"God dammit will you shut up!" Laxus shouted, effectively cutting off the droning of the dark mage in front of them.
The mission was supposed to be simple. Investigate the area and stop the group of dark mages that were plaguing the town. Apparently, the skinny guy currently watching us in amusement and his groupies were gathering recruits. Something about being the strongest or something like that. Laxus wasn't paying attention.
He was now though. One of the townsfolk told them he had seen a group of suspicious looking people enter the forest every day for the last week. When they went to check it out, it had taken them seven hours to get to the little clearing they were in now. Seven hours of tripping, cussing, and electrocuting foliage, only to be frozen in place the second they stepped foot into the clearing.
The fat bitch was some sort of Immobilization mage and she appeared out of nowhere. He didn't understand how not one of his senses picked them up.
Once complete immobilization had taken hold, magic cancelling cuffs were placed on their wrists and ankles, then they were dragged to a different part of the clearing. Bickslow and Evergreen had sacks placed over their heads 'just in case.'
It appears as though the dark mages were waiting for them.
As soon as the Raijinshu was secured, the immobilization spell was lifted from only their heads so they could speak. So speak he did.
"Laxus! Stop pissing the guy off when we can't do a damn thing to defend ourselves. If the guy wants to give his big evil master plan speech, then fucking let him. I don't want to die today!" The Seith mage pleaded beside him, sounding slightly muffled.
"Tch." He glared daggers at the couple. The man was incredibly tall, taller than himself. He was so thin he was basically just skin and bone. Short black hair spiked up in all directions, some of which fell forward to hang over his equally black eyes. Thick eyebrows were raised while he watched their interaction in amusement, a grin stretching his thin lips across his long angular face.
The woman beside him appeared to be the exact opposite. She was very short, and incredibly wide. It was almost unnatural how light she was on her feet with how large she was. Long white hair was pulled up into a high pony tail. Her face was round, large grey eyes staring expressionlessly ahead while her thick lips were pressed into a tight line.
The man in question just laughed and gestured to the woman beside him.
"You're free to go Sam. Regroup with the others and inform them that I'll be there shortly."
Sam bowed to the man, handing him something. "Yes Master Mica." And vanished into an inky black puff of smoke.
The moment she was gone, the captive mage's bodies slumped, finally free from the spell cast on them.
"Now then, where were we? Oh yes." Mica continued on with his droning, but the Dragon Slayer wasn't paying attention to what he was saying.
Laxus couldn't hold back the growls that emanated from his being. His instincts were screaming at him to figure out a way to get out of the cuffs, tear this man limb from limb, and protect his family.
'But how?' He wracked his brain, trying desperately to come up with a solution, only to come up short.
'There has to be a way. There always is.' He glanced back at Freed.
As if sensing his eyes on him, the Rune mage met his gaze. He could tell that the green haired man was having trouble finding a solution as well.
Suddenly a breeze picked up through the clearing, carrying with it a vaguely familiar sweet sent.
'Who the hell is that?' He wondered silently. 'I know I've picked up that scent before.'
He forced himself to look around the clearing slowly and only with his eyes.
There, stepping out of the tree-line on the opposite side of them, was a petite blonde.
Her long hair was slightly disheveled, with bits of leaves and twigs stuck in some of the golden strands that fell loosely to her tiny waist. Dirt smudged across one of her cheeks, and with his enhanced sight he could make out tiny scratches adorning her pale legs and arms. There were small tears in her too short denim shorts and pale pink tank top. He noticed the two golden keys in her hand and the determined look in her chocolate eyes.
However, as much as her sudden presence surprised him, that is not what shocked him the most. No, standing next to his fellow blonde was an exact replica of her. Every feature was exactly the same, except this one wore a blue skirt and an orange t-shirt.
'What the fuck is this? Has Blondie been hiding a twin from the guild all this time?'
No that's not right.
As the blondes strode closer, Laxus realized that the Lucy wearing the skirt didn't have a scent coming off of her.
"One of her spirits." He heard Freed whisper, low enough that only his Dragon Slayer hearing could pick it up.
Laxus didn't know if he should be worried or grateful. Maybe both, he would decide later.
