(Edited)
Soler vs Laxus
Some days have passed since the Phantom incident and the guild reconstruction efforts had paid off tremendously. The members had gotten most of the frameworks done and now have hired a crew to finish the rest. From just laying down the base framework Soler could tell the new guildhall was going to be massive. But the best part of the guilds reconstruction is that the job board is up again and the guild hasn't been quieter. Even Neb found a job take and was gone. Soler entered the guild coming from the Magic Council and saw that the place was still pretty quiet. A smile grew on his face seeing Mira behind the bar washing some things with a hum. He took a seat at the bar and just listened to her hum. Her soft voice was soothing to listen to which led him to close his eyes to enjoy better. He didn't know the song she was humming nor did he care he was just listening to Mira. But when he humming stopped it made him peek open an eye to see Mira smiling right at him. He smirked right back,
"Why did ya stop the humming? I was enjoying it so much," he teased. That made her giggle and her cheeks flush up a bit,
"If you really want to hear me sing you could just ask me. I wouldn't mind," she responded. Soler shook his head,
"Nah it sounds much better when you decide to sing yourself. Well at least in my opinion," Mira fidgeted slightly a sudden nervousness coming over her,
"W-Well, then how about we do something sometime then. I'm sure I'd be sure to sing for you then," she asked, kicking herself for messing up her question. Soler didn't seem to notice and nodded nevertheless,
"Sure sounds like it'd be fun," he said. A moment passed as she processed his answer. But right after the biggest smile spread on Mira's face as she lit up in joy.
"Yeah that'll be perfect!" she nearly squeaked. Soler chuckled at that,
"Someone got excited. But before you get too excited do you think you could get me a drink, please? I've been parched since leaving the Council," he said with a grin. Mira nodded and quickly went off to fetch a drink. The moment she walked off someone plopped down next to him. He looked to see it was none other than his favorite blonde Lucy. He smiled seeing her,
"How's it going, Luc. I can't believe Natsu didn't pull you out for a job." he joked. The girl sighed,
"Oh, he did trust me. We got back this morning but when we saw a lot of the members gone he decided to go out on another one and is gone again," she explained with another sigh following.
"You didn't want to go with?" she shook her head,
"No, it was something he could handle on his own. I was really planning on relaxing and maybe write some more of my story today. Then I saw you were back and decided to say hi before going home." Soler nodded in understanding,
"That sounds as good a plan as any. Wait, you're a writer?" he questioned. Lucy blushed slightly and scratched the back of her head,
"Heh, well I'm just an amateur at best," she said.
"Hey, don't talk down on yourself. Everyone is an amateur at something when they try to master a craft. The important thing is to keep at it to master it and it sounds like you're keeping at it." he said. His words brighten her mood evident by her smile,
"Yeah I've been writing it for a while now and I think it's almost done." He nodded a smile of his own showing at learning about his friend,
"Well you got to let me read it when it's done." he said getting a bit excited at the thought of reading his friend's work. Lucy quickly ended that excitement with a shake of her head,
"Sorry but Levy already called first dibs on reading it. You'll have to wait until after her," she teased. Soler sighed but nodded,
"Sounds like Levy to get first dibs on a new book. Ah well, I'll be more than glad to wait my turn. I'm sure it's going to be a good read." he said. Before they continued Mira returned with his drink,
"Heres your drink. Hey there Lucy. How's it going?" she asked with a smile. Lucy greeted her back and then the two went into a conversation allowing Soler to just sip his drink and half-listen. As he drank he took a look around the guild to see there was really only a handful of members sitting about and none of the regulars were a part of them. He remembered Erza leaving on a job at the same time he and Master left for the council. Of course, he figured she should be back sometime today much like Master who was in a meeting with the other Ten Wizards Saints regarding Jose and the empty spot. He's sure he should return today also but probably not for a good long time. He continued his drinking when he felt something was off but just couldn't tell what it was. Mira and Lucy were chatting away when someone new walked into the guild and up to the bar. Mira looked up to see and her chipper mood instantly soured at seeing the man.
