Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or the characters.
Double chapter update! So, the last chapter probably brought on a lot of questions so I'll explain a few things. Laxus, at the beginning, was kind of an asshat to everyone, and especially Lucy. Remember when he said he would only protect her from Phantom Lord if she became his woman? That's how his attitude right now is, but he will eventually come around to the fact that she doesn't like him like that. And the thing with Freed will be explained in this chapter. You know, why he's so obsessed with Laxus and doesn't go against what he wants. Anyway, enjoy this chapter!
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Lucy slowly opened her eyes, groaning when the morning sun hit them, and sat up. The train was steadily coming to a stop, and she couldn't have been more relieved. Train rides were more convenient, but they were very uncomfortable to sleep on. Stretching, she grabbed her bag and exited onto the platform. Because of the early hour there weren't many people around. This made moving around a lot easier as she trotted along the sidewalk towards the nearest diner. It had been hours since she had last eaten anything. Finding one, she ducked inside and took a seat at the first available table.
Inwardly she grimaced as she noticed the similarities to the place she ate at with the Thunder Legion a couple days before. Reaching onto her hip, she unclipped her keyring and placed it down on the table next to her. Her fingertips brushed over Aquarius' key, and it steadily glowed. She knew that was the mermaid's way of telling her to cheer up or, in Aquarius's own words, she would drown the bastard that dared to make Lucy feel bad. It made her laugh when the temperamental spirit went off on one of her tirades about how Lucy should be respected. She loved her spirits. They were like her own little family.
"Miss, what may I get for you?" Her eyes snapped up to look at the waitress as she placed her keys in her bag.
Lucy looked down at the menu real quick then closed it. "I'd love a glass of orange juice with some bacon and eggs please."
"Coming right up!" The blonde waitress chirped as she disappeared into the back, menu in hand.
Leaning back, Lucy recalled the events of the last few days. She'd never expected to run into Fairy Tail mages on her way to Flintwood. And she especially didn't expect to get attacked by one. Somehow the thought kind of amused her. Then her talk with Freed had given her something that she didn't realize she was lacking. Romance. All she ever wanted was to be strong like her mother and complete the tasks that she had on her plate. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought that she would end up crushing on someone she just met. The greenette was sweet to her and he'd shown a lot of interest in her magic, which was usually seen as rather weak, and it had excited her. Then Laxus had to decide that he wanted her. She was flattered, really, but she'd had her life decided once by her father and she wasn't going to do that again.
While she mused on this, the waitress had returned and placed her order in front of her. She gave a polite smile to the woman and dug into the food. It tasted heavenly after having survived on rations and small sandwiches for the last couple weeks (besides that day with the Thunder Legion). While she was eating, a young man with orange hair and wearing a green jacket had made his way into the diner. Seeing the cute blonde all alone, he slipped into the seat across from her. Lucy glanced up at him and narrowed her eyes.
"Who are you?" She asked after she finished swallowing her food.
He gave a very charming smile. "My name's Loke, and I'm a mage from the amazing Fairy Tail."
Lucy's face went totally blank at the response. Another Fairy Tail mage? She wanted to laugh, but thought better of it. Though, she relented, this one seemed a little screwy in the head. A weird feeling came over her as she locked eyes with the man called Loke. It almost felt like the two of them had met before. From the look in his eyes, he was having the same sense of Deja vu that she was. The two of them continued staring at each other, the staring contest being broken by the waitress clearing her throat.
"Would you like something to eat sir?" She asked politely.
He gave another charming smile. "Yes, I would. I'll have some eggs, toast, and your number."
"C-Coming right up!" The girl's cheeks turned bright red and she scurried off once more.
Lucy was amused by this interaction and just shook her head. Her hand dropped down onto her keys, and she felt them become uncomfortably hot under her touch. Why? She furrowed her brows and gently ran her index finger over Crux's key. Should she summon him to answer her questions? Leaning back, she gripped them tightly in both hands. Something was making her spirits uncomfortable, and she was going to find out what it was. Looking up, her eyes locked once more with the orange haired man's.
"So what's your name beautiful?" He asked smoothly, placing his chin on his hands.
The blonde queried a brow at him. "Lucy."
"Lucy~" He practically purred, making her bite her lip to keep from laughing. "A gorgeous name for a gorgeous woman."