The closer Blondie and her spirit got to the dark mage, the tighter his fists clenched. He hated being helpless. He felt like a damn damsel in distress.
Then, the Lucy in the shorts stopped a few feet away and cleared her throat, her spirit stopping beside her with her hands on her hips.
Mica's eyes widened marginally and he turned to face the blondes behind him.
"Can I help you ladies?" He asked sounding uncertain.
The spirit-turned-Lucy nodded and placed a hand on her whip. "Actually, yes. We would like to know what you hoped to accomplish by capturing these mages."
Blondie also placed a hand on her whip and widened her stance. "I don't think you realize what a big mistake that was."
Mica laughed loudly, clearly not seeing the small blondes in front of him as a threat. "Friends of yours?"
Lucy glanced at her nakama behind him, briefly meeting his gaze, before returning her attention to the task at hand. "You could say that." She smirked.
The dark mage gestured to the restrained mages and his laughter took a more dangerous edge. "Oh? Well why don't you enlighten me on my supposed mistake before I add you and your sister here to my current list of people to dispose of."
Faster than he could follow, if he wasn't a Dragon Slayer, both blondes fell into an identical battle stance with their whips in hand, snapping at the grass on either side of them.
"Because you just messed with Fairy Tail." Lucy's voice was low and dangerous, but Laxus didn't have time to react to how hot it sounded.
In a flash, both whips were glowing a brilliant blue with what looked like lightening wrapping around it, and flying in different directions.
With an expert flick of the wrist, Lucy's whip snapped at the dark mages chest knocking him back on his ass with an "Oomph."
Laxus felt his jaw drop.
'Blondie's kind of a badass.'
Sprit-Lucy's whip shot forward at the fallen mage's face, but before it made contact his hand shot out and caught it mid-air.
Mica got to his feet and pulled the whip, and the spirit, closer to him. "You know I may have changed my mind." He mused, looking the 'sisters' up and down. "How would you beautiful little spitfires like to join our cause?"
Laxus growled at his lecherous tone.
Blondie scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Not a chance Jack Skellington."
Bickslow cackled next to me. "Man I wish I could see this."
"Tell me about it." Evergreen quipped, annoyed.
Mica's aura darkened around him. Wisps of menacing shadows seeped from the dark mage.
He pulled the spirit closer and glared at the Celestial mage. "What did you just call me?"
Lucy shrugged indifferently. "You heard me."
Shadows shot forward, enveloping the spirit-Lucy, before they manifested into a handful of jet-black orbs surrounding her from all angles.
Mica laughed haughtily. "Want to run that by me again?"
But Lucy was already moving. Backing away from the group and closer to the tree line, her whip flashed out again, growing in length and landing a hit on the dark mage's face with a snap.
Laxus smelled the blood and any trace amounts of gratefulness he previously felt vanished in an instant, being replaced by worry for his nakama.
'What is she doing? Is she trying to get herself killed?'
After a moment of eerie silence, the shadows launched at the spirit while Mica lunged forward with his hands out at Lucy.
The Celestial spirit cried out in pain and disappeared in a flash of sparkling golden light.
"What's this? A Celestial spirit mage? Well isn't this my lucky day! Not only do I successfully capture the annoying mages who were sticking their noses into my business, but I find you! A real treasure indeed." He clapped his hands together like a giddy child. "I can't believe I didn't notice those keys sooner. I'm impressed."
"Huh?" Bickslow was just as confused at the rest of them.
One of her delicate blonde eyebrows shot up. "What are you talking about?"
Mica only laughed excitedly as he increased the amount of shadows in front of him. "Don't act so modest, my dear! I've heard the gossip. It seems as though there's only a few of your kind left, and one of them has become, and I quote, 'one of the strongest Celestial mages in history.'" He stepped forward, "This mage is rumored to be in that little guild you mentioned before. Supposedly, she owns ten of the twelve incredibly rare Zodiac keys. It is also rumored that she once demanded the presence of the Spirit King himself to argue one of his rulings. Not only did he comply, but he agreed. Now that's more than impressive."
Freed sucked in a gasp behind him.
