Lucy had found a quiet spot in the park, sat on the soft lush green grass while tucking her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. She cried. She let the tears slip down her cheeks as she thought of all those poor women who had been captured, all their pictures flashing through her mind, the one of Wendy sticking out that was like a huge punch to her stomach. Her heart was instantly bleeding and calling out to the girl she thought of as a younger sister, trying to wrap her head around how someone as kind and loving as Wendy had been amongst them. Where was Carla? The exceed was never far from her young charge, but then again a lot could change in the nine or so months she had been gone. Look at what had happened to her.
Her rage over the situation had gotten the best of her and now all she could feel was the pain the women were going through. Lucy's experience may have differed slightly but at the end of the day, there were too many similarities. However, now she could help those women and put a permanent end to Bora's slave trade ring that he'd been conducting. Rationally she knew that she needed to pull herself together and focus on that thought, but the tears kept coming and the heart-wrenching sobs continued to escape her. Her frustration at the situation at hand, her own capture and rescue, Aquarius' key, Fairy Tail disbanding, Natsu leaving her, Laxus' mixed signs, a potential new life at White Sea - it was all so overwhelming and she'd been bottling it up for so long.
This cry was long overdue. The tumultuous feelings that were swirling inside of Lucy were all coming out at once and she needed to weather it, needed to let go so that she could move forward with life. Crying had always been a good way to start healing for Lucy and once she was past this stage she would be able to focus and deal with all of her internal struggles one by one. The tears started to slow as Lucy straightened herself from her hunched position, resting against the rough bark of the tree behind her. Lucy had some time before Virgo would be back with her answer from Kaleb and was hoping that Thane would be able to bring them all here with his powers of teleportation. He was one of the mages that Virgo was inquiring about along with Presca and Beck, both of which would come in handy for this mission.
"Lucy?" a feminine voice broke through her thoughts as chocolate eyes met deep blue ones. "Juvia has been looking for Lucy everywhere. Is Lucy alright now?"
"I am, thanks Juvia."
"Juvia knows how much Wendy means to Lucy and Juvia is more determined to make this mission a success!" The water mage sat beside Lucy, also leaning against the tree, and grasped one of her friend's hands in her own. "Does Lucy remember Juvia's last promise to Lucy?"
"You were going to tell me what happened to you and Gray after the last time we met in person. You don't have to tell me if you aren't comfortable."
"Juvia needs to tell someone and Juvia knows that Lucy will not judge Juvia, or Gray, over what was happened." Juvia had been trying to rationalize everything that had happened but wasn't getting anywhere fast with trying to work it out herself. She had come to terms over the fact that Gray would never return her love and there was someone else out there for her, but the sting left behind could still be felt.
"Whenever you're ready Juvia. I'll be here for you no matter what you tell me, I promise!" Lucy couldn't provide much comfort for the water mage but she would do anything for one of her friends, one of the few family members she still talked with and cherished more than ever. Maybe Lucy would finally tell someone about Aquarius and maybe Juvia was that person.
"Juvia went with Gray after Tartaros was defeated. Gray had been battling his revived father, Silver, thanks to the necromancer demons power. Juvia fought with him and eventually won, which enabled Gray to reach his father on a different level and reconnect even if it was only for a few fleeting moments. Gray received new powers in Silver's final moments and Gray is now the only mage, that Juvia knows about, that has demon slaying abilities. Juvia followed Gray back to his hometown where Gray worked through his issues and Juvia helped where she could, which was mostly listening and sex. Juvia knew that Gray was just using Juvia but finally had a small chance to show Gray that Juvia could be his. Juvia was very wrong and Gray and Juvia had a nasty argument, with Gray saying several hurtful things to Juvia. Juvia left in the middle of the night, leaving Gray a note on the table, and contacted Gajeel who set Juvia up with the Rune Knights and this mission."
"What else is there Juvia?" Lucy pushed a little bit knowing that there was something that the mage wasn't telling her, something that was eating her up inside.
"Juvia was pregnant with Gray's child but lost it shortly after Juvia left him. Juvia has had a hard time accepting that." Juvia let her own tears fall as she felt Lucy pulling her into her embrace, holding her tight. "Juvia knows Gray wasn't ready to be a father, especially not to her child, but Juvia was excited to be a mother. Now Juvia might never find a man or have a family. Juvia is so scared and worried, Lucy." Lucy rocked the water mage back and forth letting Juvia cry and let it all out, knowing how relieving it could be since she had finished her own session not long ago.
