I know it's been a while for this story.
But I finally got the next chapter just finished.
Sorry for the wait!
I hope you enjoy this chapter.
On with the show!
If Lucy was being honest with herself, she really didn't want to leave the hotel room. But she knew she couldn't stay there either. Not with the message about Natsu and Lisanna haunting her mind. But did she really want to go out and try to do this job with this plaguing her mind?
The answer was No, she didn't.
But what choice did she have? She and Laxus were now on a job and they couldn't back out now, could they?
The answer was No, they couldn't.
Lucy followed Laxus down the stairs to the lobby. The purple fog coated the floor of the lobby making Lucy stop in her tracks a few steps up. She didn't like the feeling that the fog gave her. It made her skin crawl. Made her mind go down roads she didn't like.
Laxus stopped and looked over his shoulder. He saw the fear in her eyes clear as day. It was safe to say that she didn't like the purple fog. But they really didn't have much of a choice but to walk through it. Laxus sighed before he went back up the stairs to her side.
Laxus placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey..." He called out softly. "It's okay... I'll be by your side the entire time... I won't let it or anyone else hurt you, alright?" Laxus asked.
Lucy looked up at him. She saw the honesty of his words in his eyes. He meant what he said. Yes, he helped her earlier when the purple fog was climbing up her leg and her mind was being taunted by it. But even he couldn't predict what would happen later.
With that thought, could she really trust him? Could he really keep her safe? He was an S-class wizard, but did that really mean he was invincible? No, even he wasn't invincible but he was able to take down a wizard saint so he could probably protect her, right? Hopefully.
She nodded despite her inner turmoil and walked down the stairs with him. Once they stepped onto the lobby floor the purple fog scattered, like it was afraid of them. It was weird, to say the least. Both Lucy and Laxus looked at each then shrugged before they continued walking. The fog moved away from them as they walked.
"That is really creepy..." Lucy muttered.
"Just stay close to me..." Laxus told her. Lucy nodded and jogged up to him grabbing the sleeve of his coat. "You really don't like fog, do you?" Laxus asked with a raised eyebrow looking at her clenched fists gripping his coat sleeve.
Lucy hung and shook her head. It was true she didn't. Something about the fog creeped her out. It hid things from your view making it easier for people to sneak up on you. And that's when she heard the whispering.
He doesn't want you. He doesn't love you.
Laxus sighed but they kept walking out of the hotel. The walk was awkward and silent. Mostly because he was being held back by a trembling Lucy who had her eyes closed tightly. The grip she had on his coat had tightened to the point that her hands were white.
He watched her swallow thickly like she was trying to ignore something. Which if it was anything like earlier she probably was. Why he couldn't hear anything was beyond him, but it seemed that they enjoyed messing with her. If he thought about it, she would be the easiest one to mess with.
When he looked ahead of them he saw the forest was getting closer. The fog seemed to make a wall blocking the forest, meaning they were on the right track.
Laxus snorted. "Like that isn't a dead giveaway that someone's hiding something here..." Laxus grumbled.
Lucy looked around him to see what he was talking about. And yeah even she thought that was suspicious.
"Some people are obviously very stupid..." Lucy muttered.
Laxus chuckled. "Seems so..." Laxus agreed. "Wonder if it'll do what the rest of it did and move out of the way when we go near it..." Laxus wondered out loud.
"Do we have to find out? Can't we go back and hope Mira sends back up?" Lucy whimpered pulling herself closer to him.
Laxus sighed. It wasn't like he didn't want to do just that but he thought maybe it was not as bad as it really seemed. But then again it could be worst than it seemed. Jobs never went as planned in his experience.
"Wish we could, but even if she sends back up, we don't know what we're dealing with so we'd have no information to share with them if we went back and waited..." Laxus explained.
Lucy huffed. "Why do you have to sound so logical?" Lucy grumbled. "I thought you were more brawn than brains..." Lucy attempted to joke and crack a smile but it looked forced and trembly.
But the comment made Laxus' lips twitch. "Sorry to disappoint you Blondie, but you don't get to be S-class with just power alone..." Laxus said as he continued walking.
Lucy unconsciously followed as she was distracted by the playful banter. Which Laxus would have patted himself on the back for if he could. He didn't want to sound or look smug or cocky at the moment. The girl just stopped trembling against him he needed to keep it that way.
Lucy glared at him with the nickname. He was teasing her! How dare he!
"You know, you're blonde too... So it seems kind of stupid for a blonde to call another blonde Blondie... Unless you want to be compared to Sting..." Lucy countered.
"Do not compare me to that idiot..." Laxus grumbled shaking his head.
"Then don't be an idiot and I wouldn't..." Lucy huffed letting go of his coat and crossing her arms over her chest before turning her head in a snobby manner.
Laxus wanted to laugh. She was feisty as a kitten and as intimidating as one too. It took a lot to keep himself from laughing at her puffed-out cheek as she tried to look annoyed with him. But he couldn't sense any annoyance or fear coming off her so that was a good thing.
Lucy was so distracted by the banter with Laxus that she didn't realize that they had crossed into the forest passing through the purple fog barrier. By the time she noticed she was surrounded by trees she stopped dead in her tracks and looked around as she heard the whispering getting louder.
You're worthless. No wonder he doesn't want you. How pathetic! You're no one! No one wants you! You're useless!
She covered her ears and closed her eyes tight. She wanted it to stop but it was repeated over and over echoing through her mind.