Lucy's eyes widened and she took a step back as the man before her chuckled darkly. "I know quite a few people who would love to get their hands on you, darling."
"Blondie run! Get the fuck out of here and contact Gramps! We'll be fine!" Laxus shouted, as he struggled against his restraints.
"Don't be a hero, Cosplayer. We can't back you up if shit hits the fan. You need to run!"
He watched as several emotions flitted across his fellow blonde's face, and he knew what they said had flown in one ear and out the other.
What happened next seemed to play out in slow motion. Lucy resumed her battle stance and focused on the dark mage once more. Her whip shot out, and her other hand flew to her keys.
She didn't get very far before the shadows shot forward, sending the small blonde flying back into the trees.
A moment later, Laxus heard her body bounce off a tree and hit the ground with a thud.
Mica turned back and addressed the Raijinshu. "One moment please." He smiled at the Lightening mage's snarl before disappearing into the foliage to follow her.
"Laxus we have to do something. Lucy could be hurt." Freed was struggling against the restraints.
"I have no idea what happened, but I'm guessing she didn't run." Biscklow groaned, leaning his body forward until the sack slip off his head. "Fuck its nice to see. Ever lean over and try to get the- oh you got it. Nevermind."
Laxus turned to see that the brunette had indeed succeeded in freeing her head.
"Where did Lucy go? We can't let that creep get her." She looked around the clearing franticly in search of her guild mate.
"Don't you think I know that?" Laxus snapped, "Just what do you suppose I do?"
A feminine cry of pain reached his ears and he slammed his bound hands against the grass. "God dammit!"
"My Princess wishes for me to inform you that she has a plan and to wait patiently." A monotone voice popped up from behind them.
A high pitched shriek flew from Bickslow"s mouth as all four mages jumped in surprise.
"Where the fuck did you come from?" Laxus growled at the pink haired maid spirit. She had expressionless blue eyes, and chains dangled from her wrists.
"I have been here the whole time. Princess instructed me to hide behind the trees." Her head cocked to the side as if she was listening for something.
"I must get into position. If you will please excuse me." She bowed deeply before sprinting off to duck behind a tree father up the clearing.
The sound of flowing water filled the space around them, followed by a large wave.
Mica smashed against the tree next to the one where Blondie's spirit was hiding and slumped to the ground as the water receded.
"What the hell?"
"I believe that was another one of Miss Lucy's spirits." Freed explained, sounding somewhat thoughtful.
Movement caught Laxus's eye, and he watched as the pinkette silently crept forward, hands extending towards the disoriented man.
The Dragon Slayer's eyebrow shot up. 'You've gotta be shitting me. This was her plan?'
The maid spirit fell back and slid behind the tree again just as he rose back to his feet.
Mica glanced over at his captives, his mouth stretching in an amused grin. "I apologize for the delay. This is getting fun." He waggled his bushy black eyebrows and sauntered back into the forest.
"I can't believe that fucking worked." He was shocked, honestly. That was the stupidest, most juvenile plan he had ever witnessed. It also happened to be genius.
"Man, Cheerleader has a brain on her!" Bickslow exclaimed as the maid spirit crouched in front of him to unlock the shackles on his ankles.
"I have to agree. That plan was simple and efficient. Although, it relied heavily on chance. The events could have played out in a numerous amount of ways." The Rune mage mused.
"Yeah, yeah. Blondie's smart. Now could you hurry up spirit lady? She's still out there by herself, you know."
"You could say she's not out of the woods yet." Three heads turned to level a glare at the man currently being set free. "Ok ok, sorry. It was too good to pass up."
"I hope she's ok. She was thrown pretty far." Ever's voice was laced with worry.
"Princess is alright. She has a backup plan, as always." The spirit reassured as she worked on Bickslow's wrists.
"I hope you're-" Laxus was effectively cut off by an immense wave of magical pressure.
A huge magic circle appeared in the sky and the clearing darkened around them.
"Oh my. I must go." The pinkette hurriedly finished with the cuffs and placed the key in the confused Seith mage's hand.
"What is that?" Evergreen asked in awe.