"I know that this is tough Juvia, but there could have been a number of reasons why you lost the baby. It could have been stress, it could have been your body, or it could have been the egg itself. There are too many scenarios for us to try to figure it out, but I am confident that everything happens for a reason even if we can't see that reason now. You will find a totally amazing man who will love you for all you're worth and will give you the world if you wanted it, of that I am sure!" Lucy said that with so much enthusiasm that Juvia's tears dried up and a small smile returned to her face. "Gray was never the man for you Juvia. I know it still hurts and I know that you can see that now, so we'll help each other heal and move forward from here on out, together."
"Together?"
"Yes!" Lucy left no room for argument, no room for doubts to cloud the bluenette's thoughts. "I am planning on joining the White Sea guild and I am hoping that you'll consider coming back to Pelerno with me. The Thunder Legion is there and I think that you'd absolutely love the water of the Grass Sea. Oh, and Cobra is also there and will be joining too. We can start over with a new guild, one that has been around for 400 years with several thousand members. A place to call home again."
"Juvia would like that very much, Lucy. Are you sure that the master will allow Juvia to join?"
"He better or he'll be dealing with a Lucy Kick to his balls!" The two women broke down laughing, the tense atmosphere disappearing around the two cheery women.
"Sorry to disturb you, Princess," Virgo bowed as she addressed the ladies. "Master Kaleb has agreed to your summons of the mages for this mission and will be here with them shortly since they are waiting for the Thunder Legion to return from a quick mission. The lunar slayer will be joining us later though as he had a minor matter to take care of at a clinic Miss Xally was working at today."
"Thank you Virgo. When you return make sure everyone knows of the plan, please. I want everyone ready to go at a moments notice and those of you who can open your own gates will be needed for this mission."
"Of course Princess." Virgo left in a puff of white smoke to relay her keyholder's words to the rest of her spirits.
"Should we head back to the base? Get everyone situated for this rescue and wait for the cavalry to get here?"
"Juvia agrees with Lucy. Perhaps Juvia and Lucy could also get something to eat when we get back?" Her stomach protested at not being fed in a while followed by Lucy's much louder stomach growling its hunger at her. The girls giggled as they walked arm in arm back to the hideout, both feeling better than they had in a long time.
Kaleb had been sitting at the desk in his office trying to get some much-needed paperwork done. Thane had done a great job while he had been swamped with everything else going on in his life. He was glad that Cobra had decided to join the guild, a poison slayer among their ranks would prove invaluable going forward and Vander was already looking forward to going on a mission with him and Presca. The three of them would be the most deadly team in his guild, now if only he could convince Lucy to join as well. Their impromptu spar, after she had woken up from her rescue, had Kaleb wondering about all of her capabilities as a celestial mage and how she would fit into the guild if she so chooses so. Someone of her caliber would be heavily sought after, especially once they found out about how many zodiac keys she possessed.
"Hello Master Kaleb," a pink-haired woman dressed as a maid with chains around her wrists was suddenly standing in Kaleb's office. "I am Virgo, one of Miss Heartfilia's spirits."
"Of course. What can I help you with today Virgo?"
"Princess has asked me to come to you to ask for with help on the mission she on with Master Zen."
"Has something gone wrong?"
"No Master Kaleb. The slave trader that Princess's friend was after had a shipment of thirty women scheduled to depart tomorrow afternoon and we were waiting for the last five women to be brought by boat. None of us were expecting there to be another twenty-five women come off that ship for a total of fifty. The number of women and mage guards are more than was expected and Princess is hoping that you will help out along with several other mages."
"Who is she all requesting?"
"The Thunder Legion, Cristoff, Emzadi, Vander, Presca, Beck, Thane, and yourself." Lucy was smart, he'd give her credit for that. Kaleb himself would have chosen a very similar team for such a high risk, stealth mission such as this and now he wanted her to join his guild more than ever. Beautiful beyond words, able to clock his mindbending abilities to a degree, and a tactician - if Laxus wasn't her mate he'd definitely be taking a shot at her.
"The Thunder Legion should be back soon judging by Freed's call several moments ago. Their mission was much easier to accomplish than originally anticipated, but Cristoff is out helping Xally with some patients at a clinic today. I will let him know the plan and the coordinates so that he may join us when he is free. I'll have to talk to Farron and Freed about drawing up some paperwork so that . . ."