She smirked at him. "You know if you keep flirting with all these women you're never going to find love."
"Maybe I just did." He replied coolly.
She couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. "You're an interesting guy, Loke."
"I get that a lot." He smiled, a real smile instead of his normal flirtation one. "So what brings you here today?"
The blonde smiled. "I'm actually on my way to join Fairy Tail."
"Really?" The momentary surprise disappeared and his smile widened. "Then I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
"I guess so." She responded, tilting her head to the side to observe him.
The feeling of Deja vu hadn't disappeared, and it was honestly bugging her. When had she ever met someone like him? Never, from what she could remember. Then there was the weird heat that had come from her keys when he sat down. Was he possibly-? Could he be-? Her head spun with the multiple scenarios that her mind had conjured up. Maybe he was a Celestial Spirit mage? No, too uncommon. That left a more unlikely reason. He was a Celestial Spirit himself. She tossed that idea immediately. She knew quite a bit about the constellations and there were no spirits called Loke. Anyway, that would mean that he needed his summoner to be nearby and,from what she could see, they were the only ones inside the diner. Picking up her keys she looked back up at the orange haired man.
He was staring at her keys, eyes wide and complexion pale. "I-I think I have to go."
Quickly, he stood up and made his way to the front of the diner. Dropping some jewels on the counter, he practically ran from the establishment. Both the waitress and Lucy watched him go with shock. What exactly had she done to make him run away? Paying for her own meal, the blonde left the diner in search of Loke. Something about the way he looked when he ran off had concerned her. But how was she supposed to find him when he could be halfway out of town by now? Groaning, she started her search.
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Back in Flintwood, both Freed and Laxus were being berated by Evergreen. When she woke up to find that note left to her by Lucy she'd burst into the guy's room and proceeded to forcibly wake them all up. Shoving the note in their faces, she demanded to know what the two had done to make the blonde girl ditch them so late at night. When they responded, she practically screeched loud enough to wake the entire hallway. She was downright pissed.
"How could you say something so stupid?!" She demanded, staring at Laxus. "How about asking her out instead of just deciding on your own that she's yours?!"
Laxus grunted angrily, "I've claimed her and will have her whether she likes it or not!"
"You!" The brunette turned to the shirtless Freed,ignoring Laxus for the moment. "How could you hurt her feelings like this? She likes you and you just push her away for him?!"
Freed flinched at the words. He didn't think Lucy had really felt anything more than friendship for him so hearing that she liked him made his heart clench painfully. But both girls didn't understand why he acted the way he did with Laxus. And it had started back when he was first asked to join Fairy Tail.
Flashback
The Justine family was a group of wealthy merchants. The two sons,Freed and Lawrence, were raised as prim and proper gentlemen. Neither ever stepped out of line for fear of being reprimanded by their father, Reginald Justine. It was a lonely existence for both boys but neither had the courage to go against what he wanted for them. But Freed had gained a secret love for runes after seeing a traveling mage use them on one of his rare visits to town. Every night before he went to bed he would study them. Soon, he could effectively write and utilize them. But with this magic came longing. He wanted to join a guild so he could continue to practice his passion.
The first time he brought them up he was immediately berated for having an interest outside of his family's trade. The second time he was struck across the face. It had shocked him and his father, after realizing what he had done, apologized. The action had caused him to fear his father a little and every time he heard Reginald raise his voice he flinched, waiting to be slapped again. But one night he was brought into his father's office later than he normally worked.
"I'm going to give you two options." Reginald explained, his lips in a firm line. "Either you give up this rune nonsense or you give up your family."
Freed was shocked. "What d-do you mean by giving up my family?"
"If you choose that option then I will disown you from the family." His father answered curtly. "You will never see myself, your mother, or Lawrence ever again. Your inheritance will go to your brother and you will be given an hour to pack whatever you want then you have to leave."
Freed stared at his father with an expression of pain. Both options sounded dreadful to the greenette but he understood that his father wouldn't let him leave without an answer. Either he turns his back on his dreams or his family. An impossible decision. Tears trickled down his pale cheeks and he inhaled deeply. As he released the breath he stood up straight and met his father's eyes.
"I'll be gone within the hour."