"Oh no not you." she said making Lucy look in her direction and her eyes grew wide at seeing who was approaching. Soler though wasn't paying too much attention to wrapped in his thoughts,
"I see the dog is sitting where the humans should be again." the cocky voice of Laxus said looking right at Soler. The teen didn't acknowledge the other man and kept drinking. Laxus's smirk only grew as he got right behind him with an ever so vigilant Mira watching him like a hawk.
"What's the matter? Can't talk all that bravado now that I'm actually here and not on some lacrima?" he continued still not getting a response from Soler.
"Why are you here Laxus?" Mira asked harshly. Laxus turned his attention to her and plopped his hand on Soler's head using it as a stand by pushing down on it,
"What I can't be back in my own guild hall now? I'm hurt Mira." he said mockingly. Seeing his hand on Soler only upset her more but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing it,
"I mean why now? I thought you and the Thunder Tribe was off on a job." she responded. Laxus laughed roughing up Soler's hair,
"Well the job was pretty easy so I let them handle it. I was going to stay with them but after the little message from you I just had to come back to make sure everything was alright." he sneered looking down at the quiet Soler, "But now it may seem I've wasted my time in coming. Trash boy here is cowering like he should be in my presence. Isn't that right?" Soler finally took a glance at him his eyes were full of anger and annoyance but he didn't say anything and just turned back to his drink. Laxus gave a hardy laugh at seeing that,
"If looks could kill I'd be six feet under from that glance. Whats the matter won't defend yourself because your precious Mira is watching. Or is it because of-" he stopped when he finally noticed the trembling Lucy.
"Wait you're the newbie that caused all this right?" he didn't hide the malice in his voice which only added to Lucy's fear of him. His face twisted into a scowl as he loomed over her, "So rich girl ran away from home and brought all her problems to Fairy Tail. If you hadn't joined up then the guild wouldn't be in the state its in!" his anger was rising much like the guilt in Lucy's heart. Since Laxus switched his attention Soler was staring at him intensely,
"Leave her out of this Laxus. It's not Lucy's fault that Phantom attacked." Mira spoke up. Laxus slammed his hand down on the counter getting a squeak from Lucy.
"She's not to blame? This little runaway is what gave Phantom the chance to make a joke of the guild! If she wants to call herself a mage then she should take responsibility and leave the-"
"Shut up Laxus." the voice of Soler brought all attention back to the mage who was still staring intensely at the other. Laxus's cocky smirk came back at hearing him,
"So finally got the balls to speak up. What couldn't stand hearing her get called out for what she is." he asked. Soler stood up and turned his attention to the bigger man glaring up at him,
"No, I'm tired of hearing you speak. Lucy was just a victim in all this so don't you dare say that she should take responsibility by leaving the guild. Even though she's new she's already proven to be more a member of this guild than you have. If anything the one who should be held some sort of responsibility is you Laxus! When the guild needed you where the hell were you? Out there with your head so far up your own ass that didn't see it worth your time to come and help!" he shouted. If they didn't have the attention of whoever was in the guild they do now as both men were staring down each other,
"I'd watch what you say, boy." Laxus spit back at him but Soler didn't back down,
"Same goes for you, boy, don't talk down on other members when they have more heart for this guild than you do. No wonder people refer to you as Makarov's grandson. You're still too childish to be your own-" with a thunderous crack Soler was sent flying back into the back wall, topping tables and forcing members to dodge out the way. Mira and Lucy looked on with wide eyes as Laxus stood with his fist coated in his lighting smirking.