"Already done Master Kaleb. Princess had me look into that shortly after she left for the mission and I have already informed them of the influx of women. They are going to be bringing a Boscan airship to a location Princess has picked out where they can help all the women." Well fuck, Lucy really had this all planned out to a T, so much so that he was just adding back up to an already well thought out plan, he hoped.
"I'm assuming that Lucy has a plan to take down the man behind this and rescue the girls?" The looking Virgo's eyes told him everything he needed to know. "I will relay the message to everyone else and we'll head out as soon as we are ready to go. Is there anything Virgo?"
"No Master Kaleb. I'll be heading back to my Princess and will see you during the mission." Virgo headed back and Kaleb slumped in his chair while trying to understand how a slave ring had gone unnoticed by his guild for so long. Pranghes was a smaller city along the south-east coast, which had ample trade with Stella, Joya, and Minstrel but to find out that they were selling slaves made him sick. His father, and his guild, had worked their asses off to ensure that Bosco was slave trade free and now some no talent mage decided to corrupt their society, well this person would have another thing coming when he got a hold of his mind. Kaleb starting relaying the messages to everyone Lucy had asked for, all of which were more than amicable to help end this and help those women. He was gathering his own stuff when Vander walked into his office with Presca, Beck, and Thane.
"So our dear Stellina has decided to take down a slave ring eh? Damn that girl has some balls!" Vander plopped himself on one of Kaleb's comfy chairs.
"Bigger balls than you," retorted Presca without missing a beat.
"How would you know? You keep denying me the pleasure of being with you." Presca rolled his eyes but otherwise kept quiet. He had been working with Vander long enough to know that it was damn near impossible to outwit the cocky man and that silence aggravated him to no end.
"Killjoy," mumbled Vander under his breath, knowing that the energy mage wasn't going to be playing along anymore. "How much longer do we need to wait for Bixy's team and Zadi to show up?"
"Not long, besides we picked up another to help us out," Emzadi smirked, Cobra following behind her as she walked into the room with the Thunder Legion. "So what has our kin gotten herself into now?"
"You know as much as I do right now. Virgo left me their coordinates so Thane will be taking us there and hopefully someone will fill us in on the plan from there. Thane if you would be so kind as to get us there." Thane gathered his magic around everyone and left without a sound. The group of mages landed in an abandoned house that had definitely seen better days. Dust had settled on every surface, windows were broken, and furniture was dismantled, it wasn't what anyone was expecting when it came to a base of operations.
"So glad you could all make it," Zen said as he stepped through a wall. "Lucy and Juvia are out right now, but I'll fill you in on the plan if you'll follow me." One by one the mages walked through the magical wall and were met with a buzz. Rune Knights were gathering their supplies and going over plans and who was stationed where while others were going over profiles of the women, trying to attain as much information as possible.
"Where's Tink?"
"I don't know. She saw a picture on the table and began angry."
"Angry as in she plans to glitter bomb the ever loving shit out of someone, or she wants to kick you into a wall, or hell hath no fury like Angry Lucy?" Bickslow asked, hoping that Zen would understand the differences. The Thunder Legion was well acquainted with the first two but only her team had seen the last one, no one talked much about what had happened though.
"Definitely hell hath no fury," Zen retorted without missing a beat. "Juvia also knew the young woman who had been captured and had cried before she eventually went to find Lucy." Zen picked up the picture that had been left of the table and passed it to Kaleb. "Juvia and Lucy didn't say much about the woman, just that her name was Wendy." The growl that flowed throughout the room had everyone halting what they were doing to stare at the new people. The Thunder Legion was shocked to see the picture of Wendy, who's hair was flat against her dirt-stained face and tattered clothing.
"Wendy is the sky dragon slayer that was part of Fairy Tail and frequently went on missions with Team Natsu. Lucy and Wendy had developed a deep sibling bond from what I know," Freed offered to the White Sea mages.
"Who?" Laxus could only say the one word as he was consumed with a white-hot rage. He could understand why Lucy was angry now and knew that one way or another the people responsible for this would be at their mercy.
"A mage named Bora," Zen supplied to the angry blonde slayer. "I know nothing about him though, except that Lucy knows who he is from a previous encounter."