"The backup plan." The spirit said simply, before bowing deeply and disappearing in a pink puff of smoke.
The Thunder Legion stared in shock and wonder as the sky split open to reveal what looked like the heavens itself. Suddenly, orbs of all different colors poured from the pocket of space, swirling around and hovering near the area where Lucy was.
"Urano Metria!" Blondie's voice rang out from the clearing and the orbs seemed to lock on to their target. There was a blinding flash of light, which made the group of mages clench their eyes shut, and the ground shook.
"Holy shit!" Three heads whipped in shock to the green haired mage, who was openly gaping at the sky where the pocket of space had been.
"Did…did you just curse, Freed?" Ever asked, recovering first.
"Do you realize how much power one must obtain to perform that spell?"
"Isn't that the one she never got to finish at the Games that one time?" The Seith mage let out a low whistle. "Cosplayer would've had that match in the bag if that Raven bitch wouldn't have cheated."
Laxus snapped out of his shock. "Oi! Bicks. Hurry the fuck up and get these things off. We have no idea if that spell even worked, and it's been eerily quiet over there."
"Right."
"Tch."
Bickslow freed his comrades as quickly as he could, and they rushed to where Lucy had disappeared to.
What they saw stopped them in their tracks.
There Lucy sat, leaning heavily against a tree with blood pouring from a wound on her shoulder. Several feet in front of her was a large crater, still steaming, the dark mage laying in an unconscious heap at the bottom.
"Oh thank Mavis." Lucy breathed wearily before falling back, out cold.
"Lucy!" Evergreen cried, racing around the crater to get to the blonde, Freed following closely behind.
Laxus stayed where he was. Still trying to piece together all of the events that had unfolded that day.
'Where the fuck did she even come from?' He silently wondered, watching as Ever gently checked for her pulse, while Freed pressed his handkerchief to her wound.
"She's alright. It seems she just passed out from using too much magical energy. Though I wouldn't be surprised if it also had something to do with being thrown around like a ragdoll." The brunette sighed in relief, tucking a long blonde strand behind the younger mage's ear.
"Yes, and this wound doesn't seem all that deep but it may need stitches." Freed stated in agreement, gazing down at the unconscious woman in wonder.
"Alright. We still need to take this asshole to the authorities and take out the others. That Sam bitch will be easy now that we know her magic. Freed, can you write out some runes to counteract it?" Laxus turned to address his green haired friend.
"I believe so." He nodded, taking out his rapier and getting to work.
The blonde man turned to the other two members of his team. "Bicks, take this guy to the proper authorities and then come find me and Freed to help with the others. Ever, Blondie is small enough. Do you think you're able to carry her back to the inn?"
"In a normal circumstance, yes but how do you expect me to get her through this hellhole? It was hard enough on my own." She gestured to the trees around them. "It took us hours to get to that clearing."
Laxus looked around and cursed.
"Then what do you suggest? We can't just bring her with us. She'd be a sitting duck out there."
There was a moment of silence and surprisingly it was Bickslow who came up with a solution.
"Why don't you take her Laxus?"
"What?" He asked incredulously. Had he lost his mind?
"It would be the fastest way to get her to safety so she can rest. You can teleport, it would take minutes for you to get her out of here." Freed nodded, agreeing with the plan.
"No way. I haven't kicked anyone's ass this whole job. You expect me to just sit in our room with a passed out chick while you guys get all the action?"
"Jeeze man, you're starting to sound a lot like Natsu." Laxus growled dangerously at the Seith mage, who held his hands up in surrender.
"Don't ever compare me to that idiot."
Evergreen cleared her throat delicately. "Anyway, it's the fastest and easiest way Laxus. Whether you like it or not." She gazed down at the blond next to her before adding softly, "She risked her life to free us, you know. We owe her a whole hell of a lot. Getting her back to recover comfortably is the least we can do."
Laxus glared at the Fairy mage for a moment before cursing once again. She was right. The little blonde came out of nowhere, just when they needed her. She was willing to get herself hurt or worse to get them out of there. He may be stubborn and kind of an asshole, but he knew that he owed the Celestial mage big time for this.