Returning to his room, he grabbed the nearest suitcase and started packing. Clothes and his books on runes. Then he made his way to the kitchen and grabbed some small snacks for his journey. Both his mother and Lawrence watched him with teary eyes. Neither had thought that Freed would actually choose the second option and disappear. And as promised, Freed had walked out the door in forty minutes flat. He didn't dare look back as he made it to the front gate. Pushing it open, he walked out into the night.
Days had passed and Freed was lost. In his haste to leave his home he had forgotten to grab a map. Flopping down onto a park bench, he laid his head in his hands. The pain of having left behind his family was still eating him but he didn't regret his decision. This was his life! Footsteps approached so he lifted his head. A blonde with spiky hair and orange eyes was walking towards him. His heart leapt into his throat from fear. Why was this mean looking person coming at him?
"Hey, what are you doing here?" The gruff voice asked, his hands shoved in his pockets.
Freed gulped. "I-I'm lost."
"Lost? Where are you trying to go?" The blonde asked.
The greenette flinched. "I don't know."
"How can you be lost if you don't know where you're going?" The blonde mocked. "Are you a mage?"
He nodded. "I am."
"Do you belong to a guild?" He asked.
Freed tilted his head to the side. "No, why?"
"Then come to Fairy Tail with me." The blonde demanded. "Can't have you dying out here."
He nodded and stood up. "What's your name?"
"Laxus Dreyar, yours?" The blonde, now known as Laxus, answered.
The rune mage flinched. "Freed Justine."
"Well let's go then, Freed."
It had taken a few hours but they arrived at Fairy Tail. On the way, Laxus had continuously questioned Freed on his magic. Now as they made their way inside, he turned and said. "I brought you here to join my team. You're the second one so I'll introduce you to Bickslow once you're settled in."
"W-What?" Freed was in shock. "You want me on your team?"
Laxus regarded him with a slightly confused look."Yeah, so what?"
"Nothing."
It made him feel good to be wanted. Most of the time he'd felt like he wasn't when he was with his father. Reginald had never praised him or showed him affection. This was all so new to him. But he didn't dislike it. It was then that he swore that he would follow Laxus for the rest of his life. Because the blonde had made him feel wanted for the first time in his life.
End of Flashback
He closed his eyes, holding back tears. "I do like her. I really like her."
"So why are you acting this way?" Evergreen demanded, hands on her hips with a scowl directed at him.
Freed sniffled. "Because I made a promise to myself and I never go back on my promises."
Evergreen threw her hands up in the air with annoyance. She was done. They both were beyond help. Laxus opened his mouth to say something else but then his lacrima started ringing. Answering, the weathered face of his grandfather Makarov appeared.
"What do you want, old man?" Laxus asked grumpily.
The man chuckled. "You're as pleasant as ever. There's a job that needs done near where you are."
"Fine, we'll do it."
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Lucy huffed in annoyance as she continued her search for Loke. The orange haired man had somehow been evading her for the last couple of hours, and it was frustrating her. Whatever had spooked him must have been big if he was going to these lengths to hide. Walking into the dense forest, the blonde heard someone breathing. It was sharp breaths that made it apparent that the owner was in pain. Rushing in the direction her eyes widened. It was Loke.
The orange haired man was lying flat on his back, chest heaving with each breath he took. Lucy rushed to his side, placing her hand on his forehead. He was burning up! She needed to do something. Anything! Her keys started rattling against her hip. Grabbing Crux's key, she summoned him. "Open Gate of the Southern Cross, Crux!" The giant cross like spirit stared at Loki warily.
"Crux, what's going on?" Lucy asked desperately.
The spirit lowered its eyes. "That person you are trying to help is Leo, the leader of the Zodiacs."
"W-What?" She asked, eyes wide. "Where's his summoner?! He needs help!"
Crux gave her a look of pure sadness. "Unfortunately, he's beyond help."
"What do you mean?" The blonde asked, squeezing Loke's hand.
The spirit explained. "Two years ago Leo summoned himself against his master's wishes. She'd been abusing her other spirit, Aries, for quite some time and Leo had finally had enough. He forced his gate open and refused to allow her to summon any more spirits. She got tired of not being able to go on job's and tried to force Aries gate open despite not having the magical power to do so. As a result she died and Aries key was stolen. Leo was charged with his master's death and will remain in the human world until he disappears."