"How? I'm sure that Miss Lucy wasn't hurt by him while in the guild?" Freed said as he started to go over every possible kidnapping, battle, or mission that Lucy had been a part of.
"I met him before I joined Fairy Tail." The group of mages looked at Lucy and Juvia, both of which had returned looking better than when they left, or so Zen thought. It was easy to see they had both been crying from the slight redness to their cheeks and eyes, but both seemed in better spirits than before. "I met Bora in Hargeon after I had left the konzern in search of a guild to join. I was running from home, from the arranged marriage my father was setting up and had run into the despicable fire mage. He was using a love charm to get women to follow him while pretending to be Salamander, my interest was piqued and I fell into his plot. Natsu broke the charm for me and since I was aware of what was going on I didn't fall victim to it when he came around again. The next time we talked he told me he was part of Fairy Tail and that he'd help me get in if I joined him on the ship that was taking him back. Once on the ship, I figured out what he was doing and Natsu came to rescue me again, granted I may have called Aquarius out and had her wash the ship onto the shore where Natsu took care of the rest. That was my first encounter with a mage while on my travels. Now I am quite curious to know how he escaped."
"My men are still looking into the incident at the prison. No-one has any recollection of what happened and we have some talented mind reading mages in our group plus security cameras," Captain Tek spoke up as all eyes were now on him. "I am sorry we don't have more to go on, but I have been granted permission from Queen Husui and King Altiene that we are to use any means necessary to take down the ring."
"That's what I'm talkin' about," hollered Vander. "What's our plan Stellina?"
"We're going to wait until it's dark and then . . ."
Several hours had gone by since Lucy had divulged her plan to the team, and with a few changes thanks to Kaleb's keen eye, they were ready to head out. They were all split into teams of two to cover more ground and help more people. The mages would be the ones doing most of the heavy lifting while the Rune Knights waited in the trees outside the bunker. Freed and Evergreen were going to be with them to ensure that no traps or runes were activated while everyone was getting into position, handle any stragglers, and alert the team to any sneak attacks. Kaleb had fully linked the mages minds so that they everyone would be aware of what was going on and call for help if necessary.
The complex was square in design with four guards posted at each entrance, with an entrance on each side that equaled sixteen guards. Vander was currently scoping out the inside on the bunker and relaying the specs, guards, and where the women were located to the link. Once Vander returned from each team volunteered what route the wanted to take. Virgo had supplied everyone with magic canceling cuffs for the mission and was going to be tunneling underground to the four areas where the women were being kept. Laxus and Bickslow were going to take out the mages at the east entrance before heading into that door. They would head to the first group of women and send them on their way with Virgo or Aries out a tunnel. The mages need only push their magic into the ground and the last bit of earth would give way so that everyone could escape.
Emzadi and Beck would be doing the same thing on the south side, Zen and Vander on the west side and Presca with Cobra on the north end. Thane would be teleporting Kaleb, Lucy, and Juvia to the old janitor's closet in the heart of the complex before splitting up to cover more ground. Kaleb and Thane would be heading to the control room where a large number of mages would be stationed, waiting for the order to move out. Lucy and Juvia were heading to the medical bay where several women and guards were located. Lucy had would call her spirits out she needed them, or her team if they so chose to utilize them. Cristoff would be joining the two women when he joined the battle in hopes of healing anyone who may need it and as extra strength.
Each team took their positions and when Kaleb gave the go-ahead they would all attack at once, so not alert anyone else in the vicinity. One lone lightning bolt incapacitated all four guards as Bickslow slapped the cuffs on then headed through the door to where their group of women were being held. Laxus almost growled when he saw the state of some of the women, but reined it in so he wouldn't scare them away. Bickslow did most of the talking, as his babies cut through the metal bars, happy that the women were responding to his charms. Laxus stepped in and send a bolt into the ground, but had to jump back as the ground beneath his feet started to collapse. Aries appeared next to Bickslow as she led the women through the tunnel, the seith mage helping the women down as Laxus kept watch. Once the women were all within the tunnel they waited several minutes before seeing the opening close itself. Seems Virgo was going to be closing the tunnels as the women made it out so no one could follow them. The two men high fived and headed to the control where they would meet up with the majority of the others.