"Tch. Fine." He stomped towards Lucy before crouching down and scooping her up, surprised to find how light she really was. "You go with Freed. When you finish up there, meet back with the client and come back to the inn."
Laxus walked a few feet away before channeling his magic, letting it pour out of him to cover the woman in his arms.
The lightening pulsed and crackled around them. There was a loud crack of thunder and then they were standing were the Raijinshu hand entered the forest earlier that day.
}{}{}{
If there was one thing he learned on the walk back to their inn, it was that carrying a battered and unconscious woman through town elicited an abundance of stares.
It actually slightly concerned the Dragon Slayer that no one made any sort of movement to make sure the girl was alright, and not being kidnapped.
Glancing down at the woman in his arms, he took the chance to really study her.
Her long golden hair framed her heart-shaped face. Long eyelashes rested on her dirt smudged cheeks. Her full pink lips turned down in a slight frown.
There was no denying it. Any man with eyes and a working dick could see that even covered head-to-toe in small cuts and dirt, she was a beauty.
"I know quite a few people who would love to get their hands on you, darling."
Mica's words from earlier echoed through his head and he frowned deeply at the thought, a strange feeling tightening in his chest.
He shook his head and continued on. Twenty minutes later, he was pulling the key out of his now unlocked door.
Laxus walked into the room, nudging the door shut with this elbow and moved to the nearest bed.
Laying her down gently, he peeled back the soiled handkerchief and silently thanked Mavis. The bleeding had stopped on its own and wouldn't require any stitches. He hated giving stitches. It honestly grossed him out.
Shivering at the images that popped into his head, Laxus turned to grab the first aid kit from the bathroom.
In no time, her wound was cleaned and patched up and Laxus was sitting on the bed next to hers bored out of his mind.
With a sigh, he dug out his sound pod and placed the spikey headphones over his ears.
The blonde man glanced one more time at the woman fast asleep before leaning back against the wooden headboard, closing his eyes, and cranking the volume.
No matter what he tried thinking about, his thoughts always returned to the Celestial mage.
He had so many questions. Was she really one of the only Celestial mages left? Where did they all go? What made Blondie so powerful? What would they do with her? Why does she smell like strawberries and cream? Does her back hurt lugging around that rack every day? Why did she get that odd tattoo? What does it mean?
It went on and on, and it was starting to drive him insane.
Laxus slid his hand over his face with a groan.
'Jesus fuck. Get a grip man. Why are you being so damn nosey?'
But He was bored. With nothing else to do he found himself questioning just about everything he knew, which was very little, about her.
Sensing a change in her, he slowly rose to his feet and stood, looking down at his fellow blonde. Her delicate eyebrows were furrowed and her lips were pursed together. Her small hands were clenched into fists at her sides.
'Pain,' he realized, 'She's in pain.'
"Blondie. You ok?"
Her breathing was becoming erratic, chest heaving. Laxus could hear her heart pounding furiously in her chest.
"Oi, what's the matter? What hur-"
"Aquarius." His head cocked to the side as he watched her dainty hand lift up to settle on her chest. She let out a small whimper.
Salt assaulted his nose and his eyes snapped back up to her face. Tears were leaking out of the corners of her closed eyes. "Come back." Her voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper. "Don't go." A quiet sob escaped her lips.
Laxus stood frozen at the sight before him. He hated it when girls cried. He never knew what to do.
'She's still asleep? Who the hell is Aquarius? Where'd she go? Stop being so fucking nosey!'
He listened as her heartbeat slowed, her breathing starting to even out.
After a moment, she was completely still again so he turned and resumed his previous position on his own bed.
Right as he was about to crank the volume back up on his sound pod, a broken whisper drifted from the unconscious blonde in the bed beside him that made his heart clench involuntarily in his chest.
"Everyone leaves."
Have you ever just drawn a complete blank while staring at a word? You've used this word probably hundreds of times in your life. Then suddenly it looks weird. Is that really how it's spelled? Am I pronouncing it right? It means what I think it means, right? IS IT EVEN A REAL WORD? Have I been using it my whole life and it doesn't really exist?
Yeah, that's when you know its bed time. Until next time, loves.