Laxus noticed she stopped so he turned and saw her gritting her teeth as she covered her ears with her eye shut tightly.
"Lucy?" Laxus called out but got no answer. "Lucy!" He said a bit louder still nothing. He watched her as she trembled in fear as tears streamed down her face. It was a bit heartbreaking if you asked him. "Shit..." Laxus growled as he ran over and placed his hands on her shoulders.
The sudden gesture startled her to where it felt like she took a deep breath after being underwater for so long. Her arms dropped to her sides and she inhaled sharply before exhaling, her body sagging slightly. She knew she'd be on the ground if it wasn't for Laxus' hold on her shoulders.
"It stopped..." She muttered under her breath in disbelief.
"What stopped?" Laxus asked.
"The voices... They stopped..." Lucy mumbled still dazed.
"What did they say?" Laxus asked curiously.
Whatever it was Laxus knew it had to be pretty bad if it made her react like that. He wasn't sure if having her come with him now was such a good idea. He should have investigated on his own and left her in the hotel. But it was too late now.
Lucy shook her head not wanting to repeat it. The words still echoed in her head pulling her deeper and deeper into depths of despair. She took a deep breath pushing the words to the back of her mind before forcing a smile that she aimed at Laxus.
"It's nothing... Don't worry, let's get going..." Lucy said walking ahead of him and letting her bangs cover her eyes.
Laxus could only sigh as he followed behind her. He watched her fists twitch now and then like something was making her flinch. He had a feeling it was the voices she was talking about. He knew whatever they were saying was bad enough she didn't want to repeat it or tell anyone.
"Stay alert... Something feels off..." Laxus said as he felt something prickle at the back of his neck.
Lucy stood there her fist clenched at her side. The whispering was now louder and taunting. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe evenly. The purple fog slithered up her leg, around her waist, and her arms. Once it got to her shoulders it started to wrap around her neck. Lucy felt like she was being choked. It was getting tighter and she fought the urge to grab at her throat to claw at it. She knew it wouldn't do any good to do that.
Laxus was looking around until he went to say something to Lucy, and that is when he saw she was surrounded by the purple fog. He wanted to take a step forward but it felt like something was holding him there. He watched as she fell to her knees. Her arms were shaking at her sides. He could hear the grinding of her teeth.
Mind control.
That's what this felt like. But it wasn't like the other time she was controlled. Last time the man used his magic in his eyes. She needed a way to get rid of this fog quickly. She didn't think she had any spirits that could help. There was no water so summoning Aquarius was out of the question. She didn't have enough control over her body to even summon a Stardress either. She felt her mind was going black. She couldn't let that happen.
She braced her hands on the ground as she clenched her fists digging her fingers into the dirt and grass under her. She only had one chance to do this before she lost complete control of her body.
"Lucy!" She heard Laxus shout behind her.
Her mind latched onto that. She raised her head showing her scowl as she looked straight ahead only to see a shadowy figure ahead hidden in the trees.
"Gemini!" Lucy ground out as her body tensed releasing as much magic as she could at the moment.
A rather large magic circle appeared under her as two small creatures flew out. They looked at their master and her now purple eyes.
"Lucy!" Gemi and Mini both yelled at the same time.
"Juvia!" Lucy growled as she fought to stay in control.
Laxus was confused. What would she say Juvia's name?
"Right!" Gemi and Mini said before hugging each other and turning into the blue-haired water mage.
Ironically it was a swimsuit-clad version of Juvia from when they were at the pool the other day.
Lucy flew forward onto her arms. Her breathing getting harder.
"Wash. It. Away!" Lucy ground out through gritted teeth.
"You sure that'll work?" Gemini Juvia asked. Lucy nodded. "Very well..." Gemini Juvia said before putting her arms out and connecting her palms with her fingers facing outward. "WATER CYCLONE!" Gemini Juvia shouted as a tunnel made of water shot out blasting the fog away from everyone. The water even washed over Lucy herself washing the purple fog that was wrapped around her away. "It's gone?!" Gemini Juvia said in shock.
They really didn't think it would have worked. But apparently, their master knew it would.
Lucy stood on shaky legs as she glared ahead of her. Her eyes were still tinted purple. She wouldn't look back at Laxus because he would see it and think something was wrong with her. Which, there was honestly. She could feel that someone was trying to control her mind. She wasn't going to let that happen.
Laxus saw that her skin was bruised and the purple fog was wrapped around her. He watched as her legs wobbled under her.
"Lucy!" Laxus shouted as he was finally able to move to her side. He stared at her but she wouldn't let him see her face. "Lucy! Look at me!" Laxus demanded.
Instead of answering or looking at him, she stared straight ahead as her clothes changed into her Leo Stardress. The ground was soaked thanks to Gemini Juvia so the fog couldn't stick to it.
Lucy glanced at Gemini Juvia. "Go back..." Lucy said through gritted teeth. Gemini Juvia nodded before disappearing. Lucy looked ahead. She held up her fist as it glowed with the light of Regulus. "Come out and surrender or we won't spare you..." Lucy said dangerously low with a hint of a growl in her tone.
Lucy let her power build causing the glow around her fist to glow brighter. A magic circle appeared under her feet as the wind picked up around her causing the hair around her face to fly around.
Laxus snapped his eyes to the area Lucy was looking at to see the shadowy figure starting to back away. Laxus wasn't about to let them get away. Not after everything that they did.
"I'd listen to her if I were you..." Laxus growled as lightning crackled around him and over the leftover water.