Kaleb had taken down the twenty or so odd men that were in the control room, effectively putting them all into their worse nightmare, as Thane was slowly putting cuffs on each man. Kaleb was picking their memories apart looking for the man named Bora or any other hint of a bigger plan that was at play but was disappointed when he found none. He reached out to the other team members to see how they were doing and asking for a head count. Emzadi and Beck reported that they ran into more guards where the women were stationed, but everything had been quiet otherwise. Forty women was the tally so far but no one had heard from Lucy or Juvia yet, and that was bothersome to everyone who was now gathered in the control room. Kaleb tried to reach the two women but was effectively met by a mental wall, neither of which the two women had put up on their own, which meant that someone had gotten to them first. Emzadi went to open the door only to find that it had been locked from the inside. Either Bora was more cunning than they originally thought or they had a mole amongst them.
Lucy and Juvia had gotten to the medical bay without an issue, had heard there were only forty women accounted for and was going to reply that there were only eight here before a sweet scent hit her. She watched as Juvia went down hard, the poor water mage was overwhelmed by the charm that was trying to control Lucy, however, she had been anticipating this in the off chance and called Gemini Cobra out. Charms were essentially poison that worked to trick a person, it just depended on what charm was being used. Gemini Cobra quickly made an antidote, biting Lucy's wrists followed by Juvia's, and Lucy was immediately feeling the effects lessening as the fogginess cleared away. Gemini Cobra left, but Virgo appeared to escort the eight women out of the medical area. Juvia was slowly starting to wake up but not before she was being addressed.
"My my my. Look at how strong you've become since I first met the naive girl in Hargeon. I can see I am going to have to try harder to capture you this time around, Lucy." Bora's charming voice echoed in the stillness of the room as he entered from another door. "You're still as beautiful as ever. No wonder there is a bounty of that pretty little head of yours."
"A bounty?"
"Joya is still looking for you and has a very handsome reward out for your safe capture and arrival to the High Warqueen Sydelle. Surely you haven't forgotten that you were captured by the slavers of Seven and heading there no long ago. Granted that is neither here nor there since I'll be rich once I have you, even if I only have you after all of this is done."
"Where is she?"
"The cute little bluenette? Why she and her friends are waiting, so if you'll be so kind as to follow me." Juvia had woken up but was still groggy as she helped Juvia walk to wherever Bora was leading them too. Lucy tried to reach Kaleb only to find that the link was gone, so she sent Plue to them in hopes that someone could understand the messages she would be sending to them through him. Lucy watched as Bora walked through a wall, leaving Juvia to stand watch and try to reach Kaleb as well, so entered on her own accord. Tied to chairs were Wendy and Carla, the latter had her mouth taped shut and a magic canceling collar around her neck. Her normally pristine white coat was matted with mud, twigs, and leaves and she looked to be in a deep sleep while Wendy sat in the chair next to her.
"What have you done to her!" Lucy looked at the young woman with tears in her eyes. Wendy must have either been heavily sedated or had a very powerful charm on her because she looked through Lucy, as if she wasn't even there, her normally vibrant brown sugar eyes were hollow.
"It's just a new charm that I acquired after I stumbled upon the two of them in Magnolia one day. I knew that you would eventually find out that I had her and come to rescue her, after all, Fairy Tail would do anything for their family. Well, maybe not anymore since your family is scattered across all of Earthland now," Bora threw in Lucy's face before chuckling as she flinched at his words. "The cat put up quite a fight, but as you well remember my charms are powerful, and it didn't take long for them to fall victim. I was pleasantly surprised to have captured a dragon slayer, they fetch a pretty penny if you have the balls to go after them. Queen Sydelle wants powerful women in her army and I knew Wendy would fetch a high price and eventually draw you out. Imagine my surprise to see you walking through the market with the annoying water mage and tall, dark, and handsome. She has cost me many women since she joined up with the Rune Knights, but no matter. I will have you!"
Bora threw flames at Lucy who ducked and rolled out of the way then called forth her Aquarius stardress form to combat his fires with her water. Before Lucy had a chance to get up Bora threw another set of flames at her which she dodged again, rolling into a crouching position and sending a jet stream at water towards him. She hit him in the chest and Bora was propelled into the closest wall, leaving a small dent from the impact. Bora groaned as he pushed himself off the wall, cracking his neck before setting his sights on Lucy.
