Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters: that right belongs to Hiro do I own the rights to Xenosaga: that right belongs to Tetsuya Takahashi.

Author's Note: Time Frame: We are now at the GMG and will follow along with it according to the Manga (NOT THE ANIME) so expect changes as Chaos replaces Lucy in the roster.


Everyone gathered in the main area of the Honey Bone Inn. Their eyes focused on Chaos, sitting quietly next to Lucy with Asuka on his lap. The three looked like a quaint little family. But everyone could tell both Chaos and Lucy were still on high alert and feeling awkward around each other.

Yet, given how the match against Raven Tail ended. Then Lucy gave an over-exuberant whoop at Chaos' win. Most of the Guild had noticed the development in their two Guildmates. Though it seemed only one of them was aware of the change.

Chaos was a welcome addition to their Guild. He was always calm, logical, and rational (sometimes to the point it was scary). He loved to help out if he was able to. And for some of the Guild elders, his respect was a welcome blessing. But it was his ability to adapt and fit right in, especially with his team, that only cemented his place in Fairy Tail. Well, that and how he treated Lucy.

The latter everyone was worried about. After the match, Lucy finally told them how she had not renewed her contracts with her spirits. Part of it was fear of rejection because she had her golden keys stolen. And the other half was something tainting her magic, making it unstable, according to Porlyusica and Wendy.

Then learning while Lucy was held captive, the ass had injected her with his magic multiple times, which had caused it to burst open her second origin, so she was having a hard time even controlling all the new magic she had taken into herself.

"Miss Lucy?" Asuka called out, breaking the silence.

"Mmm," Lucy hummed.

"Do you know the silver-haired lady who used Spirits today?"

A heaviness filled the air at Asuka's question. It felt like it was adding gunpowder to a bomb ready to ignite.

"No, Asuka, I don't hear," Lucy replied after a few seconds. "But I can tell you her Spirits love her."

"Ah, okay. I think she'd be a good friend for you," Asuka said seriously before sliding from Chaos' lap.

The faint smile on Lucy's lips at Asuka's innocent words was warm and lit up the Honey Bone Inn. They'd missed seeing even a tiny smile from Lucy.

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The cool night air felt thick as Lucy froze. There before her were the two she'd seen upon arriving in Crocus. She now knew them to be the twin dragon slayers of Sabertooth, Sting, and Rogue.

But that did not matter. It was the familiar state of panic Rogue invoked in her. His narrow crimson eyes locked on her with confusion, disinterest, and sadness.

His presence caused her chest to tighten as each breath became shallow, and her panic turned into fear. Yet even as she willed herself to turn and leave, she was rooted to where she stood.

Lucy also knew Rogue was not the person who had kidnapped and tortured her.

No, there were similarities, but there were also differences, like a lack of white hair and dark markings on him.

"Lucy?"

The cry from her teammates was but a distant echo in her ears as Lucy began to feel light-headed, and her vision started to blur at the edges.

"Natsu, get her back to the inn."

Lucy felt solid and warm arms lift her after a soothing voice spoke.

"Erza, help Chaos. Come on, Gray, let's get Lucy to Porlyusica. Her state is worse than the first day."

Lucy felt her body shake violently at her friend's words. Then she heard the faint sound of crying and couldn't help but wonder who it was.

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As soon as Natsu and Gray had left with Lucy (Happy, thankfully following them), Chaos turned to look at the two dragon slayers. Their faces showed what they thought clearly. So Chaos smiled warmly and stood next to Erza.

"I ask you not to dig too deeply," Chaos spoke, the smile turning cold. "Something happened a while back to our Guild member that left a deep mental and emotional scar."

Chaos watched intently as the two focused on him. He could tell the blond, Sting, was a hothead like Natsu. But at least he had enough self-control not to act irrationally. While the other, Rogue, was almost in a blank state of being.

"We heard one of your members had been kidnapped and tortured. And that the Rune Knights were involved in their rescue," Rogue finally spoke. His voice was soft as his eyes shone under the moon. "So that was her then."

Chaos nodded his head but let his smile vanish entirely.

"I'm sorry that each time Lucy seems to encounter you two, she has a panic attack. It's part of why she is not participating due to this instability in this competition," Chaos said.

"But, why us? We did not do a damn thing to your little blond fair," Sting snapped. His eyes narrowed in annoyance.

Chaos focused on Sting. He was allowing a little of his anima to seep out. The way Sting spoke displeased him.

"And I do not know why. She won't speak about it. So, I ask, if possible, to avoid her," Chaos spoke each word slowly and deliberately in a cold tone. "And her name is Lucy, not blond fairy. Please have manners, blond tiger."

The soft snort from both Erza and Rogue had Sting flushing darkly. But it was the fact all three were shifting uncomfortably. Chaos knew they were reacting to his anima. The light cough from Erza had Chaos reigning it back in.

"We understand," Rogue said. His red eyes narrowed to thin slits. "We will try not to cause an issue with her. But there is no promise that others from our Guild won't."

Flashing a toothy smile, Chaos chuckled as he replied in kind, "Then I'll personally handle it when the situation arises."

Chaos reached out and patted Erza's shoulder, his eyes never leaving the duo as they nodded and turned. His face shifted to a cold mask. He cared a lot for Lucy, and anyone that tried to hurt her with intent would have Chaos personally take care of it.

TBC!