"I told you to watch your tongue," he said condensedingly. Mira was furious now looking at him with a glare,
"Laxus you didn't have to do that!" she said. He chuckled at her,
"What? The brat had it coming. He needed to learn his-" with a powerful punch Laxus went flying out of the guild and onto the street. Where Laxus stood was Soler who had entered his break form and was glaring daggers at the man outside. Mira knew where this was going and she didn't want it to,
"Soler please you don't have to stoop to his level." she pleaded. Soler glanced at her his eyes showing a hint of understanding but quickly switched to anger as he looked back at Laxus before teleporting out to him. Mira quickly got from behind the counter and ran outside with Lucy and the rest of the few members of the guild to see Soler and Laxus staring each other down. Mira much like everyone could feel the air getting electrified as the two men's power were starting to surge,
Oh, where is Erza? Mira worried as she watched the oncoming battle. Laxus rubbed his jaw,
"I guess you have gotten a bit stronger since the last time I crushed you. That punch actually hurt a bit." he mocked. Soler tightened his fist,
"Don't worry you'll get plenty enough of an example to see how strong I've gotten." He responded. Laxus chuckled darkly as his lighting began to surge,
"I doubt that." In a flash of lighting, Laxus was right on a Soler. He didn't have time to react to the powerful gut punch that was quickly followed by a wild haymaker that sent him crashing to the ground. Laxus didn't stop as he punched Soler while he was down sending lighting spraying about and causing the ground to quake from the power. Those watching felt the pain on those hits. Mira was holding her hands tightly hating every second of this fight,
"M-Mira," Lucy's quiet voice drew her attention, "Has Soler ever beaten Laxus before?" she asked. Mira shook her head,
"Never." was her only reply which put a pit in the blonde's stomach. Laxus was smiling at how fast he put down the trash and was prepared to gloat but a strong kick to the face kept him from doing just that. Soler while on the ground kicked the man hard enough to force him back and give him time to recover. He stood up looking rough already from just a few hits but he wasn't going to lose this time. Laxus had to be taught a lesson and he was the one to teach it. He retained his break form and stared down the lighting mage who was glaring at him,
"Sorry but I'm not going down that easily." he told him. Laxus only smiled as he let his power surge wildly,
"I'm going to enjoy breaking you." he said back. Soler stood ready and this time he was going to attack first. He dashed right for Laxus with blinding speed and was about to strike him but he stopped in his tracks when a blade appeared right at his neck. He saw the recognizable red hair of Erza and she was giving a death glare to both him and Laxus who also had a sword at his face.
Erza? Both men thought seeing her. The battle went to a standstill as the sight of the Fairy Queen also put the other members at ease that the battle seemed over. Erza looked between both men anger obvious in her face,
"What the hell do you two think you're doing?" her voice was trembling she was so mad but she didn't shout which made it all the more fearful. Soler hadn't been on the receiving end of her anger in a long time and when he is it's usually because he did something stupid, and now was no exception. Neither of the two talked which only added to her fire,
"Well speak!" she shouted. Laxus was the first to recover his arrogant smirk returning to his face,
"Listen girly this is men business so it'd be best to watch you're-" he was silenced by Erza moving her blade closer to his face,
"I have no time to for your bullshit Laxus. If I know anything you were the cause of this because you know of how to tick Soler off," she then turned to Soler, "And I expected better of you to ignore his taunts but look at where this has gotten. When I was returning and saw this I could tell just from the glares you both were given that this is no friendly bout and from how powerful those attacks were I was right."
"But-" Erza pressed her blade further near Soler's neck,
"I don't want to hear anything from you either!" she shouted. This was by far the most upset Soler has ever seen Erza and it was slightly scary. He didn't respond but merely backed down by leaving his Break form with his head held low. Laxus just stared at Erza's challenging glare but even he backed down and let his lighting settle. With the fight, no defused everyone had calmed and was thankful that Erza came back when she did. She lowered her swords and sighed looking at the two,
"I can't believe you idiots would let a disagreement get this far. Nevertheless, now that it's over we're going to wait until Master returns to give you both a right punishment." she said sounding like a mother scolding two toddlers. Soler was accepting his actions and Laxus seemed like he was but his face was expressionless but to those paying close enough attention a sinister glint was in those eyes. The moment Erza put away her weapons and Soler's guard was at his lowest Laxus made his move.