The shadowy figure disappeared before several people were surrounding them. It was a group of about a hundred men.
"So the hard way it is then..." Lucy sighed. "You are all fools..." Lucy said before stepping backward to have her back up against Laxus' back.
Laxus smirked. He knew why she back up against him. The ground was covered in water and as long as he felt where she was the lightning wouldn't hit her if he didn't want it to. The ground crackled with the lightning causing them all to jump in surprise.
"What the hell?!" One of them yelled.
"He's a lightning mage! That asshole didn't tell us that! He just said it was the celestial wizard, he didn't say anything about there being another mage with her!" Another one yelled.
So they were just after Lucy. They wanted only her to come here. But their mistake was making it an S-class mission. She needed someone to come with her she couldn't go on her own.
Lucy smirked. "Just a lightning mage?" Lucy snorted. "Not likely... You obviously know nothing about Fairy Tail..." Lucy said smugly.
Laxus would have chuckled but the time wasn't right for that.
"Fairy Tail? Shit! That idiot!" One of them yelled.
Lucy giggled. "Yup that's right... He's none other than the Lightning Dragon Slayer, Thunder God himself, Laxus Dreyar! So, you know what that means, right?" Lucy asked. She got no answer which she wasn't exactly expecting anyone to answer. "You're all done for..." Lucy said.
Laxus had the urge to puff out his chest at her words. Her words were like a huge ego boost that he really didn't need. He couldn't let it get to his head just yet. But he would definitely tease her later for saying it.
"Shit! What was he thinking?!" Another guy yelled.
"Let's get this party started then... Laxus, how about you start it off with a light show, hm?" Lucy asked.
Laxus chuckled. 'She's having way too much fun with this...' He thought to himself. "Alright, let's do this..." Laxus smirked as he raised his fist in the air. "Resounding through the air, the roar of thunder, plunge from the heavens and reap destruction! Raging Bolt!" A large bolt of lightning then descended upon the group that was in front of him.
Once the bolt of lightning hit the ground the lightning spread out across the group electrocuting everyone that was standing by the leftover water. A lot of the jumped in the air so to avoid getting hit by the lightning.
"Ooo! So pretty! Don't you all agree?" Lucy giggled as she clapped her hands together.
Laxus rolled his eyes. He was starting to think she was losing her mind. It was nothing like her normal personality.
"Damn it!" One guy growled.
"Ain't he wonderful!" Lucy gushed. Lucy was feeling trapped in her mind unable to control herself. She needed to focus. She shook her head. "Damn, he really needs to get out of my head..." Lucy said through grit teeth.
Laxus heard the difference in the tone that was used. He then knew something wasn't completely right with Lucy. But he didn't exactly have the chance to see what since the group decided to attack all at once at that moment.
"Damn it!" Laxus growled as he punched a guy sending him flying. "This is going to get really annoying and fast..." Laxus grumbled.
"He's so amazing!" Lucy gushed before she shook her head and growled in annoyance. Lucy threw a Regulus punch into someone face sending them flying. "No kidding..." Lucy muttered.
"Do I want to know what's wrong with you?" Laxus asked kicking a guy into a tree.
"Someone's in my head... It's slightly distracting..." Lucy grumbled as she sent another guy flying with a kick.
Laxus flinched when he heard the crunch. "Ouch... That had to hurt..." Laxus chuckled before punching another guy.
"Screw it..." Lucy muttered. "Stardress! Cancer!" Lucy said before her clothes changed into Cancer's Stardress. She crossed her twin blades in front of her before charging forward with great speed, slashing at everyone in front of her. She jumped flipping backward landing on a branch in a tree above a group of the enemy. "Last chance boys! Ready to surrender?" Lucy said as she held her twins in a T shape.
"How did she get through so many of us? What is she?!" One of them yelled.
"Oh?" Lucy giggled. "I'm a Fairy Tail a wizard..." Lucy said like it was obvious before jumping down and slashing at the lot of them.
She felt the fog seeping further and further into her mind. The fog wasn't stuck to the ground or to her since everything was covered in water still. But it was still in the air. She had to make this fast but it seemed like there was no end to them.
Laxus was starting to get worried when he saw that she was slowing down but she didn't let up. But it looked like she was in pain by the way her face contorted. He wasn't sure what he could do. She kept fighting the group that was by him and trying to keep an eye on her but it was proving to be difficult.
Lucy was fighting against the control that was slowly taking over her body. She glanced at Laxus and saw the shadowy figure not far behind him. It looked like he was trying to sneak up on him. That was when she saw something shiny. Her eyes widened as she watched the shadowy figure slowly approach Laxus from behind him. She had a really bad feeling.
She gritted her teeth as she let her instincts take over. Her mind was no longer controlling her movements. She cleared her mind as she kept going gaining more and more speed as she went. She was getting close but it didn't look like she would make it in time. She gritted her teeth and pushed herself jumping into the air and changing Stardresses in mid-air. She adorned her Aquarius Stardress as she landed behind Laxus.
Laxus was startled to feel someone land behind him. He felt it wasn't an enemy so he guessed it was Lucy. He heard her grunt so he knew it was her. But something felt wrong about the sound she made. It was more of a groan of pain. He threw one more lightning-covered punch sending three enemies flying away to turn around and check on Lucy. When he did his eyes widened in horror.
Lucy landed and was ready to form a water barrier around them but she was too late. The sword that was launched at Laxus went right through her chest causing her to let out a grunt and groan of pain. Her hands went to the sword to hold it in place as her Stardress disappeared and changed back to her normal clothes. If she was any slower he would have been hit and she wasn't sure she could live with herself if something happened to someone who had helped her these past couple of days.
