Natsu laid back on the stage, legs dangling off the ledge as he played with his with the fire dancing on his fingertips. He was sitting incredibly close to Lucy's body, just in case Laxus came back to start any trouble again. Just like he thought, a projection appeared behind him. In the shape of a skull, then transformed into Laxus. Natsu stood up and glared at the hologram.
"You give up old man? More than half your guild has been defeated. And not one of us has even been wounded. You have an hour left in the games. Give up!" Laxus cackled maniacally. Makarov looked down at floor in thought. Could he really just give up the guild? No! He had faith in Erza.
"We set Erza free, Laxus. She's after Evergreen as we speak. Once she breaks the spell, you'll have no leverage!" Laxus's face turned sour at the information given to him. And as if on cue, the women turned to stone, broke free.
"Dammit Evergreen! Dumb bitch cracked." Laxus disappeared, leaving Makarov to celebrate his win. Natsu twisted his body around, smiling when he saw Lucy standing there in confusion. Her hand on her head.
"Lucy!" The pyro yelled in excitement, crushing the blonde to his body. She froze in surprise and watched as Natsu checked over her body for any wounds. "That damn Laxus shot a lightning bolt next to you, I thought for sure he cracked you somewhere. I'm happy he didn't though-" She continued to listen to his ranting about her safety with a smile on her face. She couldn't help herself! He was cute when he was worried.
"Natsu...thanks for worrying about me. It means a lot." Realizing just how much attention he was attracting, he let go of the blonde and rubbed the back of his head.
"Y-Yeah, no problem." 'No problem?! Smooth, Natsu, smooth.' He thought with an embarrassed frown. Gajeel snickered at him, prompting Natsu to glare at him pretty harshly. The other girls giggled to themselves, before Levy spoke up. She looked to the others while she slipped on her speed reading glasses.
"This is entertaining and all, but we got to get out of here." They all nodded, running outside on the balcony. There were huge balls of light just surrounding the entire area of Magnolia.
"This must be Laxus's doing..." Mira said. For some reason, Lucy had been getting a feeling that she was affected by him more than any other guild mate. Makarov, looking at the sight, became angry. He couldn't take it anymore. He had to get out there and teach Laxus a lesson himself.
He grew bigger and bigger, the others looking at him in astonishment. Though he stopped, becoming very still. His body then got smaller and smaller. He fell to the ground, unmoved. "Master Makarov!" Levy yelled, concerned for her guild master. She brought him up to her and listened into his heart. "Its faint, but he's still alive. All this stress must of given him some kind of heart attack. We need Miss Porlyusica right now." Levy bit her lip. Lucy hummed and looked around.
She would have Natsu do it, but he was trapped. She looked to the right, seeing a particularly large man behind a small pole. She pointed at him. "Reedus, right? You need to leave and find Miss Porlyusica. She can help Master Makarov. The artist's lip quivered, but he nodded.
"Oui." He ran out the guild and hopefully out of town. Meanwhile, Mira brought him to the infirmary and try to help him while waiting for Miss Porlyusica. Bisca then had a gun pop out of her hands, she aimed it up at one of the lightning spears. With one shot, it was hit.
"Yeah!" The cowgirl cheered. But it was stopped short when electricity shot throughout her body. She screamed before falling to the ground, unconscious.
"I should of known it wouldn't be that easy!" Lucy moaned, running to Bisca and picking her up. "Will she be okay?" The blonde asked Levy. Levy gave the shooter and worried look, but she nodded.
"Yeah, she should recover. Here, Juvia, can you take her to the infirmary?" The blue haired woman nodded and took Bisca from Lucy and ran her to the infirmary as well. Everyone went inside and sat around while Levy worked on a way to get the dragon slayers out. The other women left quickly to join the fight. Leaving Gajeel, Lucy, Natsu, and Levy alone in the main entrance.
"So what you're saying is that no dragon slayer can leave this guildhall?" Lucy said with a cross of her legs. Natsu hummed in annoyance. She stood up and walked to the barrier. She stretched her hand out to reach passed the guild door, but her arm stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened and she pushed harder on the barrier. "You cannot be serious! What if the fights end before we get out there or we lose? And what about Marie and Happy? They just disappeared!"
"We're right here, y'know?" A feminine voice stated. Lucy sighed in relief seeing Happy and Marie just fine. They were just hiding under a table, not wanting to be caught up in the commotion. Lucy rolled her eyes at that. Of course that would be their reason.
