Happy Friday!

I've probably mentioned in other stories, Mazeverse is sort of my sandbox universe. It's a bunch of what-ifs and theories that got all strung together. One of the ideas is that Laxus and Mira are exes. Edgar (the other half of R011ingThunder) was the one who brought it up, but I was like, 'Nope, I don't think so.' But when I rewatched the anime, I started to pick up on some of the little interactions between the two, especially during the first part of the series. (Remember, Mazeverse was plotted just as I was finishing the Tenrou Island arc.) I was shocked, since they do seem a little like exes! And it made me start to wonder. That was where my head was when I plotted Mazeverse and worked out how this universe's Mira and Laxus should act. Can't Catch Lightning is going to reference canon a lot, while we try to reinterpret the events that were given. It's all very conspiracy theory. XD

This week, we reference two major canon events.

- K. Chandler

A dragon lacrima?

"I think you'd be a match," Ivan was saying.

Laxus couldn't believe what his father was suggesting. His father had asked to meet him at the rear entrance of a run-down clinic in a sketchy area at the outskirts of Magnolia. There, Pops had calmly explained the experiment that he and his associates were doing.

"That's… illegal," said Laxus, frowning. "It sounds risky and no one's ever done it before, right?" He leaned against the brick. Nothing about this sounded like a good idea.

"Use your head, boy," scolded Ivan. "Nothing ever improved without someone to push the limits."

Laxus crossed his arms over his chest, almost defensively. He couldn't imagine having something implanted inside of him. "You're talking about experimenting on a living person… On me."

"I'm talking about making you stronger," said Ivan. "Surely you wouldn't want to stay as you are, would you?"

"I don't know…" said Laxus calmly, though he was bristling on the inside. He had gotten plenty strong on his own, thank you very much. He could give any of those other losers a run for their money.

"Don't let fear get the best of you, Laxus. The surgery is perfectly safe," he assured him. "We wouldn't have moved on to the human experimentation phase if we didn't think we were ready."

"I'm going to have to think about this one."

"Don't take too long," said Ivan. "There are plenty of other people who would love to become Dragon-Slayers."

Laxus remembered rolling his eyes as he walked away from that conversation. He'd never let anyone do something like that to him. He'd have to be crazy to want to become a Dragon-Slayer.

But a week later, he was rethinking that sentiment.

Laxus remembered walking into the guild that day, his spirits high. He had been so excited for Mira to come back from her latest S-Class quest. It was a simple job, so she had brought Elfman and Lisanna along.

But the sight that greeted him when he stepped into the guild hall made his stomach drop.

Elfman had his knees hugged to his chest, wailing in grief. Mira and Lisanna were nowhere to be found.

The rest of the guild had gathered around him, forming a loose semicircle around the inconsolable boy. Laxus elbowed his way through the crowd, pushing the other kids out of the way so he could see.

"It isn't your fault," Erza was saying. "It was an accident."

"No. It's all my fault!" Elfman choked. "I lost control. I knew I shouldn't have, but I did it anyways. It's all my fault..."

Fear clenched cold fingers around Laxus' lungs, making him strain for air.

"What happened?" demanded Laxus breathlessly. "Where's Mira?" His heart drummed in the back of his throat.

Elfman had always been a sensitive boy, but he couldn't be crying like that unless…

Shaking her head, Erza shot Laxus a sharp look to silence him.

"I killed her…" Elfman said, his voice trembling. He stared down at his shaking hands. "I… I killed my sister!" he howled, starting to sob again.

Mirajane? No…

Laxus barely registered the gasp from Levy and the snarl from Natsu as his knees folded. He felt the jolt as he hit the hardwood floor.

Mira was… gone? Laxus felt sick to his stomach.

That couldn't be right. Mira couldn't be dead. He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't.

Natsu's face twisted in rage. "You what?" he growled, hands tightening into fists.

"Back off, man," barked Gray, stepping between Natsu and Elfman in an almost protective manner.

"He just said he killed her!" shouted Natsu, pointing an accusing finger at Elfman. "Lisanna's never coming back! And it's all because of him!"

Lisanna? And not Mirajane?

Dizzy, Laxus drew a shuddering breath. "What about Mirajane?" he whispered.

"Can't you see he's going through enough without you making it worse?" Gray snarled at Natsu, tightening his hold on Natsu to keep him from lashing out. "Stop it! Just stop."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," came Elfman's broken whisper. "Lisanna, I'm so sorry…"

Lisanna and not Mira. Lisanna. Not Mira.

"It isn't his fault," declared Erza, glaring at Natsu. Then she turned back to Elfman, putting a surprisingly gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault, okay? It's not. It was an accident."

"And if you're not ready to talk about it, then you don't have to," added Gray, a ghost of emotion flickering in his eyes. "But when you're ready, we're all here."

Elfman nodded, burying his face into his elbow.

"What about Mira?" asked Laxus again. "Is she okay? Was she hurt?"

This time, Levy heard him. "Just a broken arm, I think. But she was kind of a mess…"

Laxus sagged in relief. Mira was alive.

"Where is she?" demanded Laxus.

"She went home. Said she couldn't be around other people right now."

"And you just let her go?" asked Laxus, scowling.