The shadowy figure stepped out to reveal the client they met earlier. His eyes were wide in surprise and horror. He didn't want the celestial mage harmed. He gritted his teeth.
"Fall back and scatter!" The guy yelled before they all halted in their tracks.
Once Laxus saw the state Lucy was in he felt like he was losing his mind. He fell to his knees as he caught her before she hit the ground when her legs gave out on her. He cradled her to his chest as he let out a growl that shook the trees and ground around them. He felt like he was losing control of his magic. Like he did years before. But this time for a different reason. He was losing a guildmate right before his eyes.
The electricity in the air crackled as the hair on the back of everyone's necks started to stand on end. They were stuck in place by fear. The magic pressure that Laxus was giving off was suffocating. Static tingled their skin as they watched with wide eyes as the once yellow lightning turned red. The red lightning crackled and sparked around and over their bodies like a warning. They couldn't move or make a sound. But it seemed their leader wasn't afraid like they were.
"What are you waiting for!? Get out of here!" The man yelled and turned to run but before he could get too far a blast of magic exploded taking out not only the group of men, their leader but also the forest around them.
Laxus sat there holding Lucy tight not wanting to remove the sword from her chest. She didn't take notice that there was no more forest around them. The lightning stopped and disappeared as Laxus calmed down. His mind was going crazy trying to figure out what to do. He had no clue. He was in a state of panic. Nothing was coming to mind.
He laid her down on the ground as he hovered over her and propped himself up with both arms on each side of her. He wanted to scream and rampage. He never felt like this before. It scared him but he was finding himself letting his instincts take over.
"Loke..." Laxus croaked. Nothing happened. The growl he let slip out echoed around him. "Loke!" Laxus called through grit teeth.
A flash of gold light appeared leaving behind the loyal ginger-haired spirit. Loke looked down his eyes filled with pain and anger.
"What do you want, Laxus?" Loke asked coldly.
Laxus could tell by his tone that he wasn't in a good mood. And if he had to guess it was because of the state Lucy was in currently. Not that he wasn't in the same mood. He was pissed and desperate at this point. He promised nothing would happen to her. And he allowed this to happen in his eyes.
That is when a thought came to his mind. He knew it was wrong and he couldn't go back on it after it was done. But it was either that or letting Lucy die.
"I need you to go to the guild... Tell Mira I'm sorry, I don't have any other choice..." Laxus said as he put his hand over Lucy's head.
"What do you mean? What are you going to do?" Loke asked horrified.
"Please... Just go..." Laxus pleaded. Loke hesitated but nodded after a moment before he disappeared. "I'm so sorry about this Lucy... But I can't let you die... Not like this..." Laxus said as he moved her hair from her neck.
He quickly pulled the sword out before he lowered his head to her neck. He called upon his dragon slayer magic making his canines elongate making them sharp fangs. He willed his magic to them as he closed his eyes.
Fairy Tail was going about its normal business as usual. Mira was still trying to find a team to go back-up Laxus and Lucy. Erza and the rest of team Natsu had returned not long ago. None of them were happy with what happened while they were gone on the mission. Erza and Gray refused to talk to Natsu and Lisanna, especially after what they did behind Lucy's back.
Natsu asked Mira about letting them go back Lucy and Laxus up but Mira ignored him and Lisanna. She was still pissed at them for what they did. Erza and Gray had asked about them but Mira said they need more than just two people to back them up. She was going through the guildmembers that were there when Gajeel and Levy returned.
Mira had called the Thunder Legion to come in and they had arrived at the same time Gajeel and Levy had returned. Mira was filling them in on the situation. She was going to send The Thunder Legion, Gajeel, Levy, Erza, Gray, and Juvia since she wanted to go along with Gray.
Makarov was sitting on the bar since he had stopped in to check on Laxus but soon found out he wasn't there and was on a job with Lucy. Which he thought was strange but shrugged it off. He was surprised that Mira refused to talk to Natsu and Lisanna at first until he caught sight of Lisanna's neck. Last he knew Natsu was with Lucy. So he was completely confused and figured after Mira was done organizing the backup team he would ask what had happened.
Mira was finishing up the final details for the backup team when a flash of light drew everyone's attention. Loke appeared in the middle of the guild with a sullen expression. Seeing the normally happy and flirty spirit looking gloomy had everyone on alert.
"Loke? What are you doing here?" Gray asked.
Loke looked up at Gray before moving his gaze to Mira. "I'm sorry..." Loke said putting his head back down.
"What happened, Loke?" Mira asked fear lacing her tone.
"Laxus sent me..." Loke croaked.
"Oh... So, he's alright?" Mira asked relieved. But that she thought about it. "Wait... Lucy! Is she alright?!" Mira asked.
Loke closed his eyes, clenched his fist, and gritted his teeth. He couldn't say it. He couldn't tell them. He didn't want to be the one to tell them that Lucy, his friend, his key-holder, was dead.
Gray gasped. "No..." Gray whispered as his eyes widened. "Loke! Where's Lucy!?" Gray shouted.
"Where's Luce?" Natsu asked worriedly.
Loke's eyes snapped to Natsu. "How dare you!" Loke growled. "You don't deserve to know what happened! Not after what you did to her!" Loke shouted in a rage.