Gajeel took a seat by Levy as she read through tons of books and wrote down information. "Man this doesn't make sense...but wait!" She looked to Gajeel for a moment. "If I carry the M and N instead of the I, then it should make more sense to me. But what about the B?" She muttered helplessly to herself. Gajeel blinked at her and shook his head.
"We're speakin' the same language, but I still can't understand a word of what you're saying." She ignored his words and stared deeply into her notebook. Only to gasp.
"I have it!" She ran up to the guild doors and waved two fingers at the runes. And just like that, they disappeared, leaving the entrance wide open for the dragon slayers. Natsu and Lucy gave each other a smirk. Even Gajeel joining in with them. All at once, they all ran out in Laxus's direction. But in the distance, a giant explosion and a bunch of magic energy appeared.
"Mira!?" Lucy yelled. Gajeel and Natsu nodded at this. It was demonic and a large blast of magic. Lucy hoped for her safety. Just then, the smell of Lightning filled their noses. They looked to each other and ran to the source. At the Cathedral Church. Once they made it in, they ran into Erza.
She was wearing her lightning empress armor and glaring at Laxus who only smirked at her "Stand back you guys..." Lucy huffed and grabbed Erza's shoulder.
"No! We'll take him Erza! You go blast those lighting balls!" Lucy ordered. It wasn't as if she thought Erza would get in the way, but this battle was between them. He was the one that affected them the most after all. Building up frustration, she wanted to lightning mage to herself. Erza saw this and nodded, lowering her staff and changing into her regular attire.
"Alright. Stay safe."
"Don't die on us." Natsu muttered.
"After saving me once, I wouldn't ever give up my life again." He smirked at her response and turned back to Laxus. Gajeel rolled his eyes at the scene he witness and cranked his neck down to Lucy and Natsu.
"You guys gonna stop being sappy now? Can we do this then?" Lucy rolled her eyes and stepped a foot back.
"Shut up Gajeel." Lucy took a deep breath, then charged at Laxus. Gajeel and Natsu followed after. Lucy tried to get a kick in, but Laxus grabbed her leg and swung her back. Gajeel used that distraction to use his iron club against his face. The only thing it really did was turn his face slightly.
There were no scratches. At awe from it, Gajeel was left wide open. Laxus laughed and punched him so far he hit a wall by the entrance. "Fire dragon roar!" Natsu chanted, fire escaping from his mouth and directing hitting Laxus. Once the fire dissipated, it was shown that Laxus was still smiling without a scratch.
"Damn...I used most everything i had agaisnt him and he still isn't down. I mean, you would think three dragon slayers would be enough." Hearing this, Laxus's smile disappeared and was replaced with a scowl.
"You really believe that you three could ever be close to my level? I'm the most powerful man in the guild, you three combined don't even hold a candle to me!" He became so angry, that even his body was beginning to change. He became taller and buffer, electricity surrounding his mouth. "Lightning...dragon..."
"He's a dragon slayer too!?" They all gasped.
"Roar!" Each dragon slayer dodged his attack, falling to the ground. Lucy groaned as she hit her head. Her eyes widened, looking around for Gajeel and Natsu. She couldn't see them through all the dust. Her ears then picked up a noise above her. The Cathedral's ceiling was coming down. Right towards her.
She gasped and held her arms up to protect herself. The air was then knocked out of her while she was moved out of the way. Two sets of arms were around her. Looking around, she saw locks of long black hair and spiked head of pink. They had just saved her.
"Damn bunny girl...thought you would be slicker than that." Gajeel chuckled as he stood up. But Lucy could barely hear him through her inner turmoil. Natsu grabbed her arm and picked her up. Setting her up straight when she swayed. She blew a tight breath of air and gave Laxus a hard look.
"Thanks you guys. I owe you."
"No problem, blondie. Just don't get yourself killed." Nodding, she looked to Natsu. He had been quiet this whole time. But that was expected. Talking during a battle was probably stupid. Laxus was looking a bit worn out from his attack but he was nowhere near their exhaustion.
But he shot at them anyway. Lightning darted their way, but they all dodged and ran to him, finally punching him at once in his shock. He slid back and roared. Then, everyone froze at tiny feet making their way at the church. "Laxus!" Lucy turned around at the voice. It was Levy!
"Get out of here, Levy! It's dangerous!" Lucy shouted. Levy paid no mind. Laxus looked at her expectantly.
"Master Makarov, he's not looking too good...we have Miss Porlyusica trying to help him but there isn't much that can be done. Please stop this fighting and see him once last time, I'm begging you!" Laxus stood in place for a moment, frozen in his spot. Before he belted out the loudest laugh anyone has ever heard. Levy gasped, tears coming to her eyes.