"Well well well. Looks like someone has grown in magical strength since the last time we met, not quite the damsel anymore," Bora placed his hands over one another as purple flames started to engulf them. "You're not the only one who learned some new tricks." Bora rapidly fired balls of fire at Lucy who did her best to evade them until the last one caught her left shoulder, but she managed to stay upright. The attack had burned her pretty good and she was bleeding from the wound slightly. Lucy sent several waves of water at Bora, who took to the offensive and was trying not to be caught in the waves.
While Lucy kept Bora at bay she called out Cancer to release Wendy and Carla from the chairs they were restrained in and asked him to get them out to where Juvia was waiting for her, and hopefully some other members from the team. Cancer gently picked Carla up and Wendy limped alongside him, but before she could make it out the door the young slayer was hit from behind from a fireball.
"WENDY!" Lucy screamed and ran towards her. She felt several fireballs connect with her back, but she pushed the pain out of her mind so she could make it to Wendy to protect her. Lucy called Cancer back into the room and summoned Virgo to keep Bora busy for as long as they could, she summoned Gemini who turned into Cristoff to heal Wendy fast so that she could make it out.
"Lu-cy," Wendy whispered as she rolled over. "I didn't think anyone would find me. He hit me from behind with a charm and I couldn't do anything about it. I watched as my body did what he wanted it to do, but I was too weak to stop it." Wendy cried as she held onto Lucy for dear life. "The past three months have been hell. I wasn't raped since I was a virgin and Joya was willing to pay extra for me to be kept that way, but I watched so many other people Lucy. So many women get caught, forced against their wishes and I couldn't help!" Lucy had Gemini Cristoff go help in the fight against Bora as she cradled Wendy, trying to calm the frantic girl.
"You're safe now Wendy. The Thunder Legion, Cobra, and Juvia are all here to ensure you are safe, along with the other women that were captured. I have some friends from White Sea helping us as well. We will have ample time to talk once we're all safe, but for now, I need you to go through that wall to where Juvia is at with Carla. I need you safe so that I can kill this bastard once and for all," Wendy numbly nodded at the older blonde as she walked to the wall and gave one last glance at Lucy before she disappeared from her sight. Juvia was waiting with Evergreen, who was holding Carla, and easily scooped the small mage into her arms. Wendy had never been happier to see the water mage in all her life, knowing that Lucy had things well handled she let herself succumb to the blackness that was calling to her stressed body.
"Cristoff!" Evergreen yelled when she saw the large lunar slayer run past an open door. The lunar slayer doubled back and entered the room with and approached Evergreen. His hand hovered over Carla's forehead as he scanned her for any injuries and healing the minor cuts and scrapes she had. He moved over to the small slayer that was resting in the arms of another bluenette, repeating the process but coming up with no injuries. The three older mages turned their heads to the next room when they heard Lucy yell, the wall exploded in bright light and bricks as Bora was driven through it.
Lucy stepped over the rubble that Bora created when he went through the wall. Listening to Wendy cry her heart out, feeling how scared she was, had pissed Lucy off. She had changed her stardress to her Leo form, deciding that hand-to-hand combat would make her feel much better. Bora had exchanged some blows with her and had sent Cancer back, but between her, Virgo, and Gemini Cristoff he was hard-pressed to stay on the defensive, let alone fight back.
"You will regret the day you decided to harm my SISTER!" Lucy punched Bora in the gut with her regulus impact, sending him through the wall. She was currently marching over the wounded mage, spirits following closely behind her, as she picked him up out of the stone debris and tossed him to Virgo. "Take him to your prison Virgo and make sure he receives his punishment. As long as he stays alive I don't care what you do to him." Virgo smiled creepily at the stunned mage as the two of them vanished. "Thanks for all your help Gemini!" She smiled as Cristoff turned back into Gemi and Mini giggling as they whispered something into Lucy's ear, causing their keyholder to gasp. The twins were still giggling as they poofed back to their homeworld and Lucy ran towards Juvia, pulling Wendy into her arms and holding her close. Wendy curled around Lucy and the tension in her body all but melted at the familiar smell of the older woman.
"Well that explains why Lucy was healed," Cristoff murmured as he watched Lucy holding the young slayer, crying in relief. "You're hurt too Lucy, let me . . ."
"NO! I am fine, besides we need to make sure that everyone else is alright. Juvia and I couldn't hear anyone once we came into this room. Evergreen, when did you get here?"