Mira ran up to Loke putting her hands on his shoulders. "Loke!" Mira called out. Loke's eyes snapped to hers. "What happened?" Mira asked.
Loke's lip quivered. "Lucy got stabbed..." Loke forced the words out.
"WHAT?!" Was the collective shouts and yells of the guild.
"Explain..." Mira said holding his gaze to hers.
"She was protecting Laxus... She took the hit for him..." Loke croaked.
"Where's Laxus?" Mira asked trying to keep him focused as her heart broke.
"He sent me here... He told me to tell you he was sorry, that he doesn't have any other choice..." Loke explained through grit teeth.
"What does he mean he doesn't have any other choice?" Mira asked with wide eyes.
Loke shrugged. "I don't know I didn't ask... He just told me to come here and didn't tell me anything else..." Loke said.
Mira gasped as she covered her mouth with her hands. "He wouldn't..." Mira whispered in horror.
"What? He wouldn't what?" Gajeel asked as he had his arms crossed over his chest. Mira looked over at him then looked over to Levy focusing on the mark that Levy wore on her neck. Gajeel followed her gaze. His eyes widened at what she meant. "Even if he wanted to... He couldn't unless it was meant to be that way... If she's not his mate it won't work..." Gajeel explained in a pained voice.
"Are you sure? Would that mean Lucy would..." Mira started to until she trailed off.
She was conflicted she didn't know what to think. She felt horrible for hoping that Laxus wouldn't be able to because that would mean Lucy would die. But then she didn't feel right about hoping it did work just to save Lucy. They would be forever bonded together. She didn't know how to feel about it.
Gajeel nodded. "Yeah... If the marking doesn't take, she'll die anyway..." Gajeel said finishing her thought.
There was a collective of gasps and shouts. They were all conflicted on what to hope for the outcome. They all knew that Mira and Laxus have been together for a long time but now Laxus was making the sacrifice of his relationship with Mira to hopefully be able to save Lucy.
Of course, they hoped he could save her but they didn't want Mira hurt by it either. In the end, they just hoped Lucy would be okay.
"Mira..." Makarov called out to her.
Mira smiled sadly. "It's alright master... I'll be fine... As long as Lucy's okay, I'll be happy..." Mira said but the pain she was feeling was clear in her voice.
Makarov felt his heart ached for her but there was nothing any of them could do. Not while they were so far away.
"Are we still going or are we going to wait for them to come home?" Gajeel asked hoping they could go.
He'd never admit it but he was worried about both of them. Not that they couldn't take care of themselves but he'd feel better knowing for sure.
"Wait for Laxus to contact us... Loke... Go back and find out what's going on..." Makarov said.
Loke did want to get to his key-holder. Loke sighed and nodded before he disappeared.
"Everything will be fine... Lucy will pull through..." Lisanna said putting a hand on Mira's shoulder.
Mira shrugged it off. "This is all your fault..." Mira asked before stomping back to the kitchen.
Lisanna sighed. She didn't want her sister to be mad at her but she couldn't change it now. It was already done. She wanted Lucy to come back safe and sound but at the same time, she wished she didn't. And she hated herself for even thinking that. She walked back over to the table Natsu was sitting at with Happy.
"Will Lucy be okay?" Happy asked as he look up at Natsu.
"Of course, little buddy... It's Luce, she's invincible..." Natsu said with a forced smile as he patted the cat's head.
Happy nodded. "I hope so..." Happy mumbled.
Laxus clenched his eyes shut as he hesitated. He didn't want to do this to someone who couldn't consent but he didn't have much choice. Not if he wanted her to live. He just hoped that it would work. He quickly opened his mouth and bit down on the junction between her neck and shoulder releasing his magic into her system. He hugged her tight as he clenched his jaw sinking his teeth deeper into her skin.
He felt tingles under where his skin met hers. His hand wrapped around her upper arm feeling the tingles intensify. That was the sign that it was working. He loosened his jaw and detached his teeth from her neck as he threw his head back taking in much-needed air that he didn't realize he needed. He ended up holding his breath for a little too long to wait to see if this would work.
He sat back letting her head rest in his lap as his shoulders sagged. He had a feeling she was going kick his ass when she woke up. At this point, he didn't care. As long as she was alive he would let her do whatever she wanted.
He felt terrible for doing this to Mira too but if he was being honest with himself, he really didn't have those types of feelings for her to begin with. She was just familiar. He'd have to explain to her when he got back.
He felt like something was pulling and calling to his soul. He looked down at the blonde in his lap. It felt like a needle was sewing his to hers. It wasn't painful in a sense it was just strange to feel. He remembered Gajeel explaining the effects of marking a mate. He said his past with her flashed through his head torturing him and reminding him why he fell for the mate in the first place. He was just waiting for that to happen now. Gajeel said it would happen after the soul merging.
A flash of light appeared to reveal Loke who looked down at them. He looked at Lucy's neck and saw the two puncture wounds that seemed to be sparking and closing out the wound. He looked at the wound from the sword and saw the same thing. Loke looked to Laxus who just closed his eyes. Loke tilted his head slightly wondering what was going on. The pained look on Laxus' face told him it wasn't something good.
Laxus had to close his eyes to see his encounters with Lucy flash before his eyes. He needed to focus otherwise he'd be in pain like Gajeel was when it happened to him. Gajeel explained that it felt like your mind getting slammed over and over with a wrecking ball. And it did. He took slow deep breaths breathing through the pain of the pounding in his head. The pain got less as his memories of the Grand Magic Games appeared as he watched Lucy's battle with Flare and how angry he got. Then the round with Minerva where he almost lost his mind. Not that he was the only one wanting to go down and kick her ass.