"Finally! The old man's gonna croak, which means I'll actually get to become guild master after all!" Natsu and Lucy glared at Laxus with hatred whilst Gajeel turned back to Levy with a scowl.
"Get out of here shrimp, you'll just be in the way!" Levy nodded, leaving the scene. She couldn't believe someone could be so heartless! Mirajane was the one to convince her Laxus still had a heart. Levy should of kept her skepticism, because all she was now was disappointed.
"Laxus! You'll pay for making Levy cry! For the guild and for Master Makarov, we will defeat you!" Natsu screamed. He charged at the blond and kicked him in the chest, flinging Laxus back through the church. From behind, Lucy and Gajeel appeared and punched the back of his head. Thought Laxus wasn't done.
"You're all like damn flies. Die!" He grabbed Gajeel and Lucy and slammed them down on the ground. He blasted through the ceiling and stood tall on the top of the Cathedral. Natsu growled and shot up to him, punching him under the jaw from below. Laxus grunted and slid backwards, taking off some of the roof as he slid. Laxus exploded with power and shot it at Natsu, who was nowhere near prepared.
The attack the was redirected down on the ground. Natsu shakingly turned his head to Gajeel, who had morphed his arm into his iron club. He gritted his teeth at the pain he felt as Laxus's lighting hit his make-shift lighting rod. Lucy put a hand on Gajeel's back when he leaned over to out his hands in his knees. She rubbed soothing ministrations that was actually helping the gruff dragon slayer.
"Get 'em, Salamander." Natsu grinned at this. He unleashed the rest of his strength and pummeled Laxus intonthe Cathedral.
"Laxus, it's over for you!" Natsu shouted. "Fire dragon: Iron Fist!" His flame coated hand made contact with Laxus's already beaten face once more. When he jumped back, his eyes widened as Laxus stood up.
"I'm done." Emense power started from his feet and rose to head. He had his hands placed in front of them, a couple inches from a clap. "I'm done with this puny guild and its puny members. Using Fairy Law, I'll destroy you all and make a new guild!"
"Laxus no!" But it was too late. His hands touched and a yellow beam of light spread all over the town of Magnolia. Natsu tried to seal himself away from the light, although it didn't do much. Once the beam of light faded, Natsu opened an eye. He wasn't dead.
"What the hell!? Why aren't you ashes!?"
"Because you don't see Magnolia or Fairy Tail as your enemy." A new voice intervened. Natsu watched as Freed came walking in, arm covering a wound. He was just as beaten and had the smell of demon and surprisingly, Mirajane. She must of been the one that beat him.
"What the hell are you talking about, Freed. You know better than anyone that I hate this stinkin guild."
"Then why hadn't the spell worked? I doubt you were incapable of completely the spell...which means you don't hate anyone here. Not really." Laxus shook as the realization set in. So all that talk...was for nothing? He didn't hate them after all? He guessed that was true, all he wanted was for the guild to become strong. So no one would mock them anymore.
"Dammit..." Laxus fell to the ground, completely knocked out. Natsu only grinned.
He knew Laxus wasn't all that bad.
...
Lucy, Gajeel, and Natsu brooded silently on a bench at the guild. A week had gone by since what had happened, though Laxus hadn't showed up. Makarov, after recovering, had everyone search relentlessly for the mage, but Freed told the Master to wait at least a week. In the meantime, the three dragon slayers were covered head to toe in bandages. Lucy had a sprained ankle even.
"This bites." Lucy scoffed while Gajeel and Natsu argued next to her. How they did, she had no idea. Natsu's mouth was even covered, she didn't even know how Gajeel could understand a word he was saying. She perked up when Laxus finally showed his face. Every injured person in the guild glared at him, Erza even raising her sword. He held up his hand.
"I'm not here to fight. I just want to talk to the old fart." He walked straight passed everyone. Lucy would get up and talk to him, but she was too tired to even keep her eyes open. Natsu had said something, but no one understood him anyway. Laxus gave the fire dragon slayer a wave and went straight to the infirmary. Lucy smiled.
The next day, Makarov informed the guild that Laxus was kicked out. Lucy sat there in a furious fluster. "He didn't even do anything bad!" She yelled.
"Yeah come on!" Natsu chimed in. Though Makarov ignored this and went back to his office. Lucy narrowed her eyes when she saw tears staining his face. It really must of been hard to kick out his own grandson, though he did attempt to kill everyone. Even if he didn't mean it. Unfortunately, she understood.