In a second Laxus closed the gap and with force, he gutted Soler hard enough to take him off the ground. Soler's face spoke pain but he couldn't speak because of the hit and with the sudden lack of oxygen he passed out. Laxus wasn't done with Soler as he grabbed him by his collar and launched the teen towards the distant forest outside of the city. He laughed maniacally while the others were too shocked to speak. Erza regained her composure quickly and drew a blade back at him this time poised to attack in fury.
"Laxus!" the man dodged the hate-filled swing easily,
"Sorry, Erza but like I said this is mans business and you're just getting int the way. But Don't worry I'll be sure to crush your little boyfriend without remorse if it makes you feel any better!" he laughed again. Erza was ready to strike him but in a flash of lighting the man was gone. Erza stood there trembling in rage at the lighting mage but she was also feeling concerned for Soler. She knew that he would push himself to his limits and with the other forms he has and how dangerous they can be on his body… She gripped her swords even tighter,
"Erza." she looked to see Mira and Lucy behind her each with equally worried expressions.
"Do we go after them?" Lucy asked feeling lost. Erza shook her head,
"No, we'll have to wait until Master returns. Only he could put a stop to those two." she responded. The pit in Mira's stomach only deepened knowing what that meant.
Soler slowly awakened to the sound of rushing wind. It took him another full second to snap out of his daze to see he was flying through the air with the ground rapidly approaching. He went into action and flipped himself to a skydive to try and slow his descent as much as possible. To take as little damage as possible he was going to have to time his teleport at the right moment. He was readying his move but he felt his neck hairs stick up and in flash, Laxus was smiling wickedly at him,
"Need a lift down!" the mage grabbed Soler by his face and charging his throw with lighting launched him into the ground. He crashed with a boom, creating a small crater clearing a bit of the forest. Laxus landed out of the impact zone and walked over to the downed teen. Soler in question was in a massive amount of pain. He struggled to stay awake let alone move. Laxus made it to the down teen and grinned witnessing the damage he caused. Soler's body was charred from his attacks and his jacket was in tatters exposing even more of his injuries. Laxus chuckled and picked him up by the remains of his jacket. Steam was coming off of his body as his head was slumped over,
"Aww come one. Don't tell me that this is all you can handle." he boasted. Soler didn't respond as he stayed lifeless in his grasp. Laxus only sighed,
"I expected a lot more out of-" His sentence was cut short by Soler who headbutted him hard. Laxus yelped and dropped him holding his face. He took his hand away to see some blood and his temper rose. But his temper halted when he felt energy rising and he looked over to see Soler was slowly standing back up as his power was beginning to run wild. Laxus watched as his power was overflowing out of him as he was releasing all of it at once causing him to be covered by it. But when Soler opened his eyes they were blazing white with energy his pupils not even visible anymore. Laxus looked at this form as its green glow and dangerous flowing energy did look intimidating. Well to a lesser mage but to him it brought on a smile as he was readying himself now,
"Alright now this is what I've been waiting for!" he shouted. Soler didn't respond back but a smirk grew on his face now too as he crouched down onto all fours much like a wild beast crossing his arms inf front of him poised. Without waiting Soler leaped at Laxus his form leaving a trail behind him as he moved. Laxus was ready as he dodged the attack with a flash and was right back ready to strike but without Soler even looking at him he ducked out of the way of the attack. He quickly flipped around and uppercuted Laxus but he wasn't done as he used the punch to flip him headfirst into the ground. Laxus looked through a strained eye at the now wildly smiling Soler,
He's gotten faster and stronger. He thought before going into his lighting form again. Laxus bounced around him quickly and went in for another attack but Soler was ready again and blocked the attack with his own. Their two powers streaming from then causing damage to the area around them. Laxus was going to back off but Soler wasn't going to let him get away and bolted right after him. The moment Laxus went back into form Soler was there and he dropped kicked him in his face sending him crashing through the forest. Laxus recovered and was going to retaliate but the teen was still on him with that same smile and let loose a barrage of punches.