"You can't be serious!" Lucy hollered, angered by what she just heard. "His summoner is at fault not him!"
"You're wrong." Loke's pained voice came from beside her. "I deserve this."
Lucy shook her head. "No you don't!"
"I let Karen die and Aries was stolen by her murderer. How is that not my fault?" He asked as he sat up, eyes sad and pained, gazing at Lucy.
The blonde brought her hand up and smacked it across his face. Both Crux and Loke were shocked. "You idiot! How could you blame yourself for that? Your summoner was abusing Aries and you tried to stop her! Why should you be punished for protecting your friend?!"
"Please just leave me alone Lucy." He begged.
"I won't!" She yelled, tears falling down her face. "I won't let you vanish for a crime that didn't commit!"
The world seemed to stop for a moment. The ground shook and Lucy would've fallen had Loki not caught her in his arms. Standing before them was a large spirit that wore armor and had a large mustache. The Celestial Spirit King. Both of their eyes widened as they watched him cross his arms.
"What's going on here?" The King asked, his eyes trained on both Lucy and Loki.
Lucy growled at him. "Why?! Why is he being punished for allowing his summoner to die?! She was the one who didn't understand her own limits and tried to force another gate open."
"We have rules in our world." He answered, "Laws that shall not be broken."
The blonde's anger rose. "The law is wrong! Do you even care about Aries at all? She was being abused and Leo was the only one who tried to help her! He did what he thought he had to to save another spirit from their master's torture! How is that a crime?!"
"..." The Celestial Spirit King was silent as he watched the fuming blonde.
Lucy yelled once more,"What would Aries want?!" Lucy's magic formed around her, her spirits appearing alongside her. "My friends have come to tell you that they want Loki to be forgiven!"
"Lucy stop!" Loke yelled with desperation. "Do you want to end up like Karen?!"
The blonde glared at him. "I will not! You're my friend too!"
Tears started falling down Loke's face as he heard the blonde's words. Even the Celestial Spirit King seemed taken back by her determination to save the zodiac spirit. All the girl's spirits disappeared as she collapsed onto her knees. She grabbed his hands in her own, squeezing tightly, afraid that if she let him go then he would really vanish.
"Maybe if my old friend thinks so.." The King stated. "Then maybe the law really is wrong."
Loke's eyes widened. "Y-You mean?"
"Leo, you are hereby pardoned of your crimes!" He bellowed out then turned to Lucy. "You're running out of favors old friend."
She gave a small smile. "I know but this was important."
A shimmering gold light appeared and something dropped into Lucy's hands. The gold gate key for Leo the lion. "Take good care of my old friend."
"I will." The world sped up once more and Lucy's body slumped forward from exhaustion.
Loke caught her in his arms, teary eyed. "What a strange girl." uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Lucy groaned as she opened her eyes. Her head pounded and her body ached all over. Where was she now? Sitting up, she observed the room. It was an infirmary; that much was obvious. Stretching, the blonde felt her bones crack and sighed. Someone cleared their throat, scaring her half to death. Turning, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
Standing before her was her number one idol; Mirajane Strauss. The white-haired pin up model was smiling kindly at her and she suddenly felt subconscious. Wait, she thought. Why is Mirajane Strauss here? Could I be at Fairy Tail?
Mira must have seen the questions in her eyes because she spoke up. "Loke carried your unconscious body in here a few hours ago. He told me quite the interesting tale when he did so."
"Did he now?" She felt some amusement at the predicament.
The white haired girl gave a friendly smile. "I'm Mirajane Strauss, the bartender here at Fairy Tail. Loke said that you wanted to join and after what he told Master I think you'll fit right in here. Now, where do you want your guild mark and what color?"
She was holding up the stamp with the guild logo. Lucy reached out her right hand. "Right here in pink please."
Mirajane gently held her palm and stamped the logo down onto her right hand. When she pulled it back the blonde was smiling. "Welcome to our crazy family here at Fairy Tail, Lucy!"
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I had way too much fun writing Loke. xD He's like my third favorite spirit so doing this chapter had me all excited. So now we have the leader of the zodiac's joining our Lucy. I hope this gave some insight into Freed's past and why he acts the way he does towards Laxus. Next few chapters won't have as much focus on the Thunder God Tribe, but more on Lucy's adventures with the new friends that she makes.