She put a hand on Natsu's shoulder and shook her head. He sighed and crossed his arms. Trying to keep Laxus off their minds, everyone prepared for the Fantasia parade. They were still part of the parade, but it was just doing a few tricks with fire and Lucy danced on a big float with Levy and Bisca. In all, everyone had a good time. And luckily, The Thunder Legion was still allowed to stay in the guild. Even though they did help Laxus.
Lucy collapsed on her bed and rubbed the back of her bandaged head. Natsu was laying on the floor next to her, totally beat. She stared down at him with a small smile on her face
"Master talked to me today and decided me, you, Happy, Erza, Gray, and Marie are going to defeat this group called the Oracion Seis. Other guilds have also joined to help defeat them such as Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, and Cait Shelter." She finished in one long breath. Natsu made a small grunt.
"Cait shelter? Never heard of it."
"Me either. But Master said it was a pretty strong guild I guess. Wonder who we'll meet," Lucy inquired. Her eyelids began to droop out of nowhere. "I bet it'll be..." she fell asleep. Natsu gazed up at her from his spot on the floor and rolled his eyes at her passed out form.
"Goodnight to you too, Lucy."
Morning
"Help me Mavis..." Lucy whined while holding her stomach. Natsu held his mouth with his hand while the wagon made a particularly big bump. "Why did we take a wagon of all things." Lucy whined. She out her head between her knees and felt the tears sting the corner of her eyes. She was so sick.
"This is the only way so stop complaining." Erza commanded. Lucy bit her lip and shut up. But Natsu continued to moan in pain until they reached their stop. Lucy and Natsu immediately jumped out of the wagon and relished in the feeling of relief. Marie and Happy rolled their eyes and pushed them inside the meeting building.
It seemed there was a guild that already arrived. A man slid down a railing and ran up to Erza. "Erza-chan," this man said as he...he smelled her? Erza backed away from the short, ugly man, and hid behind Lucy. "Your parfum is always so nice."
"I-Ichiya...stay away from me!" Three other man from Blue Pegasus jumped out and surrounded both Erza and Lucy.
"You two are so beautiful! Would you like to go onna date?" One man smiled. Another looked away with a small glare. But Lucy knew it was all an act.
"Why must you be so beautiful...its annoying. But it's making me fall for you more..." Lucy's eye twitched.
"Can I call you big sister, you're just so pretty." The last said. Just as she was going to politely tell them off, an arm wrapped itself around her waist. She immediately figured out who it was by smell. Natsu glared at the three men and watched the walk off to give Erza their full attention. He scoffed.
"How annoying." Lucy couldn't stop herself from giggling. He was obviously jealous, but she didn't think he realized. After a few seconds, she began to feel flustered. He still hadn't let go of her. Covering her face with her hands, she recoiled in embarrassment. She was sure people were staring now.
But their eyes were distracted when the doors opened again. It was Lamia Scale. It consisted of the wizard saint Jura, Lyon, Toby, Sherry and Yuka. They were all from Galuna Island. Lucy was relieved that they all joined a guild. Though Sherry just gave Lucy a playful glare. Lyon and Gray chatted a bit before the doors opened again to reveal a small girl at the age of twelve, along with her white cat. Happy seemed to fall head over heels for this new cat, but Marie looked skeptical and crossed her tiny arms.
"Wow..." Happy said. Marie rolled her eyes.
"H-Hi I'm Wendy Marvell...I am younger than all of you and I'm not very helpful, but I have healing magic and I can boost magic power so please don't send me back! I would be so embarrassed if you did that!"
"Have a little back bone, child!" Her cat scolded her. She sounded exactly like Marie did when Lucy was younger. Although it was for the opposite reason. Lucy really wasn't a good child. She giggled at the thought.
"When did you get here Charle?" Wendy said.
"I've been here the whole time!"
"What magic do you use?" Erza stepped forward and asked the small girl. Wendy gave Erza a shy smile.
"I'm a sky dragon slayer." Everyone's eyes turned to Natsu and Lucy. Wendy wrung her hands together and looked at the ground. "Did I say something wrong!?" She squeaked.
"No...were all just a bit surprised is all. You know, we have two other dragon slayers here along with you." Wendy smiled at Ezra's words.
"Who?!" They all pointed to Lucy and Natsu. Natsu had let Lucy go finally and allowed the small girl to run over and shake their hands.
"Its so nice to meet someone like me!" Natsu gave Lucy a sideways glance as Wendy shook the blonde's hand.
"You're so adorable! This is Natsu and i'm Lucy." Lucy gushed. Wendy blushed and grabbed the ends of her dress.
"T-Thank you, Lucy-san."