The strikes were hitting him at blinding speed effectively stunning the mage until it was over and once then Soler kicked him again racing him through the forest again. Laxus recovered mid-flight and willed lighting to strike Soler. The teen began his dance to dodge the strikes by hopping from off trees to the ground and all around him while getting closer to Laxus. Laxus watched his movements and was stunned to see his speed had increased more as he was blitzing from place to place dodging the blinding strikes. He watched Soler neared and he readied to strike him down since his focus was on the lightning strikes. But once he was at range he swung down but Soler smoothly twirled out of the way of the attack, flipping himself then bouncing off a tree behind him to drop kick Laxus in the back again, sending him into the dirt. The strikes of lighting stopped once the attack landed but Soler proceeded to stomp down on Laxus's head while he was down and flipped away from him landing on a branch. Soler snickered at the down man,
"Aww I was expecting more out of you." he mocked. Soler stopped his snicking when he felt the ground began to rumble and felt the electricity in the air. He watched as the ground literally exploded around Laxus as he heard the man roar. Lighting was pouring out around him and was striking everything and anything destroying even more of the forest. Soler had to cover his eyes from the brightness and backed off to a different branch as the tree he was on got destroyed seconds after he jumped off. He watched and waited for the lighting to calm down. After a few more moments it eased and in the new crater stood a shirtless Laxus whose body was swollen now and his muscles flexed. Soler's eyes widened as he felt his energy,
"He's a-" Laxus took in a big breath and then he roared,
LIGHTNING DRAGON'S ROAR! And a massive stream of lightning shot from his mouth. The strike was faster than any attack previous as Soler was barely able to get out of the way. He looked to see that the direction of the blast had disintegrated a line through the forest. Even though he was powered up feeling the power off of that roar made him frightened slightly. Laxus's eyes were pulsing with electricity as he glared at him,
"Don't look down on me trash!" the man in a literal flash closed the great distance between them and grabbed Soler by the face and crashed him into the ground then ran him through the ground. He picked up Soler and threw him through the several trees with tremendous force but in another flash, he was right on him and slammed him into the ground with tremendous force. Soler was almost knocked breathless by it but he couldn't fall now so he teleported out of Laxus grasp. Gaining some space he launched a power punch at Laxus who had resided his own lighting covered punch,
LIGHTNING DRAGON'S IRON FIST! The two attacks met and there was a brief struggle for supremacy before Laxus's attack broke through and he hit Soler in the face knocking him back. Soler went soaring but he recovered and flipped himself to land. Soler took a moment to ease but he felt Laxus gathering energy and he looked up to see both his fist clenched and pointed at him. His eyes widened in horror knowing the attack and in the next moment he launched it,
RAGING BOLT! Soler felt the area around him get electrified and the next moment the area he was standing in was ravaged in lighting as a massive lighting bolt encased the area in blinding light which destroyed whatever it touched. Soler took the full brunt of the attack and he knew that he opened his mouth to scream off the pain but nothing came out. The attack lasted only a few seconds but once it was over he was thankful he had gone into this form or else he'd be dead, but his jacket was practically nonexistent while his pants were faring any better though still covering him. He was still covered in his energy though it had lessened a lot from when the battle began. He was breathing heavily and his body was effectively covered in cuts, bruises, and char marks.
"Damn that hurt." he groaned. Laxus was glaring at Soler his expression solemn,
"I could have sworn that attack would have finished you. Whatever this one will." he raised his hands so they looked like he was holding a ball but instead he was gathering a mass amount of the lighting. Soler knew what was coming and tried to move but some of Laxus's lighting was still coursing through him slowing his movement. He watched as the lighting gathered formed into a massive spear. Soler knew he couldn't dodge it so he quickly formed a spear not liking the idea he's having. Once Laxus's attack was formed he threw it at Soler without delay,
LIGHTNING DRAGON'S HEAVENWARD HALBERD! The lighting spear charged at Soler cutting through anything in its way. Soler lifted up his spear to meet the attack and once they clashed he was put into the fight of his life. The halberd was crashing into Soler's spear as the mage was doing his best to deflect the attack, sweat quickly forming from the struggle.