From there the pain vanished as their interactions got better. That's when the feeling of, what Gajeel said was, Love started to grow in his heart for the woman that lay in his lap. Laxus opened his eyes after the pain stopped completely as he wrapped both arms around Lucy and pulled her up to his chest and hugged her. His eyes flashed to animal-like eyes and back to normal.
"Laxus..." Loke said gently.
"I'm fine..." Laxus said, his voice raspy. "It's just the mate bond forming... I need her close for the time being..." Laxus explained as he picked her up after a moment. "Let's get back to the hotel... I want to wash her up..." Laxus said his tone turning more and more monotone by the second.
Loke nodded and followed behind him. "You should contact the guild then..." Loke said after they've been walking for a while.
"I will... Once she's awake we'll head home..." Laxus said reaching the hotel.
"The fog is gone..." Loke said as he looked around.
"Yeah... The guy that was behind it is gone..." Laxus said as he walked through the hotel lobby.
"You think he'll be back?" Loke asked following behind him.
Laxus shrugged. "I don't know... I didn't see his body with the others... Though, to tell you the truth I wasn't paying much attention to anything other than Lucy at the time..." Laxus explained.
"I'll go check and make sure the council arrests them... Take care of my key-holder..." Loke said before turning around and leaving again.
Laxus didn't bother answering. He didn't have any words at the moment. His mind was completely on the blonde he was carrying up the steps to their hotel room. It didn't take long before they reached the room. He just found it a bit difficult to get the key to the room out while holding the blonde in his arms.
Once he did he took her in and laid her down on the bed before taking off her shoes. He found that he had to be touching her for himself to be calm. He heard the sound of a doorbell from behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see Virgo looking sadly at them. She bowed before going into the bathroom. He assumed to get the bath ready. He heard the water turn on and sighed.
He shrugged off his coat and laid it on the chair by the bed before unbuttoning his shirt. He didn't feel comfortable letting anyone take her from him right now so he would have to be the one to bathe her. A part of him felt wrong since she was still out. But he didn't like seeing her covered in dirt and blood. He didn't like smelling her blood. It made his stomach turn.
Once he was in his boxers he finished undressing Lucy before he picked her up and brought her into the bathroom. Virgo saw him bring her key-holder through the door she was ready to take her but saw the look on his face and in his eyes. She backed away and bowed before she disappeared. She didn't dare say a word.
Seeing Virgo disappear he relaxed slightly. He was still feeling uneasy about this. He groaned before he wiggled out of his boxers. He stepped into the tub before sinking slowly into the water. Surprisingly enough the tub was big enough for him and Lucy to fit and still had enough room to move. He set Lucy in between his legs, letting her back rest against his chest.
He heard his lacrima comm going off but he wasn't going to go and get it. The only thing on his mind was Lucy and to him, she came first. As he was gently scrubbing the dirt and blood off Lucy he heard the lacrima comm continue to go off until it stopped. But he heard a male voice answer it.
"What is it, Mira?" He heard Loke ask.
"Where's Laxus? Why isn't he answering?" He heard Mira ask.
Loke sighed. "He's cleaning Lucy up... It seems..." Loke trailed off he didn't want to be the one to tell her about the marking actually talking to Lucy. Meaning it wouldn't have with Mira even if Laxus were to try to mark her. He would rather have Laxus tell her but he knew Laxus wouldn't be able to right now. "I can have hi-" Loke started but Mira cut him off.
"How's Lucy?" Mira asked sadly.
Loke sighed again. "She's fine..." Loke said looking away from her sad face.
"So it worked?" Mira asked with a sigh. Loke nodded. "Well, that's good... Do they still need backup? I have a team ready to come help..." Mira said with a sad smile.
"I'll have to talk to Laxus before I answer that... From my sweep of the forest, I found everyone but the client..." Loke explained, thankful for the subject change.
"Laxus said something about a purple fog? Is it still there?" Mira asked.
"Actually, yeah it is... It hasn't disappeared... It did after Lucy used Gemini to wash it away but it came back not long ago..." Loke explained as he sat on the bed.
Mira nodded and looked to be in thought. "Wait? How did Gemini wash it away?" Mira asked confused.
Loke chuckled as he pushed up his glasses. "She had them turn into Juvia surprisingly enough... Which I'm surprised on, to be honest, Lucy wasn't in complete control of her body or mind at the time..." Loke explained.
Mira blinked in surprise. "Wow... I wonder if Juvia knows that Lucy had Gemini copy her?" Mira mused.
Loke chuckled. "I don't know but since she couldn't summon Aquarius because there was no water nearby she decided Gemini would have to do... It worked so..." Loke shrugged trailing off at the end.
"Find out if you guys need the back-up and let me know..." Mira said with a sigh.
"Alright, Mira... I'll call you back in a few..." Loke said with a nod before cutting the connection. Loke let out a long sigh before getting up off the bed and walking to the bathroom door. He knew he couldn't walk in there but he could call through the door. "Laxus..." Loke called as he knocked on the door with his knuckle.
"Tell Mira, yeah we could use the backup..." He heard Laxus say before he sighed. "I have a feeling there's more out there..." Laxus added.
"I agree..." Loke said leaning against the door. Loke sighed. "How is she?" Loke asked after a moment.