"Thane teleported me here. Kaleb figured the more familiar female faces Wendy knew the better she'd feel." Evergreen adjusted Carla in her arms a little to get her comfortable. "The other team members were trapped in the control room, well until Emzadi melted a wall." Cristoff rolled his eyes, knowing his sister was just showing off a little. "Laxus and Cobra decided to stay here to make sure we all made it out in one piece, while the others are rounding up the women and slave traders. The Rune Knights are helping with the majority of that, plus Arman and Farron are here with the Boscan airship and helping get the women situated."
"That's good. How about we head out too? I am more than done with this shithole," Lucy smiled weakly at her three friends.
"Can I carry Wendy for you, please Lucy?" Cristoff's concerned eyes met her tired chocolate ones and she gave in to his request since there would be no arguing with the large lunar slayer. The small team walked out the door and were greeted with Cobra and Laxus taking down a couple of weak mages that were still hanging around. Cobra turned around and smiled at Evergreen, who blushed, before turning his sights on a battered Lucy still in a torn black dress. Laxus was pushing past him, making a beeline towards his mate.
"Blondie you ok?" Laxus was standing before her but not touching her, much to his dragon's disappointment.
"Yea I'm mostly ok. I have Gemini transform into Cris, so he could heal Wendy before he healed the worst part of my wounds. However, I'm exhausted . . . too many spirits out," Lucy yawned as she took the two steps to Laxus and rested her head against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. Lucy knew she'd normally be the color of a tomato holding onto her crush, but right now she couldn't have given two shits about it. He had a way of making Lucy feel safe which was what she desperately wanted right now.
"I've got ya Blondie," Laxus lifted Lucy up bridal style and turned to head out to where the other would be waiting for them. Lucy rested her head against his broad shoulder, hand over where his heart was. She knew they'd have to talk about her crush on him with him, knew he had a mate out there, but decided to let the world fade away and enjoyed his warmth as she fell asleep. Laxus felt a smile tug at the corner of his lips as he felt Lucy's breathing even out, elated that she had trusted him enough to fall asleep.
"Juvia would like to head back with everyone. Lucy said that Juvia would be able to find a home with White Sea where Lucy is planning on becoming a mage." Three heads whipped around at her statement so fast that she almost got whiplash. "Did Juvia say something wrong?"
"Lucy wanted to stay at White Sea?" Laxus dared to utter to the water mage.
"That is what Lucy told Juvia. Lucy said that the master would welcome Juvia with open arms. Was Lucy not telling Juvia the truth?" the rain woman looked over at Lucy who was smiling while being held by Laxus.
"White Sea is more than willing to accept a mage such as you into our guild," Cristoff smiled, shuffling Wendy around a bit so he could place a hand on Juvia's exposed shoulder. His dragon raised its head at the skin on skin contact, purring as it curled up to get some sleep. "I'll introduce you to my brother Kaleb, the guild master, and you can ask him what he thinks. He'll want to see your magic skills to rank you, but I don't see why he wouldn't agree to bring you into the guild." Cristoff was not prepared to have Juvia launch herself at his person, repeatedly saying thank you while avoiding hurting Wendy. Again his dragon purred at the contact from the water mage, which was confusing Cristoff.
"Juvia is very thankful for your help lunar dragon slayer!"
"Please call me Cristoff." Juvia's cheeks reddened a bit, but she smiled nonetheless.
"Let's get going," the gruff voice of Laxus cut through.
"Of course Laxus. We'll need to help those women out once we get Lucy, Wendy, and Carla. Juvia will lead the way to the clearing since all of you have your hands full." It didn't take long for the small team to make its way through the dense forest with Juvia using her water slicer to clear a path for them. The remaining mages were met with a cheer from their families as Arman had Cristoff, Evergreen, and Laxus take the three women to the medical bay. Juvia walked around to each woman and started to hydrate them with her magic and when she looked up to see Cristoff standing there staring at her she smiled and waived at him before carrying on. Juvia was happy to have succeeded in this mission, to once again be with Lucy, and the possbility of starting a new life with a new guild had her constantly smiling. Life was starting to look up for her.
Italian Translations
Stellina - little star
On another note . . . I have decided to put WLS on hold for a bit. I am having a hard time flipping from one story to another and since I am closer to finishing up Alpha Keys I want to focus on that and hopefully finish it off in the next couple weeks. Then I'll be able to focus on WLS hardcore and give it the attention it deserves! No more writing two stories at once for this gal.
-brit