But in his desperation, an idea came to Soler. A very stupid and possibly deadly one but an idea nevertheless. Soler decided to gamble and instead of blocking the attack, he'd try to take in the energy since the two attacks were similar on a fundamental level. He focused to try and take the lightning spells' power and harness it into his spear. Soler began to feel the pull of energy as it was being taken into his spear and he watched the lighting spear was getting smaller while his spear was growing and getting brighter. A few heartbeats later, the halberd power was taken into his own spear and now Soler was struggling to keep the form.
Come on why won't it stay! If I can't get this it'll explode and that's it for me! He continued to struggle but a memory flashed in his mind. He was younger and was training with Erza. She had him form his energy into swords and other weapons to practice using it. That's when a better idea came to him,
Instead of trying to keep it in a spear shape I just need to keep it contained. Let the energy surge and only hold it. He focused and let go of the shape of the spear and focus on just holding the energy. Soon enough Soler was holding what looked like a bolt of lightning in his hand and power coming off of it felt like one. Laxus looked appalled at what happened and then it turned into rage,
"Why don't you go down!" Laxus began to charge his energy again for an even more powerful roar. Soler readied also and kept his bolt ready to throw. The two powerful attacks were causing the trees to shake violently and any creature in the vicinity scurried away in fear of the outcome of the clash. Then at once, both threw their attacks,
RAGING TEMPEST!
LIGHTNING DRAGON'S ROAR! The two attacks clashed and a bright light silently emitted from the clash which quickly expanded and consumed both men.
Erza was pacing quickly back and forth in front of the guild with a worried Lucy and Mira sitting and watching her. Since Laxus threw Soler and left the other members went back inside leaving the three of them waiting for Master to return. Erza's constant pacing didn't help ease them any but in this situation, I doubt anything really would. After what felt like an eternity the three began to hear voices approaching the guild. Erza stopped her pacing to look and see not just Master but Natsu, Happy, and Gray all walking back together. Natsu and Gray were bickering about something while Makarov looked tired of hearing them bicker.
"I keep telling you Gray I could've totally handled that last part without you showing up." Natsu declared. The ice wizard merely sighed,
"From where I was it looked like you needed the help. I didn't have to help you ya know so the least you could do is stop griping and say thanks." he responded. Natsu only fired up even more,
"Like hell, I will! I didn't need the help." he protested. Happy hovered over by the fire wizard,
"Natsu pal you were in a sticky situation, back there." he said. Natsu looked dejectedly at Happy,
"Not you too little buddy." the three men plus cat walked up to the guild and Makarov let out a sigh of relief finally being back. But he couldn't ease as the moment he walked up Erza, Lucy and Mira ran up to him with concerning faces. Even the other three stopped their talking at the sight of the three women,
"What's going on guys?" Natsu asked. Erza shook her head looking right at Master with a serious expression,
"Master you have to hurry and stop Soler and Laxus!" she said which made all of them tense up. Makarov looked at her with a questioning look,
"What have they gotten into?" Before she could continue they all felt a massive wave of magic in the air. Then all of them looked in the direction of the forest to witness a large dome of white light-emitting high above the tree lining. They watched in silent awe as even from miles away the light was the large source of magic. Then in a heartbeat did it rupture a tremendous quake follow that rumbled across the entire city. It was strong enough that it made buildings' foundations creak and groan and anything hanging loose fall. The wizards all took a moment to steady themselves as they waited the next few seconds for the shaking to stop. Once it settled they all looked back to where the light came from and in its place was a swirling plume of dust and debris that easily reached high into the sky. Once the shock settled and everything calmed everyone's senses came back to them,
"What the hell was that?" Natsu shouted. Without a word, Makarov began his way to where the dust plume was with a quickened pace and a heavy heart.