"She's getting better... But it's concerning how slow she's healing... It shouldn't take this long..." Loke heard Laxus say before hearing the sloshing of the water. "I'm getting her out to lay her down... Make sure she sends Wendy..." Laxus said before he went silent.
Loke sighed before walking back over to the bed where he left the Lacrima comm. He was concerned with what Laxus said. He had a feeling it was because the guy trying to control her was still in her head making her fight against the marking. Otherwise, it wouldn't have taken this long. He needed to talk to Gajeel before he gets off the call with Mira.
"Fairy Tail..." Loke said as he poured his magic into the lacrima comm. He waited until Mira's face appeared. "Hey, Mira..." Loke said.
"Hey, have you spoken to Laxus?" Mira asked.
Loke nodded. "Yeah, he said to send the team and to make sure you send Wendy..." Loke said.
Mira blinked. "Okay? Why Wendy? I thought Lucy was okay..." Mira said her eyes going wide.
Loke sighed. "Let me talk to Gajeel..." Loke said.
Mira nodded slowly with a raised eyebrow. "Alright..." Mira said before passing the lacrima comm to the iron dragon slayer who looked slightly confused.
"What is it?" Gajeel grunted.
"Lucy's recovering but very slowly... I sort of explained that Lucy was under mind control earlier... I have a feeling he's still in her head and he's making her fight against it..." Loke explained.
Gajeel's eyes went wide as he nodded. "Alright, I'll make sure the squirt comes with... If it's what you say then yeah she would heal slowly... There might be another way too..." Gajeel said as he looked like he was thinking.
Loke chuckled. "Don't hurt yourself there big guy..." Loke teased.
Gajeel growled with a glare. "Ha Ha, very funny cat... Have Laxus do a dream walk with her..." Gajeel said.
"A what?!" Loke asked with a raised eyebrow.
Gajeel sighed. "It's more like a dream state... He'll enter her mind and help her that way... It's called Dream walking... Only dragon slayers can do it with their mates... It'll help until we get there and Wendy can help from there..." Gajeel explained.
Loke's eyebrows raised in shock. "I didn't know that... How do you do that?" Loke asked.
Gajeel groaned in annoyance. "It's harder than it sounds... The marking worked right?" Gajeel asked. Loke nodded. "Okay, have Laxus use that as the connection... He'll have to touch her and go more into a meditation-like state, and focus only on her and feel for her mind and soul... It's the only way to enter her mind..." Gajeel explained.
Loke nodded in understanding. "Alright... I'll tell him... You sure this is going to work?" Loke asked.
"Not totally sure... But it'll help... Look, I wouldn't lie about something like this... They're guildmates, I have no reason to lie about something like this..." Gajeel snapped.
Loke raised his hand in surrender. "Alright, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that... I'll let him know... Thanks, Gajeel..." Loke said with a nervous chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah... Anything for family... See you all soon..." Gajeel said cutting the connection.
Loke sighed he wasn't sure about this but it was worth a shot.
Gajeel cut the connection before turning back to the group that was waiting for him. If he was being honest, he wasn't sure if Dream Walking would work. He knew it helped Levy with nightmares now and then. He had to do that plenty of times to remind her that it was a dream. She always calmed down after that but that's all it was really supposed to do. It was a reassurance to the mate that they were alone even in their dreams.
"Wendy, you're coming with..." Gajeel said walking to the waiting group.
Wendy nodded. "Right!" Wendy said with determination.
"I want to come with you!" Natsu said standing up with a growl.
"No..." Gajeel growled back.
"Why not?!" Natsu shouted.
"Because none of us would stop Laxus from killing you... It's best to stay away from them for the time being..." Gajeel said walking to the door. "Let's go! We don't have time to waste..." Gajeel said to the group that was waiting for him.
The group nodded and followed behind him.
"Be careful!" Mira shouted before they all exited the door. Mira sighed. "I hope everyone comes back in one piece..." Mira muttered.
"They'll be fine..." Makarov said as he sat on the counter with a mug in his hand.
"Lucy almost died... I should have sent a group in the first place, not just two mages! It's my fault for just sending Laxus and Lucy... None of this would have happened if I would have sent a team..." Mira said walking back to the bar.
"You can't blame yourself... If you want to blame someone then blame the client... From what I heard he was the one behind all of it..." Makarov said.
Mira huffed with a snort. "Fine... But I'm also blaming Natsu and my sister..." Mira said before walking into the kitchen.
Makarov sighed as he shook his head. He had no clue what happened but it looked like he needed to get to the bottom of it sooner or later. He would ask about it all after The other returned.
Laxus overheard the conversation that Loke was having. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go into her head. He felt it was an invasion of privacy. But if that was the only option then he guessed he didn't have much choice in the matter.
He lifted Lucy back in his arms before standing and stepping out of the tub. He looked and saw there was a stack of towels and clothes for both him and Lucy. He had to remember to thank Virgo for that. He managed to wrap Lucy in a towel and wrap it around his waist. It wasn't easy having to hold someone but he managed it.
He didn't exactly feel comfortable changing Lucy's clothes but he didn't think he had much of a choice. He sighed and looked through the crack in the door and saw Loke just starting to stand. Something inside him didn't like another male in the room but he knew Loke was just one of Lucy's spirits. It was like a war inside him. He wanted to tear Loke apart but he didn't at the same time. To say it was confusing would be an understatement.
After a moment of warring with himself, he groaned but walked out of the bathroom. He looked around and saw Loke on the other side of the room far away from the bed. He looked at Loke in confusion for a moment.