Levy shook her head. "Not exactly. Cana went with her. She was a mess and Cana didn't think she should be by herself… Hey, where're you going?" she called after him.

Laxus didn't answer. He'd staggered to his feet, lurching out of the guild hall and out into the street.

He couldn't believe it.

Mira was alive!

Little Lisanna—oh, God, Lisanna… But Mira was still alive. And that's all that mattered.

Part of him felt guilty. It was completely messed up that he could feel this way. But how could not he when Mirajane, his Mirajane was still alive?

He pounded on the Strauss' front door.

"Who's there?" came Cana's voice.

"It's Laxus. I'm here to see Mira."

Laxus heard the fumbling of the deadbolt before he was greeted by Cana's worried expression as she let him in.

"How is she?"

Cana shook her head. "She's locked herself in her room. She won't come out. I… I don't know what to do!"

"Can I see her?" he asked.

Cana narrowed her eyes at him, looking him over suspiciously.

"What's that look for?" he demanded. "I'm obviously here to help."

"If you make things any worse…" hissed Cana, her warning clear. Then she gestured at a closed door at the end of the hall.

Laxus shouldered past her and made his way to Mira's bedroom door. He knocked gently. "Mira? It's me."

No answer.

"I know you're in there, Mirajane," said Laxus.

Nothing.

"She's been like that all day," said Cana. "She won't talk to anyone."

Laxus sighed. Mira was always so stubborn.

Fine. He'd play it her way.

"If you don't want to talk to me, that's fine. But I'll be here when you're ready. See you tomorrow."

True to his word, Laxus visited the next day.

"Mira, it's me."

No answer.

"Just wanted to let you know that Elfman's staying with Macao for a little bit. You don't have to worry about him."

Silence.

"See you tomorrow, Mira."

There was no answer the next day either.

"I'm here for you. The whole guild's here for you."

Or the day after that.

"Don't do this, Mira. Please. Please don't…"

Mira's silent rejections made Laxus feel so helpless. All he could do was visit every day and sit outside of her bedroom door, letting the anxiety eat away at his gut. He hated not being able to help. But what else could he do?

"Are you sure she's okay in there?" he asked Cana when he arrived the next day.

"She's started eating, at least," said Cana. "So that's something."

"Really?"

Cana nodded. "After you told her to the other day. Or maybe she just got hungry."

Well, that was a start, at least.

Laxus took his familiar position in the hall outside of Mira's door.

"Good morning, Mira. I hope you're feeling better today."

No answer.

Laxus sighed. "Let me in, Mira, please. I want to help you. Just… just tell me what I can do…"

"You can't." Mira's voice was muffled and thick with emotion, but it was her.

Laxus felt his heart leap to his throat as he rocketed to his feet. "Mira?"

"Just go away."

"Open the door. Please," begged Laxus.

Laxus heard the pad of bare feet on hardwood. The door eased open, revealing Mira's too-pale face, gaunt and streaked with tears.

"Mira…" he whispered, reaching out for her. "Oh, Mira." He couldn't bear to see her like this. She was so small and broken with dark circles like bruises under her eyes and her right arm in a sling. It made his heart hurt for her.

Mira shook her head, matted hair falling over her face. "Go away," she whispered, her eyes red rimmed and glassy. She hugged her good arm around herself.

"No. I'm not leaving. I want to help you. Let me in, please."

Mira shook her head furiously, her eyes flashing with anger. "I don't see how this is remotely your problem," she hissed. "I'm a big girl. I can deal with it myself!"

Mira's words were like a slap to the face. Laxus staggered back. "You don't mean that," he said, shaking his head.

"Yes, I do," she insisted through clenched teeth. "I don't need anybody's help," she said, the words sounding hollow and false in Laxus' ears.

She was trying so hard to be strong that it made Laxus' heart ache.

He wished he could take all her pain and fears away so she'd never hurt like this again. He hated himself for not being able to do anything for her.

"All right," said Laxus. "Okay, I'll go. But only because you asked me to. I still want to be here for you, but I don't want to push you. I need you to let me know when it's okay for me to be here."

Mira didn't reply. Instead she shut the door.

Hot fury bubbled in Laxus' chest. Even now, she didn't think she could rely on him. She didn't think he was strong enough.

This was his fault. He hadn't been strong enough to protect her or the ones she cared about. He hadn't been strong enough to support her.

And now Lisanna was dead.

And who would it be next time? Would it be Elfman? Would it be Cana or Erza or Natsu?

Would it be Mirajane?

Never.

He'd never let that happen. Next time, he'd be ready. He'd be able to defend his friends when it mattered. That way the ones he loved wouldn't have to suffer like this.

Laxus let the Strauss' front door slam behind him, ignoring Cana as she called after him. He waited until he was down the street and around the corner before pulling his lacrima out of his pocket. He let out a breath from between his teeth.

"Hey, Dad. It's me," he said. I've changed my mind. How soon can I get that surgery?"

Next time, he'd be ready, no matter what happened. And if that meant becoming a lab rat? Then so be it.

How quickly we change our minds when those we care about are affected.

Next time, in [Mazeverse] Can't Catch Lightning, after the surgery: Laxus let himself collapse back on his bed, the pain washing over him.

Stop back next Friday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.