shut as she moaned from the pain.
"Erik… he must be siphoning her magic," Gajeel said, a memory of Metalicana explaining this mating ability flashing through his mind.
"How can we help her?" Laxus said, his eyes wide as he looked at Gajeel, begging him with his eyes to have an explanation.
"I- I don't know. Maybe we could try giving her some of our energy?" Gajeel said, her voice raising like a question.
"What is going on here, you brats?" Master Makarov demanded as he made his way over, feeling the magical disturbance.
"Snake Boy is siphoning Blondie's energy; he must be in trouble." Laxus told his grandad, trying to keep his mind clear.
"Bring her to my office. You are lucky Gildarts and the others all went downstairs, and the guild is so noisy." Makarov said, already walking over.
Exchanging glances, Gajeel got up to block the view of the guild as Laxus got up, carrying their girl. A few people looked up when they saw Gajeel, but quickly looked away when they saw his flinty glare. Reaching the office, Gajeel let Laxus take Lucy in first, before stepping in and shutting the door behind them. It was a little cramped, but they made it work, with Master clearing his desk so they could place Lucy onto it.
"From what you have said Erik is draining her magical energy, whether he knows it all not. What you boys are going to do is take one of her hands each and imagine pushing your magic into her, filling her container. Keep it going until you feel a resistance," Makarov demanded, giving his brats a steely glare.
The two nodded, their forehead furrowed. Gajeel took one of her hands and Laxus took another. Closing their eyes, the two cleared their minds and searched for the mate bond they held with Lucy. Finding their cords, Laxus's an electric yellow interwoven with gold, with Gajeel's a blinding silver woven with the same gold, they pushed their magic into it, imagining it dancing its way through the cord and into their girl' magic container. At first nothing happened, but both slayers let out a hiss as they felt her tug on their cords. Magic streamed down the cord like a horizontal waterfall, pooling in the container. Lucy moaned as the magic gushed into the container, only to be drained as quickly as it filled.
Lucy held their hands in a vice grip, as if they were her only anchor. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she thrashed about, feeling like her soul was being shredded and mended at a speed she couldn't keep up with. Two golden flashes appeared in the room, leaving a very worried man in a suit and a slightly frowning maid.
"What are they doing to her!" Loke growled, light flowing around him.
"Calm down brat. Erik is sucking her magic and they are refilling the container, so he doesn't take her life force." Makarov explained, his jaw clenched.
"Why is he taking it in the first place?" Loke yelled, glaring daggers at his mistress's mate.
"L-Loke," Lucy wheezed, her unseeing eyes opening.
"I'm here princess, argue you, okay? Can I help relieve your pain?" Loke frantically asked, checking over her body for any obvious sign of energy.
"E-Energy-" she wheezed, and Loke nodded, turning to Virgo.
"Put her Keys on her chest, we can give her energy from the spirit world." He said tersely, and Virgo nodded, quickly procuring the keys, and putting them under her mistress's shirt.
Bowing, the stoic spirit looked at her master, her eyes momentarily softening. She vanished in the same light, knowing she needed to be in her world to have the most impact. Loke whirled on the other slayers, his eyes flashing gold as his primal form exploded. "You hurt her, and you are dead. Got it?" He ground out, and for a second both slayers looked almost afraid.
"Got it. Don't worry, you can help us kick Erik's ass when he's back." Laxus's added, his eyes never leaving Lucy.
With a terse nod and one more longing glance at his princess, Loke disappeared in a burst of stardust. As soon as the keys glowed, encasing Lucy in the same light, both slayers felt the tugging on their bond decrease. Slowly, so not to shock her, both slayers withdrew their connection, when the amount of magic she was absorbing was nothing more than a trickle. Both slumped against the walls, their eyes still on their girl. She stopped wailing, the energy of her spirits giving her replenishing her reserves.
Eventually the glow lessened, and Lucy stopped thrashing at all. A calm smile claimed her lips as she sighed in contentment, the energy still flowing into her. The glow dissipated completely, leaving Lucy asleep. The two boys looked at her, Gajeel frowning and Laxus having his arms crossed and back straight.
Gradually she opened her eyes, stretching like a cat. Gingerly sitting up, the girl looked around, her vision hazy as if she were opening her eyes underwater.
"Gaj? Lax? What happened?" she asked through a yawn.
Both Slayers pulled her into a hug, crushing her to their bodies. Lucy felt their arms shake as they held her and sent soothing thoughts to them via their bond. Gradually the shaking stopped, and they pulled away, each still touching her. "We think Fume Breath pulled on your bond with him to get more magic, and since you weren't expecting it, you reacted, badly," Gajeel said bluntly, a small frown still on his face.
"Oh, I hope he's okay," Lucy said frowning, making both men let out an incredulous chuckle
"You just had all your magical energy taken and you are wondering how Erik is?" Laxus said, a whisper of a smirk on his lips.
"Of course, I feel fine. You guys helped me and the energy my Spirits gave me made me as good as new, so no need to be upset," Lucy said, shrugging as if she was discussing the weather.
"You Bunny are one of a kind, you know that?" Gajeel asked rhetorically, making Makarov and Laxus snort in reply.
"I know, now I need to get out of here, I have to talk to a lady about a mission," Lucy said, ignoring their shouts as she walked out the door.
Groaning, both Slayers looked at each other, a look of resignation on their faces. Their girl had just had almost all her energy removed from her body. So, the only logical reaction is to plan a mission. Only in Lucy's mind that worked. Makarov chucked and slapped both men on the back, making them look at him with exasperation clear in their eyes.
"She's your mate, you signed up for this when you bonded," he said simply before leaving both boys standing there.
"She is indeed, so we should go check on her," Laxus said, making Gajeel nod,
Without another word, both men walked out of the room, hoping that their girl hadn't gotten herself into more trouble in the few seconds she was alone.