"I'm not stupid enough to be anywhere near a Dragon Slayer's mate just after them being marked..." Loke said answering his unasked question.
Laxus nodded before continuing to the bed. He laid Lucy down on the bed. She was still wrapped in the towel. He knew he'd need both hands to change her. He looked up when he felt another person in the room and saw Virgo walking toward him with the clothes that he ended up leaving in the bathroom. He forgot to even grab them. He at the urge to smack himself in the forehead. Virgo placed the clothes on the end of the bed.
"Thank you, Virgo..." Laxus croaked. Virgo nodded before bowing and disappearing. Laxus looked over his shoulder at Loke. "Mind giving us a few?" Laxus asked.
Loke nodded before he disappeared. He knew better than to stick around. He may be immortal but that didn't mean he wanted to get hurt.
Laxus sighed before he grabbed the sleep pants and boxers that lay on top of the pile of clothes. He needed to get dressed before he could get her dressed. Just to be on the safe side. He didn't want Lucy freaking out because he was naked. That was the last thing he wanted.
It was bad enough he was going to face her wrath when she woke up and finds out he marked her. Not that he much of a choice. He couldn't let her die. Not like that.
After he was dressed in the sleep pants, he walked over to Lucy and began slowly changing her into the shorts and tank that Virgo left. He couldn't count how many times he gulped or bit the inside of his cheek. The electric shocks from the skin contact alone were enough to drive him insane. He'd have to ask Gajeel if that was normal. He doesn't remember reading anything like that but who knows? He only skimmed that part. If he wasn't honest it was embarrassing to read something like that.
Then again having the mating talk with Gajeel wasn't something he wanted to do either. He had the sudden urge to bang his head against the wall. This was going to get super awkward, he just had that feeling. Even more than the Sex talk with Gildarts and his grandfather. A shiver went up his spine at the thought of that. That was one of the most embarrassing days of his life when they both sat him down to talk to him about that. Gildarts, yeah he could have handled that, but his grandfather, no, nope, Nah uh. That was the most awkward conversation ever.
He sighed in relief when he released through his internal panicking he had gotten Lucy fully dressed. Maybe letting his mind wander was a good thing sometimes. Now all he had to do was figure out how to get Loke to come back.
He sighed before going to the other side of the bed and sitting cross-legged facing Lucy. He watched her as she slept. He felt like a creep just watching her but he couldn't figure out anything else right now. Could he just say his name and he'd appear? He wasn't sure. He could try. It couldn't hurt, just make him look stupid. What did he have to lose?
He cleared his throat. "Loke?!" He called out looking around the room. To his relief, Loke appeared in a flash of light on the other side of the room. "Thank god that worked..." Laxus mumbled.
Loke raised an eyebrow. He felt like teasing him to lighten the mood but he wasn't sure if Laxus would take it as a joke or not. So, he just left it go.
"Laxus..." Loke nodded in greeting. "I'm going to assume you heard my conversation with Gajeel earlier..." Loke said.
Laxus nodded. "Yeah, I heard... You sure this will work?" Laxus asked.
"According to Gajeel, yeah it should..." Loke said reassuringly.
Laxus nodded again. "So, just concentrate on the mark?" Laxus asked.
Loke shrugged. "I don't know... He said you'd have to be touching her..." Loke said not really like that idea but he didn't have much choice.
Laxus nodded once again. "Alright... I can give it a try..." Laxus mumbled before he laid down and wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her against him. "Like this?" Laxus asked nervously.
Loke shrugged. "I guess... He didn't say how exactly..." Loke said.
"Okay..." Laxus said closing his eyes and resting his forehead against the back of Lucy's head.
He took a deep breath, concentrating on the sparks that he felt under his fingertips. He buried his nose in her hair breathing in the sweet smell that seemed to soothe his raging emotions. He hugged her tighter moving his head to her shoulder. That's when he felt something calling him.
His head rested near the mark he gave her earlier. It felt like it was pulsing with magic. The magic was pulling him in. One thing he always swore he would never let anyone control him. But this time, he let the magic pull him in.
Loke watched from where he was standing. He saw Laxus' face relax like he was sleeping. He couldn't believe it didn't take that long for him to give him. From what Gajeel explained it was harder to do than that. He sighed and walked over to the other bed to sit down. He didn't like being on guard duty but he wouldn't let anyone or anything come near his keyholder.
Laxus felt like he was being pulled into a whirlpool. He was falling and there didn't seem like there was a bottom to it.
Feel for her soul.
He heard echo in his mind. He took a deep breath and relaxed letting his soul search for hers. It felt like he stopped falling and was just floating there. He figured that is what was supposed to happen. He felt a calming aura flow over him. He smirked before he opened his eyes. What he saw had his eyes widening.
He was standing in the middle of a grassy field. The wind was blowing lightly. The sky was gray with a purple tint to it. There was a hill in front of him. On top of that hill was a tall cheery blossom tree.
He could have laughed. It figured it had to be a cherry blossom tree. One of Lucy's favorites.
That thought alone confused him. How did he know that? He didn't know exactly but he was just going with it for now.
He continued looking around The grass looked dark green. He imagined that in Lucy's mind the grass would be gold or pink or something weird. He shrugged as he looked up the hill again to see a lone figure standing there in a long white flowing dress. Her blonde hair was blowing in the wind.
He couldn't help smiling at the sight of her.
"Lucy..."
Okay, so that is that chapter.
I hope you enjoyed it.
More to come later.
Hopefully xD