Soler thought that blocking Phantoms attack was one of the most painful things he's experienced but this, was by far one of the most intense pains he's ever felt. His entire body felt numb as electricity was coursing through him giving him a constant reminder of how much damage that last attack did. He slowly opened his eyes and with a groan, he began to move to survey the damage. With his muscles burning and bones aching he got himself up and when he looked around he thought he was in a completely different place.
There was no forest for at least over half a mile out and anything within that half-mile got effectively erased from the attacks. He fully sat up and was just breathing hard trying to gain his composure again. He didn't know how he survived that attack but man did he thank whoever was watching over him. That's when he heard footsteps walking from behind him and for a moment he thought it was Laxus but they were too small to be his. The steps stopped next to him and he looked to see Master Makarov standing and looking at him. The Master took in all the damage Soler had taken since his body was effectively covered in injuries and dirt. He sighed but took a look around the area,
"I'm not going to ask what happened. Laxus was involved and since I know you wouldn't willingly fight another member to this degree I figure he is the cause." the old guild Master took a look around and spotted a tuft of blonde hair and with his magic grew his arm to reach over and grab the down mage. Laxus was in as bad condition as Soler but he was effectively unconscious. Makarov sighed and shook his head,
"What am I going to do with you." he said to himself. Soler felt for him in a way. He might not like Laxus but he didn't use to be like this which is what's so troubling. He used to see Laxus as his rival at a point and a part of him still does but he can't stand what he is now. Just a big jerk.
"So do you think you can move on your own?" Makarov asked. Soler took a few moments to move his legs and they lit ablaze with the stinging numbness of his muscles mixed in with the aching of his bones. It took him a minute but he slowly stood and struggled to just stay standing.
"I should be fine. The numbness hopefully should wear away by tomorrow but once it does I'm really going to be out of commission," he said. Master merely nodded,
"This is the after effect of some attack I'm guessing?"
"Yeah. It's this form I learned that unleashes almost all my power in one go. I get major boosts but besides it draining me quicker than anything else I get this stinging numbness all over my body." he explained as he examined himself. It was then that he saw that his right hand was completely black.
"I was going to ask about that next." Makarov said. Soler moved the hand and was glad it still had feeling even if it was the numbness. He wiped at it with his other hand and wasn't shocked to see that the blackness was his burnt skin.
"Damn that last attack did all this huh? Well, this is the aftermath of a powerful attack I let loose on Laxus. He fired off a lighting spear thing and I used my own spear to absorb and redirect it back at him." he explained. The Master seemed quite impressed that was able to pull something like that off.
"Impressive. Especially since you don't use any magic of your own,"
"Yeah, I think I was able to do it because we shared similar properties. It's just a guess but it's all I got for now. So we should get back to the guild. I'm sure the others are worried," he said.
"Yes, they are. Though with you're injuries we might take some time to get back." Makarov said beginning to walk. Soler slowly followed each step shooting numbing pain through him. The two continued their way to the guild in silence.
Back at the guild, it was late in the day and almost time to shut down so besides the small group waiting for Masters return the other members had left. They were sitting around the bar still full of worry yet Erza continued to pace her facial expression as serious as ever. Natsu sighed and slumped in his seat feeling defeated,
"I missed one of the greatest fights." he moaned to himself yet again. Gray sighed,
"Dude from what they told us you really think it was a friendly little bout." he said. Natsu shot up,
"Gray you know as well as I do that even though Laxus is a jerk Soler wouldn't let it get that far. I'm sure it was just some argument which led to the fight." he said back. Lucy shook her head,
"Not this time Natsu. Trust me it all felt too serious to be a friendly battle," she responded feeling a shiver down her spine at remembering. Natsu huffed but he still didn't believe either Laxus or Soler would take it too far. The conversations ended when the sound of the door drew their attention. There was a collective gasp as everyone saw Master carrying a beaten and unconscious Laxus with a shirtless and even worse-looking, Soler. His black hand drew everyone's attention as Master walked past them leaving Soler standing in the doorway. Mira was the first to go up to him her heart in pain from seeing the damage. She stood in front of him and took in at how tough of a battle he went through.
"You're so hurt." she whispered. She reached up to touch his face but he winced the moment she grazed his cheek. It made her hesitate but she continued and placed her full hand on his cheek. Her blue eyes were so full of worry that Soler couldn't bring himself to look in them,
"Sorry Mira." was all he could say. Mira shook her head,
"Don't be sorry. Laxus caused all this and you know it." she responded. He sighed and gently placed his hand over hers feeling pain from the action,
"But I let it get this far. I should've ignored it but-"
"You couldn't ignore the things he was saying." the two looked to Erza who much like the others had been quietly watching the scene.
"Mira and Lucy told me what he was saying and I can't blame you for not being able to just let it go. You don't usually let things get under your skin but Laxus trying to blame the Phantom attack on Lucy and suggest she leaves the guild for it. That's low even for him," she said with her fist balling in anger. Soler nodded,
"Exactly." everyone went silent after that the mood in the air in such a mix that would make any sensible person get lost in thought. Well except one,
"What the heck happened to your hand?" Everyone looked to see that the dragon-slayer was no longer sitting and was now over, examining Solers darkened hand.
"It's all black and looks burnt." he said sniffing at his hand. Soler moved it away from Natsu,
"It got like this because of an attack I did. It was so powerful that I guess it charred my hand." he said. Natsu eyes twinkled at hearing that,
"An attack? What attack did you do? I didn't know you could do something so powerful! You gotta show me, man. Come on let's go outside so you can-" a swift chop to the head from Erza stopped his ranting,
"That's enough Natsu. Solers in no condition to be doing any more for today." she sternly told him. That got a few chuckles out of everyone as a sort of normalcy was washing back over the group,
"Well if we're talking about ending the day then I'd best get home. These injuries aren't going to patch themselves up, and it's going to be a decent walk home." Soler said getting ready to leave. But Mira stopped him.
"You're right which is why I'm going with you," she said with a smile. Soler looked at her confused,
"Coming with? Mira, you got to lock up the guild. I can handle it alone." he told her. The same sweet smile quickly turned challenging,
"Silly, Master is here so he can lock things up for me. Besides you're in no shape to complain. Right?" Soler knew that look and knew it wasn't wise to argue especially now.
"Soler, you need to listen to Mira," he looked to see Erza giving him a dangerous look also, "You're in no condition to take care of your injuries so her help would be wise, agreed?" He was starting to sweat now. He would rather challenge Laxus hundreds of times than face the wrath of not one but both of Fairy Tail's S-Class female wizards. Alone they could be terrifying, together they could petrify any Ten Wizard Saint in their tracks with the looks their giving. Soler just nodded with a nervous smile,
"Y-Yeah of course." he responded. The moment he did both ladies lost their scary intent,
"Good now I suggest we all head home for today. It has been a long one." Erza said getting agreements from the others. Everyone filed out the guild and began to disperse to their homes. But Erza was last to leave. She watched as Soler being supported by Mira made their way back to his home and for a reason, she couldn't quite explain. She knew he needed the support but seeing him with Mira just didn't sit right with her. Her mind knew it was the right thing to do but it didn't stop her heart from telling her it was wrong.
And this one is donezo. I hope I handled the action well enough, I've been waiting to write this one for a while, to be honest. To be honest with what's coming up next our boy is in for some more emotional stuff and I can't wait. Also, I've been contemplating on how I want to handle the tower of heaven. I was thinking of Soler either showing up near the end or maybe being with the group when they went after Erza. I don't know, tell me what you think, and like always a review is great for letting me know how I'm doing and you guys are feeling about the story! Anyway, this is Solerwolf...later.